PRINCE FREDERICK, Md. — Maryland Department of Commerce Secretary Harry Coker Jr. toured Calvert County on Sept. 25, 2025, focusing on clean energy production, agritourism operations, manufacturing facilities and economic development projects. The full-day visit, hosted by the Calvert County Board of County Commissioners and the Department of Economic Development, included stops at key sites to emphasize the county’s contributions to state growth in multiple sectors.
The itinerary began at Constellation Energy’s Calvert Cliffs Nuclear Power Plant in Lusby, where officials showcased the facility’s role in generating carbon-free electricity. The plant, which started construction in 1968, features two pressurized water reactors with Unit 1 entering commercial service on May 8, 1975, and Unit 2 on April 1, 1977. It produces up to 1,790 megawatts, sufficient to supply power to more than 1.3 million homes, and accounts for about 40 percent of Maryland’s domestically produced energy. The site employs approximately 700 workers and contributes over $22 million in annual local taxes. Nuclear Regulatory Commission approvals in 2000 extended operating licenses to 2034 for Unit 1 and 2036 for Unit 2, supporting long-term clean energy goals under state mandates for renewable and low-carbon sources. Procedures for plant operations involve rigorous safety protocols, including containment structures designed to withstand extreme events, with regular inspections by federal overseers to ensure compliance with atomic energy regulations.
Following the energy site, the group proceeded to a farm-to-table lunch at Tettimer’s Produce Stand at Rolling Acres Farm in Port Republic. The property, family-owned since the 1940s, spans generations and has transitioned from livestock, tobacco and grain to a focus on produce sales and seasonal attractions. Located at 3305 Saint Leonard Road, the farm operates daily during peak seasons, offering pick-your-own pumpkins, corn mazes and other agritourism activities that draw visitors and support local revenue. Such enterprises align with Calvert County’s agricultural preservation efforts, where farms qualify for grants through programs like the Maryland Agricultural and Resource-Based Industry Development Corporation, providing low-interest loans for diversification into tourism-related ventures. Legal frameworks under the county’s zoning ordinance allow agritourism as a permitted use on preserved lands, requiring site plans for events to minimize impacts on neighboring properties.
The tour then shifted to a driving overview of Prince Frederick, with views of the nearly completed Calvert County Administration Building and the upcoming Armory Pavilion and Armory Square retail development. Armory Square, a 110,000-square-foot mixed-use project at 429 Solomons Island Road, is anchored by retailers including ALDI, Michaels and Sneade’s Ace Home Center, with additional pads for in-line shops and medical offices. Developed by MCB Real Estate and Armory Square LLC, the $40 million initiative broke ground in 2024 and is projected to generate 300 jobs while adding $300,000 in annual tax revenue. The adjacent Armory Pavilion, approved for site development in June 2025, will host year-round activities such as farmers markets, community events and arts gatherings, featuring a multi-use structure connected to surrounding retail. Construction follows a public works agreement with the county, involving road improvements and utility upgrades completed by September 2025. This redevelopment repurposes the former Calvert Middle School and armory site under a master plan emphasizing walkable commercial spaces to bolster local commerce.
Next, participants visited Victor Stanley in Dunkirk, a manufacturer of sustainable site furnishings recognized with the 2024 Maryland Manufacturing Stars Award. Founded in 1962, the company at 2103 Brickhouse Road produces benches, litter receptacles and other outdoor products using recycled materials, exporting globally while maintaining operations in the county. The award, presented by the Regional Manufacturing Institute of Maryland on Nov. 14, 2024, honored CEO Emma Skalka for leadership in a program celebrating industry contributions across the state. Manufacturing in Calvert benefits from state incentives like the Partnership for Workforce Quality program, offering grants for employee training to enhance competitiveness.
The day concluded at Rod ‘N’ Reel Resort in Chesapeake Beach with a business roundtable, a tour of new hotel and conference facilities, and a networking reception at The Dock. The resort, at 4160 Mears Ave., completed its expansion in 2025, adding modern rooms and event spaces like the Chesapeake Ballroom, which accommodates up to 300 guests for meetings and receptions. The Boardroom suits smaller corporate sessions with coastal views, while the overall venue supports tourism through 24-hour gaming, marinas and live entertainment. New accommodations opened in September 2025, enhancing capacity for conferences under county tourism promotion efforts.
This visit aligns with Calvert County’s 2026-2031 Economic Development Strategic Plan, developed by Sage Policy Group, which prioritizes sectors like clean energy and agritourism to drive growth. The county, with a population supporting diverse industries, has seen 12 new businesses open and eight expansions from February to May 2025. State partnerships facilitate investments, as outlined in the plan’s action items for infrastructure and workforce development.
Calvert County’s economic landscape traces to its agricultural roots in the 17th century, evolving with the addition of nuclear energy in the 1970s and recent manufacturing expansions.
