P.O. Box 142 — Sykesville, MD 21784

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Reprint from Gazette

September 5, 2003

Delegate Susan Krebs has been pretty busy since the last congressional session. Together with FACC, she's been actively involved in bringing attention to state road priorities (Routes 26 & 32) in our district and working with the County on achieving critical action steps. She's enthusiastically supported the economic development opportunities that the Warfield project in Sykesville has for our district, taking every opportunity to call attention to its merit. Krebs has also been busy preparing for the next legislative session, while directing numerous citizens' calls for action on issues like pedestrian access and traffic concerns here in Eldersburg.

Krebs recently also took a post on the Maryland Advisory Commission on Manufacturing Competitiveness. The Commission looks at the manufacturing segment of Maryland and tries to study what Maryland does in regulation to help or hurt industry. Through her new position, Krebs will be travelling around Maryland to bimonthly meetings that afford business the opportunity to meet with government, and for government officials to realize the impact of regulations business.

Krebs additionally serves on the Economic Matters Committee in Annapolis, which includes the business regulation, unemployment insurance, and workers' compensation subcommittees. Sykesville/Eldersburg does not have much manufacturing to speak of, Krebs said, but she said efforts are underway by the county to try and get a tenant for the old London Fog building in Eldersburg, which would provide a further avenue for manufacturing. Manufacturing would not necessarily be a component of the possibilities for the new Warfield Complex, she said, although there is nearby Northrop Grumman.

Speaking of Warfield, a $4 million loan from the Maryland Economic Development Assistance Fund has just put the project into high gear. "It is a huge step forward," said town Mayor Jonathan Herman. Together with the $3.1 million pledged from the state to build the Warfields entrance at the intersection just north of Cooper Drive along Route 32, more than $7.5 million has now been dedicated to Warfield's infrastructure between the County and State. This is in addition to the more than $20 million Maryland is spending to develop the State Police complex proximate to the site.

Herman said that the $4 million will pay for the renovation of one of the 12 historic buildings in Warfield, as well as exterior work on three others around it, and parking lots, lighting, and access roads. The 96-acre Warfield parcel was once part of Springfield State Hospital. Now, it is intended to lure new jobs into Carroll County, as part of a business complex. About 176,000 square feet of potential commercial space exists in the historic buildings, and could be used both for businesses and ancillary uses like daycare and food service, according to the state. At its finish, Warfield will offer about 570,000 square feet of office space. "A lot is about to happen at Warfield," said Herman.

Please join FACC when we welcome Del. Krebs and Mayor Herman to our meeting tonight as our featured speakers. Frank Johnson, Special Asst. to Julia Gouge, will also be briefly reviewing recent news and activities from the Commissioners Office. Please note that FACC meetings dates have changed. Meetings are now being held the 2nd Thursday of each month at 7:30 in the Freedom Christian Church at Carrolltown Center. More information can be found at www.freedomareacitizens.org.

*Gazette reporter, Karen Stysley contributed to this article.