LEONARDTOWN, Md. — A decade-long effort to establish an agriculture center in Southern Maryland has come to an end after the St. Mary’s County commissioners unanimously voted to terminate the project. The proposed Regional Agricultural Center (RAC), which aimed to provide a butcher shop cut-and-wrap facility, apprenticeship programs, job training, and a distribution hub, faced escalating costs and regulatory delays, ultimately rendering it unfeasible.
The RAC was originally envisioned to bolster Southern Maryland’s agricultural industry by creating new market opportunities and fostering economic growth. The proposed facility was to be located on county-owned property on New Market Turner Road, near “The Barns at New Market” and less than four miles from the region’s only USDA-certified slaughterhouse, West Forty Market.
Commissioner Mike Hewitt (R) explained that the project’s scope had grown too broad over time. “We were initially going to do processing of slaughtered product for sale to the public,” Hewitt said. “Well, it got to be, ‘Let’s bring in produce, let’s bring in seafood, let’s bring in classrooms and teach some ways to make this more efficient.’ We were like, ‘OK, it doesn’t sound too bad,’ but it got too broad.”
The COVID-19 pandemic, rising construction costs, and delays further compounded the challenges. By August 2024, estimates for the project ranged from $7.6 million for a 6,141-square-foot building to $8.1 million for an 8,580-square-foot facility—far exceeding the initial $1 million budget. The commissioners sought funding from other counties represented by the Southern Maryland Agricultural Development Commission (SMADC), but no additional contributions were forthcoming.
Department of Economic Development Director Chris Kaselemis acknowledged the challenges, stating, “Termination has nothing to do with a lack of effort on the county’s part. We have worked very hard to make it work and explore creative solutions.”
Despite the decision to abandon the centralized RAC model, the project’s core objectives remain intact. TCCSMD and SMADC will issue a Request for Proposals (RFP) to private businesses for a butcher shop cut-and-wrap facility—a priority service of the original plan. Several private entities have already expressed interest in the grant opportunity, reflecting a continued commitment to advancing the region’s agricultural industry.
“The great news here is that we’re going to get a meat processor in the county,” Hewitt said, adding that he hoped a grant could assist the facility in obtaining USDA certification. “When the county was going to do the RAC, we were going to be competing against people like this who are selling products from their farms. I think this is a great idea and a great move forward.”
The decision to end the RAC project will also free up nearly $2.6 million in county bond authority. While the original vision has evolved, local officials reaffirmed their dedication to supporting Southern Maryland farmers and businesses.
“Though the original vision for the RAC has evolved, our mission remains steadfast: to strengthen and expand the agricultural industry in Southern Maryland,” the joint statement concluded.
