News about business attraction, job creation, and economic impact studies

BDC named in Maryland Planning Commission Pilot Program

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Bainbridge Logistics Center Selected as State Pilot Project to Streamline Permitting and Boost Economic Growth

PORT DEPOSIT, MD — The Bainbridge Development Corporation is proud to announce that the Bainbridge Logistics Center has been selected as one of six pilot projects under the Maryland Coordinated Permitting Review Council, a new initiative launched by Governor Wes Moore to streamline and expedite the state’s permitting process.

Established through the Governor’s 2024 economic competitiveness executive order, the council aims to accelerate permitting reviews for major projects across Maryland—helping communities attract investment, create jobs, and strengthen local economies.

“We refuse to let red tape stand between our state and a growing economy,” said Governor Moore. “By streamlining the permitting process, we will help get shovels in the ground faster and supercharge our agenda to create pathways to work, wages, and wealth for all Marylanders.”

The Bainbridge Logistics Center, located on the historic site of the former U.S. Naval Training Center in Port Deposit, represents a key component of Cecil County’s economic revitalization. The mixed-use redevelopment will transform the 1,200-acre site into a modern logistics hub, creating new jobs and positioning the region as a destination for industrial innovation.

“The selection of Bainbridge Logistics Center as a pilot project sends a powerful message: the Moore administration is committed to accelerating economic growth, attracting private investment, and creating high-quality jobs in Maryland,” said Kate Nolan Bryden, Senior Vice President at MRP Industrial, the project’s private development partner. “Bainbridge is being reactivated as an economic engine, and after nearly 50 years, is once again poised to transform Port Deposit into a hub of opportunity and prosperity.”

The pilot projects—spanning industries from agritourism and residential development to data centers and historic revitalization—reflect the state’s commitment to coordinated, transparent, and efficient permitting. Interagency teams will work closely with project leaders to identify challenges, share data, and refine best practices for future projects across Maryland.

As part of this statewide effort, Bainbridge’s inclusion reinforces the project’s importance not only to Cecil County but also to Maryland’s broader strategy of fostering innovation, investment, and workforce development.

The Coordinated Permitting Review Council will meet monthly throughout the pilot stage, with updates available via the Maryland Department of Planning at planning.maryland.gov.

BDC Attends MEDA’S Inaugural Maryland Main Street Conference

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FREDERICK, MD: The BDC headed west this past week to join the state’s leaders in Main Street. With presentations from Frederick’s mayor and county executive, Maryland Secretary of Housing, and other professionals and leaders the passion and enthusiasm at 2024 Main Street Maryland Conference: Creating a Local & Lovable Main Street Experience was contagious! This event delivered a day filled with captivating presentations, extraordinary experiences, and fresh perspectives that inspired and energized our BDC team! Executive Director Toni Sprenkle and Executive Assistant Jen Peterson enjoyed the historic Weinberg Center in Frederick, MD where the conference was held. They joined Maryland Main Street managers, board members, community teams, volunteers, advocates, and economic and community developers for an immersive experience and discovered the remarkable assets of Maryland’s local communities while participating in important and engaging conversations that will shape the future of our own Cecil County Main Streets in exciting ways!

 

Port Deposit Chamber of Commerce in Full Swing: Looking Back at a Summer of Awesome Events

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This summer Port Deposit Chamber of Commerce was in full swing! We have worked hard to support the Town of Port Deposit, and represent every small business in our town and surrounding communities! From our first annual monthly Farmers Market to our Summer Concert Series along the Susquehanna River to bringing the Cecil County Chamber of Commerce downtown through Cecil Collective and supporting the Pirate Takeover. Our fun and engaging mixers and networking events aimed to connect and support our business owners in any way that we can to help them thrive and grow. It was a busy and fulfilling summer!

Executive Director Toni Sprenkle serves as the president of the Port Deposit Chamber of Commerce as well as a board member for Cecil County Chamber of Commerce

Executive Assistant Jen Peterson serves as secretary of Port Deposit Chamber of Commerce.

 

BDC Partners with Fellow Young Leaders of MEDA to Volunteer at The Maryland Food Bank.

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The USDA defines “food insecurity” as the limited or uncertain availability of nutritionally adequate and safe foods or limited or uncertain ability to acquire acceptable foods in socially acceptable ways. We define it as an unacceptable situation where individuals or households do not have the resources to provide enough food to allow for a healthy and active lifestyle.

 

One in 3 Marylanders faces food insecurity. Looking at Maryland Food Bank’s Hunger Map, Cecil County is one of the larger impacted counties when it comes to facing hunger. Executive Director Toni Sprenkle and Executive Assistant Jen Peterson want to do their part to ensure that no person in our wonderful state faces uncertainty when it comes to food or feeding their families. Our BDC team was honored to serve for an afternoon alongside of other MEDA Young Leaders to assist the Maryland Food Bank keep their shelves stocked for families that depend on them.

 

 

 

BDC Attends Maryland’s Smart Growth Summit

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Executive Director Toni Sprenkle and Executive Assistant Jen Peterson were in Annapolis this past week to attend Maryland’s Smart Growth Summit held at Crowne Plaza. The ladies of BDC spent the day with legislators, community and municipal leaders, economic development professionals and national experts leading the charge for smart and sustainable growth in our communities. BDC participated in a breakout group and robust discussion to move Maryland in a direction of equity and opportunity for all members of our communities. The goal is to have equal access to homeownership, community resources and business opportunities attainable by everyone. Meeting with legislative members who were engaged and eager to hear from the group in attendance fostered an environment for real conversations to happen about the direction of growth for our state. Toni and Jen were able to contribute ideas and facilitate a collaborative discussion for important topics such as funding for minority business owners, homebuyer assistance that is accessible to all members of a community, planning partnerships that involve actual residents of the community and many more ideas that will hopefully drive the growth of Maryland in an equitable direction, with abundant opportunities for everyone.

 

BDC and Great Wolf Lodge Guest Speakers at Cecil County Chamber of Commerce Event

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Executive Assistant Jen Peterson speaks to Chamber members on the positive economic impacts that Bainbridge will bring to the town of Port Deposit and surrounding communities. She was able to network with other businesses and leaders and answer questions relating to the project as well as give updates on progress.

 

BDC Releases Tome School Report

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The BDC released the Tome School Strategic Plan during the Port Deposit Town Council meeting on September 20, 2016. This plan comes as the deliverable from a 2 year project in conjunction with the U.S Department of Agriculture Rural Business Development Grant, which took a close look at unique opportunities and constraints of the Tome School Campus, including historical easements, regional marketplace, market and economic data, environmental issues, land topography, etc.

In addition to the presentation of the Report, BDC Chair Mike Pugh also provided an update on Navy activities, a Federal Grant Project and Infrastructure progress.

The Tome School report can be access by clicking here, or also under the “Documents” tab on our website. Any questions can be directed to Toni Lozzi at TLOZZI@bainbridgedev.org.

Tome School RFQ deadline extended

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The BDC will accept bids for the Tome School feasibility study up until March 7, 2016. This is an extension from the original deadline of February 29, 2016. Extended bids will still be required to meet the timeline outlined in the RFQ.

Contact Project Coordinator, Toni Lozzi, with questions.

410-378-9200

BDC releases RFQ for Tome School Project

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The BDC has released a Request for Quote for a feasbility study of the future development of the National Historic Tome School for Boys. All quotes are DUE FEBRUARY 29, 2016 by 5PM Eastern Time via eletronic submission.

All details are listed in the RFQ (attached here). Any questions should be directed to Toni Lozzi at 410-378-9200 or TLOZZI@bainbridgedev.org

Tome School Activities Report

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The follow activities report was presented in public session at the Board of Director’s meeting on September 21, 2015.

Tome Tours

We began hosting the tours in May and continued to have them held one day per month to encourage folks to safely access the campus. Each tour was taken around the entire campus and given an over history of tome and details about each of the structures. Participants ranged from young children to the elderly. I purposefully kept the groups smaller so that we could allow participants to get off of the bus and see the buildings up closer while still being able to oversee where everyone was. There were a lot of locals that came to the tours, but we also have people come from as far as DC and Philadelphia. A lot of photographers jumped at the opportunity to capture the buildings and even share those photos with the BDC. In July, a gentlemen attended the tour that worked as an officer for NAPS and had has office set in Memorial Hall. His office was down in the bottom level of the building, so I did not feel comfortable taking him down there due to the fire, but we were able to capture the same photograph of him on the steps of Memorial Hall just as he did on his last day at NAPS. From May to August, we had over 200 participants join the tours.

Tome Alumni Luncheon​

Following the establishment of the Tome summer tours, a representative from the Tome School Alumni Organization reached out to me about hosting a tour of some kind for the folks from Tome School. Initially, I planned an entire weekend event for them, but the Tome folks thought that might be too much for a first event and that we should keep it simpler. Instead, we decided to have a tour followed by a lunch in the garden. Our initial projection was 50-75 participants, and we ended up with over 125! The day started in the late morning with a check-in and then busing everyone back to the campus. The Italian Garden was set-up to enjoy a catered lunch provided by the Old Smokehouse in Port Deposit. We had a large tent in the top-center of the garden where everyone came through to receive their food and refreshments, and then tables were set up throughout the shaded area of the garden for lunch. We had to adjust our day’s activities due to the larger number of folks, and allow for 2 groups to be in the garden while the 3rd would take the tour. We took a bus tour around the campus seeing of the buildings and sharing the history of Tome School. Once in the garden, folks were allowed to walk about and see the beauty of the campus, all while being supervised by our volunteers to ensure no one was wandering or going to buildings. We had a lot of current Tome School students and teachers come with their families, we also had descendants of Tome alumni and former military men. One gentlemen was 94 years old, he had come from Annapolis to participate with his granddaughter. And he remembered his way around the base as if he had just left. Luckily we were able to cover the entire cost of the event from ticket sales alone, while also keeping the cost at a minimal $10 per person. We actually came in under budget, which is always a great thing! That is due in large part to the donations we received. The VFW allowed for us to use their tables, chairs and tent for no charge, the Cecil Truck drivers provided us a driver and bus for the day, and I was able to rope in my family to help run the event. It was a great success and we received excellent feedback in the survey we sent. One a 5 point scale, the average score for the overall event was a 4.63 and the score for recommending the event to friends and family was a 4.81! A lot of folks asked if we could do this yearly. If the Board supports holding the event again next year, I suggest we hold it in the fall for cooler weather and an even more breathtaking scenery.

Bainbridge Sunday

Sunday September 13 the Bainbridge Museum held their annual Bainbridge Sunday event. This year the museum provided buses for the tours which made a wonderful difference because it allowed for me to talk to the participants directly rather than driving and talking! We took 5 rounds of tours, the first two tours having 2 full buses, the final 3 having just one bus, totaling 201 participants for the event! The day ran very smoothly, thanks to the excellent support from the Museum. There was a gentlemen in his 90’s that trained over 1000 men while at Bainbridge. And he still remembered where each regiment was during the operating days. As usual, folks returning back were shocked to see that the once boisterous NTCB was open land. But everyone was very thankful for the opportunity to come back.

WAVES

Early in the summer, a former WAVE contacted me that they were holding their reunion in Lancaster PA September 13-15 and asked if they would be able to take a tour of the property. After Board approval, I let them know that it would be great to have them. On Tuesday September 15, 2 busses full of former WAVES came to Port Deposit for the day. While one bus was taking the tour, the other was downtown seeing all the treasures at the Museum. Almost none of them had been back to the property since they left and while they knew it was gone they were so shocked to see it empty. Luckily, their barracks, Hunter Hall, is still standing and they were extremely excited to see it still there, hidden slightly behind trees. We took them by the old “grinder”, which was their drill field. They said they call it that because they marched so much they ground their feet into the cement.The women shared with me stories of boot camp, what daily life was like, the only time they got to go on liberty (Lancaster, which is why they held their reunion there), what they transitioned into after boot camp and why they enlisted to begin with. While driving through their “neck of the woods”, and by the grinder, they started to sing their old navy songs that they sang while marching. They also remembered their identification numbers and did a sound off on the bus. The women were wonderful and so thankful to be allowed back. IT was an amazing experience for me to get to spend time so closely with these women and hear their stories. Often while running tours I had to handle everything and don’t get to converse with the folks and hear their stories as much, so this was a wonderful surprise. Plus, it was the first time I have ever had ANY WAVES. And their stories are much different to hear then the former Navy men. In total, there were a little under 100 women that came. After both tours were finished, I sent all the women to Lee’s Landing for a wonderful lunch and shared some spots in town for them to see while they enjoyed their last 2 hours in Port.