PRINCE FREDERICK, Md. — Calvert County Commissioner Todd Ireland joined the Department of Economic Development for a ribbon-cutting ceremony marking the opening of Henson Vinyl on Nov. 6 at 254 Merrimac Ct. The event highlighted the launch of the locally owned custom printing shop, operated by Jessica Henson, a Prince Frederick resident and Patuxent High School graduate.
Henson Vinyl offers personalized apparel and accessories, including shirts, hats, cups and necklaces, along with direct-to-film transfers for vibrant, durable designs. The business emphasizes quality materials and creative options tailored to individual needs, such as event swag for local sports teams or branded items for county festivals. Henson, who previously worked at Sport Clips in the area, started the venture to fill a gap in affordable, high-end customization for Southern Maryland residents. Customers can reach the shop at (410) 610-9017 or through its site focused on premium transfers.
Ireland, serving as an at-large commissioner since December 2022 after a 28-year career with the county sheriff’s office, commended the addition as a boost to local entrepreneurship. The Department of Economic Development organized the 1 p.m. event to spotlight small business milestones, part of its ongoing efforts to connect new operators with community resources.
Henson Vinyl joins a wave of recent openings in Calvert County, where the commercial tax base grew by 4 percent in fiscal year 2025 through targeted incentives. The county’s Department of Economic Development tracks expansions quarterly, listing more than a dozen new ventures this year alone, from food trucks in Dunkirk to tech consultancies in Lusby. These additions support job creation, with small businesses accounting for 85 percent of private-sector employment in the region.
Calvert’s approach to nurturing startups involves streamlined permitting and no-cost counseling. Entrepreneurs like Henson can access free one-on-one sessions through the department, covering topics from financial planning to marketing. The Maryland Small Business Development Center’s Southern Region, hosted at the College of Southern Maryland, provides workshops on everything from grant applications to e-commerce setup, serving over 500 clients annually in Calvert, Charles and St. Mary’s counties. In June 2025, the BGE Energizing Small Business Grants program awarded $20,000 to eligible applicants, prioritizing energy-efficient upgrades for shops like vinyl printers that rely on heavy equipment.
Grant opportunities extend further. The Faire Small Business Grant, open through Dec. 31, 2025, offers $5,000 to independent retailers launched between 2024 and mid-2025, helping cover inventory or signage costs. Henson Vinyl qualified under similar criteria, aligning with Calvert’s push for resilient operations amid rising material prices. The county also runs the Shop Small Y’all campaign during holidays, promoting local spots via digital maps and pop-up markets at venues like the Calvert Marine Museum.
This momentum ties into Calvert County’s 5-Year Economic Growth Plan for 2026-2031, unveiled July 22, 2025, by economist Anirban Basu of Sage Policy Group. Developed with input from residents, the College of Southern Maryland and Economic Development Director Julie Oberg, the blueprint targets diversification without eroding rural appeal. Strategies include a Fast-Track Business Permitting Program to cut approval times by 30 percent, tax abatements for first-year operations and repurposing vacant spaces into co-working hubs. For small businesses, the plan advocates partnerships for workforce training, such as apprenticeships in digital printing through local vocational programs.
Tourism integration forms another pillar, with agritourism events like the October 2025 Farm Tour in Owings and Dunkirk showcasing vendor collaborations. Henson Vinyl could supply custom merchandise for these, tapping into the county’s 1.2 million annual visitors drawn to sites like Flag Ponds Nature Park. Rural preservation remains central, balancing growth against population plateaus—Calvert’s 107,000 residents grew just 0.8 percent since 2020—through broadband expansions and affordable housing pushes to retain young professionals.
Commissioner Ireland has prioritized these initiatives since his election. His background in criminal investigations informs a focus on community safety, including business security grants. The board designated Nov. 3-7, 2025, as Small Business Week, underscoring the sector’s role in generating $2.1 billion in annual economic output for Calvert.
For startups, the process starts with the department’s online portal for zoning checks and license applications, typically processed in 45 days. Henson navigated this efficiently, securing occupancy approval in under a month. The Merrimac Ct location, in a mixed-use park off Route 4, benefits from high visibility near county offices and shopping centers, easing foot traffic for walk-in orders.
Calvert’s economy, rooted in maritime heritage since the 1600s, has evolved from tobacco farming to a mix of government, healthcare and retail jobs. The naval presence at Patuxent River Naval Air Station, 20 miles south, funnels demand for custom gear among 23,000 employees. Henson Vinyl positions itself here, offering quick-turnaround prints for military events or school fundraisers at Patuxent High, Henson’s alma mater.
As Calvert eyes 2031, the plan sets goals for 500 new jobs in targeted sectors, including creative services. Henson’s operation, employing three initially, exemplifies this trajectory, contributing to a network where small firms drive innovation without urban sprawl.
