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May 19, 2022

The Talbot Spy

The nonprofit e-newspaper for the Talbot County Community

Commerce Commerce Notes

Easton Utilities Holds CPR Training for Employees

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With a continuous focus on safety, Easton Utilities recently offered CPR (Cardiopulmonary Resuscitation) to all employees. Paramedics from Talbot County Department of Emergency Services instructed the course and certified 94 employees on CPR and AED training over several days. “With employees spread across our entire service territory every day, we realize how beneficial it is to have them trained for an emergency that could happen any time,” stated Hugh E. Grunden, President and CEO of Easton Utilities.

Lieutenant/Paramedic Greg Fries, Paramedic Rachael Cox, and Emergency Medical Technician (EMT) TC Colbourne led the training which included videos, verbal information, and hands-on practice with CPR manikins. “This valuable skill can save someone’s life, and actually did at Easton Utilities back in July of 2016,” added Grunden. “I credit the training provided by Talbot County for their role in this positive outcome as we had just completed a training some months prior to the incident.”

According to the American Heart Association, every year more than 350,000 instances of cardiac arrest occur outside of US hospitals. CPR and AED training, along with general safety education keep people informed and prepared. “CPR classes are instrumental to improving the survivability from cardiac arrest and everyone has the ability to learn how to perform CPR and assist before EMS arrives,” said Paramedic Fries. “We are thankful for this partnership with Easton Utilities and their commitment to the community and their staff.” Talbot EMS is happy to provide this training for any business or community organization – for more information visit talbotdes.org.

Easton Utilities is a community-owned, not-for-profit utility and telecommunications company operating the Electric, Natural Gas, Water, Wastewater, Cable Television, and Internet services for the Town of Easton and portions of the surrounding area. Easton Velocity, a service of Easton Utilities, is committed to keeping our community connected and current with a variety of service offerings designed to meet the needs of both residential and commercial customers.

Tidewater Inn Announces Grand Reopening and Ribbon Cutting for Terrasse Spa

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Tidewater Inn announces the grand reopening and official ribbon cutting of Terrasse Spa on Thursday, May 19, 2022, at 4:30 p.m. Terrasse Spa is located inside the Tidewater Inn at 101 East Dover Street, Easton, Maryland.

Terrasse Spa initially opened in June 2020 in the midst of the global pandemic. “It is time to come together as a community and truly celebrate Terrasse Spa as we officially open our doors to neighbors and guests,” said Steve Book, Director of Operations.

Experience a full-service luxury spa in the heart of downtown Easton. Terrasse Spa features four treatment rooms offering the finest treatments including restorative massage, rejuvenating facials, and invigorating body treatments. The Tidewater Inn had the vision to create a spa destination that awakens the senses by combining tranquility, relaxation, and hospitality for locals and hotel guests.

Guests enter through a beautiful enclosed terrace on Dover Street into a tranquil reception area. Following check-in, guests are escorted to the women’s and men’s locker rooms to change into custom Frette robes before making their way to the relaxation lounge. Terrasse’s relaxation lounge features multiple seating clusters featuring chaise lounges shaped to follow the body’s contours and padded to cradle in comfort. Guests can enjoy light refreshments and snacks in the relaxation lounge before and after spa treatments. Licensed massage therapists and estheticians use the highest quality products for each service.

A ribbon-cutting event will take place on Thursday, May 19 at 4:30 p.m. to celebrate the grand reopening of Terrasse Spa.

Terrasse Spa is hiring licensed massage therapists. Earn an average of $65 per hour as a massage therapist and extensive employee benefits including health insurance, 401k match, paid time off, accrued sick days, employee discounts, and more. Contact Director of Operations, Steve Book at sbook@tidewaterinn.com.

For more information, please visit www.tidewaterinn.com/terrasse-spa or call 410.822.1300. Terrasse Spa and Tidewater Inn are located at 101 East Dover Street, Easton, MD 21601.

Author and Former NFL Running Back Johnathan Holifield Headlines Talbot County Business Appreciation Summit

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Former NFL running back Johnathan Holifield, author of The Future Economy and Inclusive Competitiveness, will headline the Talbot County Business Appreciation Summit on May 6.

Johnathan Holifield

Holifield holds a bachelor’s degree in political science and earned a law degree from the University of Cincinnati College of Law. He was an assistant prosecuting attorney, founding vice president of New Economy Enterprise at the Cincinnati Chamber of Commerce, CEO of the Cleveland Urban League, and founding executive director of CincyTech.

An economic development consultant with more than 20 years of experience, Holifield was named White House Advisor on Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCUs) in 2017. He played college football at West Virginia University and played professionally for the Cincinnati Bengals.

Holifield coined the term “inclusive competitiveness.” In his recent book, he shares a groundbreaking approach for achieving shared prosperity that blends traditional community development with leading national economic competitiveness forces.

“Last year, we held our business appreciation Summit virtually,” says Cassandra Vanhooser, director of Talbot County Economic Development and Tourism. “For 2022, we have raised the bar and are back in person. Those who attend are in for a real treat.”

The department hosts the summit in partnership with the Talbot County Economic Development Commission. The annual event, now in its 13th year, celebrates the local business community and honors businesses, projects, and individuals who have made a significant impact in the community.

The breakfast and awards presentation begins at 8 a.m. at the Tidewater Inn’s Gold Ballroom. Tickets for the breakfast are $45 per person. Space is limited and advance purchase is required.

Immediately following the awards ceremony, Talbot County will host a reception for USDA Rural Development State Director David Baker at The Bullitt House, across the street from the Tidewater Inn. No ticket is required for this portion of the program.

At 11:30 a.m., Holifield will continue the summit with a round table discussion on Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion at the Building African American Minds (BAAM) Athletic Center located at 31 Jowite Street. This portion of the summit is free and open to the public.

Tickets can be purchased at TalbotWork.org. The Talbot County Business Appreciation Summit is presented in part by APG Chesapeake. Provident State Bank and the Talbot County Chamber of Commerce are silver level sponsors.

Qlarant Announces New Partnership with Techne LLC

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Qlarant Inc., a national company known for its achievements in the program integrity technology arena, announced today that Techne LLC is joining Qlarant’s reseller program for the popular risk identification, risk visualization and risk resolution analytics software platform, RIViR. Qlarant has increased its focus on the analytics and data mining industry and has officially brought Techne on board to support the RIViR program designed to identify and resolve risk in almost any industry.

“By bringing Techne into the reseller program, we are able to broaden our reach into new markets while expanding our existing ones,” says, Will Mapp, III, Chief Technology Officer for Qlarant. “It enables us to continue our outreach efforts while enabling our internal team to focus on our customer’s needs and requirements. It’s a win-win for both companies.”

Qlarant and Techne have worked together on several RIViR projects over the years. In fact, the founders of Techne were brought in early as testers for the platform and helped to automate the program.  Over time, Techne became more and more familiar with RIViR and its capabilities.

Cole Luong, Chief Technology Officer of Techne adds, “The more we knew about RIViR, the more we were able to see the opportunities this platform represents. This is a very robust and effective analytics program, and we are quite pleased to become an official partner.”  When asked what he likes most about RIViR, Mr. Luong noted, “the people of Qlarant eat, live, and breathe this industry and they have built a remarkable tool. The ability to customize this modular system makes it easy to use. People plus the technology make all the difference.”  Techne noted they will focus their efforts on the federal government, specifically the Department of Commerce and Department of Veterans Affairs.

About Techne The founders of Techne have spent over 15 years in the IT consulting arena supporting private and public sectors. The company helps streamline communication from silos of teams, supports program leadership, aids integration of technical leadership, and provides clear and detailed requirements while investing/developing resources. Techne provides solutions consisting of 2 areas:  Project Management (PM) and Integration & Test (I&T).  Techne I&T provides focus on solution engineering, requirements definition, architecture, development and testing, while PM focuses on team planning, project schedule, quality management, and customer reports.  Techne is a 8(a) Certified Minority–Owned Small Business. For more information, visit www.technocorporation.com

About Qlarant
Qlarant is a not- for-profit nationally respected leader in fighting fraud, waste & abuse, improving program quality, and optimizing performance. The company uses subject matter experts and innovative data science and technology to help organizations see risks, solve problems, and seize opportunities. Solutions are customized for state and federal agencies as well as industries across the nation. The Qlarant Foundation is the mission arm of the organization and provides over $400k in annual grants to services provided in under-served communities. Qlarant employs over 500 people and has a 45-year record of accomplishment improving the performance of some of the nation’s most important programs. For more information visit www.qlarant.com or feel free to contact Pat Boos

Easton Airport Walk & Talk Tours Return May 12 & 26

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Easton Airport is excited to invite the public to ‘Walk & Talk’ at the community airport this spring. The event offers the public an on-site tour of the airport with a trek through designated sections of the airfield on May 12 and 26, 2022.

Attendees can pre-register online and plan to join airport management for the walking tour on the designated dates. The event will be informative and engaging, offering a behind the scenes look at airport operations and the business side of aviation. Airport management expects the event will help the community gain a new perspective of the airport, learn about its history, and see how it has become the “Aviation Gateway to the Eastern Shore” over the years.

“The public really seemed to enjoy our 2021 Walk & Talk series and we’ve had many calls asking if we would bring it back this year,” Easton Airport Manager Micah Risher said. “We can’t wait to get back out there to observe operations with our attendees, see aircraft flying, and be open for any questions the public might have.”

The tours will begin at 10 a.m. near the picnic area outside the Easton Airport terminal. The group goes beyond the gates and walks a 1-mile loop to the Easton Air Traffic Control Tower and back. During the walk and conversation, management will make stops to look and take photos at hangars, aircraft, and other equipment that are out. The tour will end back at the terminal where photo-ops with the F-104 Starfighter, donated to Easton Airport by Tom Blair, will be available.

The 2021 Walk & Talk series registered over 150 guests for the opportunity to take the behind-the-scenes tour at the airport. Easton Airport Day 2021 saw the largest crowd ever gathered on the airfield for an event, but folks are still eager to learn more about the airfield and experience it up-close.

“People love being able to walk through the gates during these tours and be where the action is,” Easton Airport Business & Marketing Coordinator Jeff Lankford said. “Folks that have joined us for a tour always seem to walk away with a newfound appreciation for what the airport offers.”

Pre-registration for the event is requested so airport management can share important information prior to arriving. No 4-legged friends are permitted on the tour. Comfortable walking shoes, camera, sunscreen, and weather appropriate clothes are the only other things needed to enjoy a morning on the community airfield. Visit www.eastonairport.com/walk-talk to learn more and register for the upcoming dates.

Easton Airport (ESN) is a general aviation airport located two miles north of historic downtown Easton, Maryland in Talbot County. The airport is owned and operated by Talbot County and provides essential access for aviation enthusiasts, corporate pilots, and local businesses. Easton Airport is one of the busiest general aviation facilities in Maryland, linking Talbot County to the rest of the world. For more information, visit www.eastonairport.com or follow the airport on Facebook and Instagram @EastonAirport.

Ted Book Promoted to Vice President of Easton Velocity

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Easton Utilities announces the promotion of Ted L. Book to Vice President of Easton Velocity, the division providing internet, cable television, phone and advanced network services to over 8,700 customers. “Ted is a driven and dedicated leader with a wealth of experience and technical knowledge making him a great asset to our organization,” stated Hugh E. Grunden, President and CEO of Easton Utilities.

Ted started his career with Easton Utilities in 1997, and over the years has led the distribution, installation, service and maintenance to successfully deliver Easton Velocity services. He was a key contributor to the development and delivery of internet service to Easton back in 1998. He is also responsible for the continuous improvement of the systems by managing multiple facility and technology upgrades. In addition, he oversees network engineering, network operations, and technical support for Easton Velocity.

Ted Book and Hugh Grunden, President & CEO

Ted has been instrumental in planning the system design and strategy for Connect Talbot, the rural broadband project aimed at providing broadband access to the unserved residents and businesses in Talbot County. He will be critical to the implementation of this project over the next several years. “I am fortunate to work with an exceptional team and will be relying on these individuals for their expertise as we carry out this significant project,” stated Book.

Ted holds a BS in Computer Science from Lynchburg College and an MBA from the University of Maryland University College. He is a 2011 graduate of Shore Leadership and currently serves on the board of Maryland Broadband Cooperative. He has volunteered with many youth organizations including AWANA, Easton Little League, and Talbot County Parks & Recreation. He has previously served on the board at Real Life Chapel and currently volunteers for many outreach programs. Currently he resides in Easton and enjoys, boating, golfing and spending time with his wife of 31 years and their five adult children and soon to be daughter-in-law.

Easton Utilities is a community-owned, not-for-profit utility and telecommunications company operating the Electric, Natural Gas, Water, Wastewater, Cable Television, and Internet services for the Town of Easton and portions of the surrounding area. Easton Velocity, a service of Easton Utilities, is committed to keeping our community connected and current with a variety of service offerings designed to meet the needs of both residential and commercial customers.

Easton Utilities Honored with National Award for Outstanding Safety Practices

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Easton Utilities has earned the American Public Power Association’s Safety Award of Excellence for safe operating practices in 2021. The utility earned first place award in the category for utilities with60,000 – 109,999 worker-hours of annual worker exposure.

“In our industry, safety is the top priority,” said Bob Scudder, Chair of APPA’s Safety Committee and Industrial Hygiene and Corporate Risk Manager at Grand River Dam Authority. “This is a commitment that needs to come from the top down and permeate every aspect of operations. These awarded utilities have embraced this priority, and they deserve to be celebrated.”

318 utilities from across the country entered the annual Safety Awards. Entrants were placed in categories according to their number of worker-hours and ranked based on the most incident-free records during 2021. The incidence rate, used to judge entries, is based on the number of work-related reportable injuries or illnesses and the number of worker-hours during 2021, as defined by the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA).

“Easton Utilities values employee safety above all else,” said Andy Ober, Safety Specialist for Easton Utilities. “We all recognize the importance of going home to our families each day; this is what drives our dedication to safety.”

The Safety Awards have been held annually for more than 65 years. APPA is the voice of not-for-profit, community-owned utilities that power 2,000 towns and cities nationwide.

Photo: Eddie Westerfield, Supervisor of Electrical Design and Inspection (L) accepted the award for Easton Utilities and is pictured with the APPA’s Safety Committee and Industrial Hygiene and Corporate Risk Manager at Grand River Dam Authority Bob Scudder (R).

Recently Passed Fiscal Year 2023 Maryland Operating Budget Includes Historic Funding for Rural Communities

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On April 11, 2022, the Maryland Legislature adjourned Sine Die. Among the session’s many accomplishments, the Legislature approved the Fiscal Year 2023 State Operating Budget which included $9,000,000 in funding to support the Rural Maryland Prosperity Investment Fund (RMPIF) – 50% more funding than in previous years. The Rural Maryland Council would like to thank Governor Hogan for appropriating funds to support RMPIF, the Maryland House of Delegates and Maryland Senate for their support, and the numerous individuals and organizations that voiced their strong support for increased rural investment.

“We want to express our gratitude for these important and necessary funds that will be used to invigorate the economies in all of our rural areas,” said RMC Board Chair, John Hartline, “This record funding will expand the reach of our grant programs, allowing for even more positive impacts across rural Maryland and accelerating the recovery of our rural communities from the negative economic effects of COVID-19.”

The Rural Maryland Prosperity Investment Fund targets investment to promote economic prosperity in Maryland’s traditionally disadvantaged and underserved rural communities by sustaining efforts to promote rural regional cooperation, facilitating entrepreneurial activities and supporting key community colleges and nonprofit organizations. This fund will support the Rural Maryland Council’s activities and the Maryland Agricultural Education and Rural Development Assistance Fund (MAERDAF) which provides capacity-building funds to rural nonprofit service providers. It will also support the state’s five rural regional councils, regional infrastructure projects, rural entrepreneurship development, rural community development, and rural health care organizations.

The RMPIF and MAERDAF grant programs have provided substantial amounts of needed opportunities and resources to our rural communities over the years. With the State’s investment, an additional $67 million in federal, local, and private funding has been directed into our rural areas. Overall, the RMPIF program between 2018 and 2021 has resulted in $124 million in economic impact and $40.9 million in employee compensation. The MAERDAF program has provided $12.1 million in additional economic impact and $4.4 million in employee compensation.

The two-phase online grant application process opens on Monday, April 25, 2022 and the Phase 1 – Letter of Intent will be due by Friday, May 20, 2022 at 11:59 pm. The Council will host four grant information sessions this Spring. These information sessions are important opportunities for participants to meet RMC staff and learn about the Council’s two grant programs. An information session will be presented by Zoom teleconference for those who cannot join in-person.

Date Location Address
Wednesday, April 20, 2022, 12:00pm to 2:00pm Zoom Teleconference Zoom Teleconference
Friday, April 22, 2022, 12:00pm to 2:00pm Tri County Council for Southern Maryland 15045 Burnt Store Road, Hughesville, MD 20637
Tuesday, April 26, 2022

12:00pm to 2:00pm

 Thomas Welcome Center, Allegany College 12401 Willowbrook Road

Cumberland, MD 21502
Thursday, April 28, 2022

12:00pm to 2:00pm

 Delmarva Community Services

The Harry & Jeanette Weinberg Intergenerational Center

 108 Chesapeake Street

Cambridge, MD 21613
Monday, May 2, 2022

2:00pm to 4:00pm

 Leading Edge Training Center 2002 Cedar Drive,

Edgewood, MD 21040

Learn more about the grant programs and register for an upcoming grant information session through the following link –  Grant Opportunities (maryland.gov).

The Rural Maryland Council (RMC) operates under the direction of a 40-member executive board in a nonpartisan and nondiscriminatory manner. It serves as the state’s federally designated rural development council and functions as the official voice for rural Maryland. The RMC advocates for rural communities and businesses across the state to flourish and to gain parity to their suburban and urban counterparts. The RMC envisions a future where residents in rural communities are achieving success in education and employment, have access to affordable, quality health care and other vital public services, and live in an environment where natural and cultural resources are being sustained for future generations.

Talbot County Hosts Community Economic Review Work Sessions

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The Talbot County Department of Economic Development and Tourism will host four Community Economic Review Work Sessions to share the economic resiliency toolkit developed in response to the COVID-19 pandemic. The first meeting will take place in Easton on April 7 at 8 a.m. at the Avalon Theatre.

Talbot County officials were part of a group of economic and workforce development professionals led by the Mid-Shore Regional Council and the Tri-County Council of the Lower Eastern Shore who worked with Salisbury University’s Eastern Shore Regional GIS Cooperative (ESRGC) to develop the tools in response to the COVID-19 pandemic. The resiliency toolkit will be discussed along with other information from the ESRGC’s Delmarva Index.

These tools are available to help stakeholders identify challenges facing the region and assist in long-term planning and the development of public policy. While the tools created for the Eastern Shore Economic Recovery Project will have many uses, they give decision makers information to understand long-term trends and anticipate challenges. The U.S. Economic Development Administration, a bureau within the Department of Commerce, funded the project.

“I am excited to share this information with the leaders in our communities,” says Cassandra Vanhooser, director of Talbot County Economic Development and Tourism. “These dashboards hold a wealth of information that can help us better understand our communities and the current economic climate.”

The sessions are free and open to the public. All of the meetings will begin at 8 a.m. The schedule of upcoming meetings is as follows: April 7, Avalon Theatre in Easton; April 21, Trappe Volunteer Fire Department; May 26, Oxford Community Center; and June 23, Chesapeake Bay Maritime Museum Van Lennup Auditorium in St. Michaels.

For more information, call Cassandra Vanhooser at 410-770-8000. For a preview of the Delmarva Index, visit delmarvaindex.org.

BSC Group, LLC Announces New Partners: Angell, Simmons and Walsworth

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BSC Group, LLC, a leading Eastern Shore accounting firm, proudly announces new partners, Brandon K. Angell, Teri K. Simmons and Andrew T. Walsworth. The three long-time managers have a combined 40 years at the firm and are known throughout the region for their dedication to their clients and the community they serve.

“Brandon, Teri and Andrew are a shining example of our dedication to our profession, our clients, and our community as well as our commitment to making our firm a great place to work where young professionals can learn, grow and thrive for the long-term,” said Owner and Managing Partner, Debbie Walsworth. “They truly are leaders in our field and their diverse expertise helps us meet the unique accounting needs of individuals, families and businesses on the Eastern Shore.”

BSC Group, LLC, a leading Eastern Shore accounting firm, proudly announces new partners, Brandon K. Angell, Teri K. Simmons and Andrew T. Walsworth.The three long-time managers have a combined 40 years at the firm and are known throughout the region for their dedication to their clients and the community they serve.

Brandon K. Angell, CPA, has more than 20 years of accounting experience, with a specialization in small business and personal accounting, taxation and outsourced CFO services. He is a graduate of Wilmington University. Angell serves the community as the board chair of Compass Hospice and a board member of the Talbot County Chamber of Commerce.  He resides in Cordova with his wife, Susan, and children, Nicholas and Lily.

Teri K. Simmons, CPA, has been with BSC Group and its predecessors for more than 15 years and has worked in a variety of areas, such as audit and taxation with both business and individual clients. She earned her masters degree in Taxation from the University of Baltimore and completed her undergraduate degree from Salisbury University.   Teri upholds BSC Group’s spirit of volunteerism in her leadership roles with Tidewater Rotary, Junior Achievement, Eastern Shore Land Conservancy and the Talbot County Paramedic Foundation. She lives in Preston with her husband, Brad, and daughter, Olivia.

Andrew T. Walsworth, CPA, is a Certified Construction Industry Financial Professional (CCIFP) in addition to being a licensed CPA. A graduate of James Madison University, he specializes in taxation and works with a variety of business and individual clients. Andrew is the treasurer of the Rotary Club of Easton and Critchlow Adkins Children’s Centers. He lives in Easton with his wife, Courtney.

This partnership announcement is part of the latest chapter for BSC Group, LCC which has provided accounting and financial services to the Eastern Shore since the late 1970s, first as Beatty Satchell & Co., and later as part of CBIZ, a national accounting practice, from 1997 – 2020.

In 2020, the firm made the decision to return to its roots as a regional, public accounting firm, and it was bought by Managing Partner, Debbie Walsworth that August. The firm assumed the name, BSC Group, LLC – a nod to the legacy of Beatty Satchell & Co., and the commitment to clients and the community that has been the hallmark of the firm since its founding.

Since August 2020, BSC Group has completed a strategic planning and branding process and moved to new, more client-friendly, office space located at 114 Bay Street in Easton.

About BSC Group, LCC

BSC Group, LLC prides itself on five decades of service to the Eastern Shore and is a leading accounting firm offering tax planning and preparation, audit, attestation, bookkeeping and outsourced accounting/CFO services to individuals, businesses and non-profit organizations. BSC Group, LLC is committed to providing a client experience that is second to none, by staying ahead of technology, trends, and regulations and by prioritizing being involved to make a positive impact in the community where we live and work. To learn more, please visit www.bscgroupllc.com or call 410-822-6950.