Charles County Commissioners Review Transit, Fiscal Items

Charles County Commissioners met with Maryland Department of Transportation representatives on September 30, 2025, to discuss key infrastructure projects, including updates on the Southern Maryland Rapid Transit Project. The session also covered the replacement of the bridge over Mattawoman Creek on Route 225 and a study for improvements at the Route 301 and Route 228 intersection in Waldorf. The meeting, held in a hybrid format at the county government building in La Plata, included briefings, public hearings and approvals on various fiscal and community matters.

MDOT officials provided an overview of the Southern Maryland Rapid Transit Project, which aims to introduce dedicated bus rapid transit lanes along Route 5/Branch Avenue from the Branch Avenue Metro station in Prince George’s County to White Plains in Charles County. The project, in its planning and environmental linkages study phase, seeks to alleviate congestion, enhance mobility and support economic growth in the region. Public input has been gathered through open houses and surveys, with about $20 million secured for preliminary engineering. The initiative aligns with Maryland’s six-year Consolidated Transportation Program, which proposes $21.5 billion in investments statewide for fiscal years 2026 through 2031, prioritizing safety and multimodal options.

The bridge replacement on Route 225 involves upgrading a culvert over Mattawoman Creek to improve safety and reduce flooding risks. The State Highway Administration plans to resurface the roadway section, with work expected to enhance drainage in this environmentally sensitive area near the Potomac River watershed. Similarly, the intersection study at Route 301 and Route 228 addresses traffic flow in Waldorf, a growing commercial hub. Potential upgrades could include an interchange to handle increasing volume on these major arterials, part of broader efforts to manage suburban expansion in Southern Maryland.

In a briefing, Jim Chandler, director of the Department of Economic Development, and Mark Thompson, chief of commercial development, updated commissioners on their attendance at the second annual Maryland Data Center Summit. Hosted by Kelly Schulz, executive director of the Maryland Tech Council, the event focused on data center regulations, noise and environmental mitigation, and potential fiscal benefits. Discussions touched on industry opportunities, infrastructure challenges and state legislation. The summit, held August 28, 2025, at Maryland Live Casino and Hotel, highlighted Maryland’s push to attract data centers for job growth and revenue, amid the launch of the Data Center Alliance of Maryland. Commissioners raised questions on local impacts, reflecting Charles County’s interest in tech sector expansion along corridors like Route 301.

During public hearings, commissioners addressed a Community Development Block Grant update for the Jude House. The nonprofit received funding to acquire and renovate a property now operating as Robin’s Nest, a recovery housing program for pregnant women and women with children. Ongoing support comes via a Purchase of Care agreement reimbursing $34 per bed nightly, capped at $54,400 annually. The record was closed unanimously. Community Development Block Grants, administered by the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development, fund projects benefiting low- and moderate-income residents, with Maryland allocating portions for housing rehabilitation and community facilities.

Commissioners also voted unanimously to submit a grant application for the Salvation Army to rehabilitate its Waldorf facility at 11690 Doolittle Drive for use as a warming center. The center would provide shelter during extreme weather, serving St. Mary’s, Charles and Calvert counties. Additional actions included adopting Bill 2025-03, correcting citations in the county code for the fire, rescue and emergency medical services tax rate under Chapter 54. The bill adds the Executive Committee of the Charles County Association of Emergency Medical Services as a record keeper for the Length of Service Award Program credits. The tax, levied at $6.4 per $100 of assessed value, funds volunteer companies and squads.

The board approved the 2025 bond issue authorizing $75 million in sales for projects like renovations to Board of Education facilities, environmental services and government improvements. Bonds finance capital needs without immediate tax hikes, with the issue sized based on fiscal projections. Amendments to the Solid Waste Management Plan were adopted, incorporating a glossary, facility details and a private entity amendment process. The plan, covering 2022-2031, guides waste handling in compliance with state requirements, emphasizing recycling and diversion to extend landfill life.

Approval items encompassed a $68,820 budget transfer for landfill maintenance on solar flares, extraction wells and insurance; a letter supporting the Port Tobacco Players’ grant application to the Maryland State Arts Council for community theater programs; a $3.2 million fiscal 2025 inter-category transfer for higher-than-anticipated expenses; a $5.8 million fiscal 2026 transfer for the Board of Education to cover rolled-over purchase orders; lease renewal with Health Partners for a Crain Highway property serving low-income healthcare; a land donation on Mount Eagle Lane for an emergency communications tower; and acquisition of land on Thomas Edison Place for landfill expansion.

These actions reflect Charles County’s focus on infrastructure, fiscal stewardship and community support. The county, with about 170,000 residents, balances growth in areas like Waldorf with environmental and public service needs. Maryland’s transportation program emphasizes regional connectivity, while local grants aid vulnerable populations amid ongoing recovery efforts. Commissioners’ decisions align with state mandates for transparent budgeting and planning, ensuring resources for Southern Maryland’s evolving demands.