Talbot County announces 2025 Community Impact Award winners

Talbot County business, government, and community leaders gathered on Thursday, April 10, 2025, in the Tidewater Inn’s Gold Ballroom for the 18th Talbot County Business Appreciation Summit and presentation of the 2025 Community Impact Awards.

The event included a keynote address from the President and CEO of the Federal Reserve Bank of Richmond Tom Barkin, who is known for his engagement in the bank’s Fifth District, which covers Maryland, Washington, D.C., Virginia, West Virginia, North Carolina, and South Carolina. Barkin discussed the impact of tariffs, immigration policies, and federal government actions on the U.S. economy.

“I worked for McKinsey for 30 years, helping companies raise or lower prices,” Barkin said. “I think I can do something different, which is try to bring the real world to what’s happening in the economy.”

Noting that economic data often shifts minute by minute, Barkin summarized his talk with a weather analogy. “It’s really hard to drive when it’s foggy,” he said. Current federal economic policies have created a sense of instability that has caused business optimism and consumer sentiment to falter. The outcome Barkin is seeing is that businesses are pausing expansion plans until the path forward becomes more clear.

Following Barkin’s address, the 2025 Community Impact Awards winners were announced, including Bluepoint Hospitality Group; Building African American Minds (BAAM) Academic Center Project; The Arc Central Chesapeake Region’s Port Street Commons Project; The Oaks Waterfront Hotel major renovation and reopening; and the University of Maryland Shore Regional Medical Center collaboration among UM Shore Regional Health, Talbot County, the Town of Easton, and Easton Utilities. Civic and elected leader Walter E. Chase, Sr. won in the individual award category.

“Our mission is to foster business growth by providing access to valuable resources and by recognizing the exceptional contributions of local business leaders,” says Cassandra Vanhooser, director of Talbot County Economic Development and Tourism. “The Community Impact Awards serve as a sincere expression of our gratitude to those who choose to do business in Talbot County and help strengthen our local economy.”

A video presentation highlighted each award winner’s recent accomplishments, followed by the presentation of government citations and an engraved pewter tray, handcrafted in Easton by Salisbury Pewter, along with brief comments from the recipients.

Rooted in Community, Driven by Excellence
Under the bold and thoughtful leadership of owner Paul Prager, Bluepoint Hospitality has transformed downtown Easton into a vibrant hub of culinary, cultural, and economic activity — and it all started with a few empty storefronts and a vision. “They needed an investor that was prepared to buy in, rejuvenate these buildings, renovate them, restore them, give them life,” Prager recalls of the early days.

Through deep community roots and an unwavering commitment to excellence, Bluepoint has become a major local employer, cultural catalyst, and source of civic pride. Executive Chef Harley Peet — a James Beard Award winner and, in Prager’s words, “a spectacular man” — has brought heart and artistry to the table, making every meal a reflection of the company’s ethos: thoughtful, soulful, and unforgettable.

Beyond restaurants, Bluepoint has revived landmarks like the Prager Auditorium, opened beloved shops like Flying Cloud Booksellers, and even ventured into future projects like a vineyard and the relaunch of the Washington Street Pub. What sets Bluepoint apart is its community-first mindset and a culture of doing things the right way — from flower beds to fine dining.

A Vision Realized
Two decades ago, Dina and Derick Daly launched a bold vision from a simple yet powerful question: How do we help the youth who need it most? That spark ignited what would become Building African American Minds (BAAM), an organization now woven into the fabric of Talbot County, Maryland.

The recently opened BAAM Academic Center—a 25,000-square-foot hub in Easton—is the latest milestone in this journey. More than a school, it’s a living, breathing community space offering educational programs, workforce development, wellness initiatives, and even licensed kitchen space for budding entrepreneurs.

What began as an after-school program for African American boys has grown into a campus of opportunity. Adjacent to the BAAM Athletic Center and future expansion sites, the Academic Center reflects BAAM’s commitment to holistic, lifelong support. From GED classes and adult education in the evenings to plans for hands-on trade classrooms, BAAM is building futures from the ground up.

 “Talbot County believed in us from the beginning,” says BAAM Executive Director Dina Daly. “Now we have a place that reflects that belief—a place where futures are being built every single day.”

With the grand opening of Port Street Commons in Easton, The Arc Central Chesapeake Region has brought a bold vision to life — one rooted in inclusion, equity, and opportunity for all. Led by President and CEO Jonathon Rondeau, the new campus blends The Arc’s Eastern Shore headquarters with nine units of affordable housing, offering critical services and stable homes for individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities.

“Port Street Commons is about creating a community where everyone belongs,” Rondeau says. “It’s a place where people with disabilities — and really all people — can live, work, and thrive together.”

This is just the beginning for an organization on the move. With more developments like Easton Crossing and Silo Court in Easton already in motion, The Arc is reimagining what community development can look like on the Shore. Behavioral health, employment support, housing, and connection — it’s all part of a holistic strategy. And the ripple effect is real: 63% of the $11 million Port Street Commons project was completed by local subcontractors, fueling both impact and economic growth.

After a sweeping $10 million renovation, The Oaks Waterfront Hotel has reemerged as a luxurious retreat that gracefully bridges its rustic roots with refined modernity. Once a quiet country inn known as The Pasadena Inn, the storied property has passed through generations of ownership, including a stretch as a beloved wedding venue. But it wasn’t until Tracy and Scott Wagner, along with their daughter Quin and son-in-law Andy Warner, took over in 2022 that the vision truly transformed.

“We saw what it could be,” says Warner. “It was beautiful, but it needed love, vision, and a serious investment.” That investment turned into a full-scale revival — gutting the original structure, adding four elegant cottages, and meticulously redesigning every inch of the property. The result was 15-room boutique destination, reopened in May 2023, that feels as fresh and polished as it is steeped in charm.

On weekends, The Oaks becomes an exclusive wedding haven where couples take over the entire property for intimate, unforgettable celebrations. During the week, it attracts guests from up and down the East Coast looking for serenity by the water, high-touch service, and impeccable style. But it’s the personal touches — Warner and his wife on-site daily, his mother overseeing Guest Services, the in-laws walking the grounds weekly — that give the hotel its soul.

After more than two decades of planning and perseverance, the University of Maryland Shore Regional Medical Center is rising just off Route 50 in Easton — a game-changing milestone for rural healthcare on Maryland’s Eastern Shore. More than just bricks and mortar, this state-of-the-art facility represents a powerful partnership between University of Maryland Shore Regional Health and the Talbot County Council, the Town of Easton, and Easton Utilities.

“Our partnerships with the Talbot County Council, the Easton Town Council, Easton Utilities, and others have been absolutely critical,” says Ken Kozel, President and CEO of UM Shore Regional Health. “Without their support, we wouldn’t be where we are today.”

The project isn’t just transforming healthcare — it’s shaping the region’s future. Designed as a hub for integrated rural health services, the center will anchor a sustainable model of care while also serving as an economic engine for the Mid-Shore. From infrastructure improvements like the realignment of Route 662 to the upcoming vertical construction phase, this effort reflects true local collaboration and long-term vision. As Kozel puts it, “This is more than a hospital. It’s a lifeline. And it’s going to be here for generations.”

At 90 years old, Walter E. Chase Sr. is still driving progress on Maryland’s Eastern Shore with the same energy and purpose that launched his decades of public service. As chairman of the Mid-Shore Regional Council for more than 12 years, Chase has helped steer transformative economic development across Talbot, Dorchester, and Caroline counties—creating jobs, funding innovation, and turning challenges into opportunity.

“The main thing is developing jobs,” Chase says, but with the weight of a man who’s spent a lifetime doing just that.

Chase’s leadership story began long before the Council—with a police badge in 1958 and a steady rise to becoming Easton’s first African American Police Chief. He’s broken barriers as a commissioner in Trappe and served on countless local boards, all while staying deeply grounded in community needs. For Chase, every project is personal, every initiative part of a bigger picture. “We’re building more than projects,” he affirms. “We’re building futures.”

The Talbot County Department of Economic Development and Tourism’s mission is to enhance and promote a business-friendly environment for current and prospective enterprises and to advocate for policies that support and strengthen the economic vitality of Talbot County. The department’s vision for Talbot County is built on the principles of strong communities, empowered businesses, and innovative solutions.

Business owners and managers are encouraged to receive the department’s Talbot Works newsletter and breaking business news by subscribing at www.talbotworks.org. The department can also be reached at 410-770-8058 or by visiting their office at 215 Bay Street, Easton, Md.