Page 30 The Dispatch/Maryland Coast Dispatch July 12, 2013 Regional Digest Shore Projects OK’d BERLIN – The Maryland Board of Public Works last week approved a measure adding 248 acres of environmentally sensitive land to its permanently protected rural landscape and eliminated 24 developmental rights in two large tracts in the state, including one in Worcester County. The board approved a measure to preserve the Aydelotte property in Worcester that will permanently protect 154 acres and prevent the development of 11 lots in the Coastal Bays Rural Legacy Area. The easement ensures that farmland in the Chincoteague Bay watershed in Worcester will be preserved and sensitive living and natural resources are protected. The property will be held jointly by the Worcester County Commissioners and the U.S. Department of Agriculture. The Rural Legacy Area totals 27,510 acres, of which 14,000 are currently protected. “Through the Rural Legacy program, we are not only protecting Maryland’s beautiful countryside and important natural areas, we are ensuring that our farming communities will continue to have the land and resources necessary to work and provide for their families,” said Gov. Martin O’Malley. During the same meeting, the BPW approved a $32,400 Program Open Space grant to Wicomico County for the development of a 100-acre site near Hebron into a community park with multiple sports fields and a variety of amenities. The first phase includes engineering, design and site preparation. New Town Center Development Celebrated In OC Town Center developers Peck and Patti Miller, center, are joined by tenants and Greater Ocean City Chamber of Commerce officials at yesterday’s ribbon-cutting ceremony for the new commercial development on 67th Street. Photo by Travis Brown By TRAVIS BROWN STAFF WRITER Emergency Meeting Set OCEAN CITY – The quarterly meeting of the Ocean City Local Emergency Planning Committee (LEPC) will be held at 1 p.m. on Thursday, July 25, in the second-floor training room of the Public Safety Building. Lt. Col. John E. Henderson of the Civil Air Patrol will give an overview on the capabilities and operations of the Civil Air Patrol both during day-to-day operations, emergency operations and recovery operations after a disaster. This presentation will not only be beneficial to residents and visitors of Ocean City, but also to the surrounding communities before, during and after disasters. “It’s important to stay informed and stay prepared,” said, Ocean City Emergency Services Director Joseph Theobald. “We hope our employees, residents and visitors will take advantage of the opportunity to learn something new that might aide them during a disaster.” Delegate Urges Quicker Gun Purchase Reviews POCOMOKE – Delegate Mike McDermott (R-38B), a caSEE NEXT PAGE OCEAN CITY – The first loan to come out of Worcester County’s new Small Business Loan program was awarded this week to the Kite Loft at 67th Street. The loan coincided with the official grand opening of the new 67th Street Town Center. The Kite Loft owners Jay and Mary Lynn Knerr were awarded a $64,000 small business loan through the county’s new program, which is funded entirely by revenue drawn from Maryland Casino proceeds. With 1.5 percent of the money from all casino proceeds being made available to small, minority and female owned businesses, County Economic Development Director Bill Badger explained that this first loan is just the beginning. “This morning we actually settled two [more] transactions. Our target was to try to place about $400,000 in our market,” said Badger. “And with the two transactions that we’ve just completed, that’s about $160,000.” County Commissioner Louise Gulyas, the representative for Ocean City, said that she was glad to see resort businesses like the Kite Loft jumping at the chance to expand or improve their store through loans funded by casino proceeds. “I think that it’s wonderful for the entrepreneurs to have a source for small business,” she said. “And I really am a promoter of small businesses.” With the Kite Loft and the two unnamed businesses already onboard, Badger is optimistic about Worcester meeting its goal of supplying $400,000 in loans to small businesses by the end of the year. While any business with less than 500 employees can apply for a loan, Badger underlined that those in close proximity to the Ocean Downs Casino on Route 589 are given a special consideration for access to the funds. “I think that we’re off to a really good start. The reality is, that with the whole pot of money, 50 percent Worcester County and Anne Arundel Economic Development Corporation (AAEDC) officials present the first Video Lottery Terminal loan check awarded by the county, in partnership with AAEDC, to The Kite Loft owners Jay and Mary Lynn Knerr at their new store in the 67th Street Town Center in Ocean City. Pictured, from left, are Economic Development Director Bill Badger, AADC Vice President Steve Primosch, Mary Lynn and Jay Knerr, Worcester County Commissioner Louise Gulyas and Ocean City Councilwoman Mary Knight. Submitted Photo of it is targeted towards businesses within 10 miles of a casino,” he said. “If we generate more demand here, we can get all of that money in our market. What I’m trying to do is get the word out to our companies that are looking to grow and expand. It’s all about creating jobs.” Worcester County is serving as a fund manager for the Small Business Loan program and partnered with Anne Arundel County in their initial application to the state. After it was revealed that Worcester would be a fund manager for the program, Badger confirmed that there was a “flurry of activity” with his office being contacted by between 25 and 30 businesses interested in the program, meaning that the three that have already been awarded could be just the tip of the iceberg. And though early interest was promising, Badger said that there are a lot more qualified businesses in the county that could be applying for the loans. “I’m excited, but it’s something that we have to do every day; to remind the community that it’s here and that it’s an opportunity for them to get some financing for business expansion,” he said. The $64,000 awarded to the Kite Loft will likely be in line with what a small business might receive, though Badger said that under special circumstances a loan of up to $1 million could be made. Businesses outside of that 10-mile radius around Ocean Downs shouldn’t be disheartened either, he added, as their applications will still be given consideration. Between the loans and the grand opening of the 67th Street Town Center, it appeared to be a good day for entrepreneurs in Worcester County. The new Town Center includes a Ron Jon Surf Shop, Alexis Jade Boutique, Atlantic Gold, Kite Loft, Dolle’s Candyland, Longboard Café, Summer House Trading Co., Olde English Fish, Chips and Chicken, Sweet Frog Frozen Yogurt and the Market. Center owners Peck and Patti Miller thanked all of the businesses for making the grand opening a reality and signing up before the complex was even built. “We really, really thank the business owners that have taken a chance with the Town Center, not having a building to look at but believing that it was going to work,” said Patti Miller.