GOOD NEWS in Crisfield – October 2017 Newsletter

Hello, good people,
Here we are into October and at the end of the “season” in Crisfield, and we are still finding *Good News* happening now as well as things already getting in motion for the 2018 Season. Below are the details I’m able to share:
ARTS & ENTERTAINMENT DISTRICT:

• Crisfield made another step of progress last week when Steven Skerritt-Davis, the Program Director for the Maryland State Arts Council, spoke before the Mayor and Council about the Arts & Entertainment Program and application process. This is the first such meeting before the Council, but Jen Rafter, the city’s grant writer, has held several meetings with the Somerset County Arts Council and others in the community about forming an A&E District in Crisfield that would likely include all of uptown and perhaps part of the downtown area. The exact boundaries haven’t been decided yet, but we do know there is good support in the community to see this move forward. It will likely come before City Council for a vote around the first of the year because February 1st is the deadline for beginning the application process by sending a letter of intent to apply. There are two primary benefits to having an Arts & Entertainment District: One is that the property owner would get a Real Property Tax Credit that would encourage renovation while discounting the property taxes on the improvements. Another benefit is that the program gives artists a reduction in state income tax for those working and selling in the district. These incentives would be substantial for those who convert the property into one of the eligible types of artistic work such as painting or carving, dance or performance, creation of original jewelry, clothing or design, etc. These types of businesses appeal to tourists who would purchase or support the activities being offered, along with Crisfield’s residents.

JANES ISLAND STATE PARK:

• The number of visitors to Janes Island State Park annually has now risen past the 100,000 mark. The park has become a favorite vacation spot and is one of the top paddle trails for kayaking according to Trip Advisor. In fact, 92% of visitors rate the park as “excellent.” I understand that’s a higher rating than Disney World gets! I remember just a few years ago, the annual visitor tally was 70,000-80,000. Now the figures for 2016 show 102,000 visitors. That’s A LOT of people coming within five minutes of Crisfield’s business district. Having activities and shops in an Arts & Entertainment District would appeal to many of those who travel to Janes Island State Park each year. Many of the park’s visitors currently come into town for groceries at Food Lion or seafood at Linton’s. These same people and others would come further into town if there was more going on. Besides getting groceries, many more would come into town for dining out, shopping, or live entertainment if it were available and if they knew about it.  The park is only a mile from Food Lion and two miles or five minutes from uptown or downtown.  For a town of 2700 to have 102,000 visitors just minutes away is a major opportunity. As it stands, the average visitor at the park spends $68 in the surrounding area, thus bringing $5,654,891 to Crisfield businesses each year.  With more to offer, many will spend more, stay longer, and come back. In short, the park provides a huge opportunity for Crisfield to market to and attract some of its 100,000+ visitors each year. As we move forward with new businesses, more activities and events, and a marketing plan, we will attract more of the park’s guests.

SOMERSET COUNTY ARTS COUNCIL:

• The Somerset County Arts Council in partnership with WBYC radio and the City of Crisfield did an excellent job of creating the Passport to Crisfield booklet that promoted Crisfield businesses as well as organizing and marketing the 4th Saturday Bay Strolls for the 2017 season. The last of the six Bay Strolls will be held on Saturday, October 28. According to volunteer Carol Heck, the program will be expanded in 2018, and I commend the Arts Council and its volunteers for filling a need in Crisfield for music, food, and local artists at the City Dock. From marketing to implementation, the events were well done. Kudos to the organizers!

JAVA JAY’S:

• Java Jay’s is looking good with the signage and painting that has been done on the building uptown along with the wall art crabs painted by local artist Robin Daniels. Owner Jay Tawes has secured a premium coffee and is preparing to open soon. It hasn’t been easy or cheap, but Jay is determined to make it a place that locals and visitors will enjoy. 

GCAC WALL ART:

• Artist Robin Daniels has completed the wall art done uptown for the Greater Crisfield Action Coalition with permission by the building’s owner, Cary Slipper. Robin added the numbers 51815 on one of the buoys to memorialize the date that GCAC started – May 18, 2015. She also added “Uniquely Crisfield” to the piece, a name that has been trademarked by GCAC and fits with the vision “for Crisfield to be the number one unique tourist destination on the  Eastern Shore.” The work done on Java Jay’s, Jay’s Laundromat next door, and the two sections of wall art done by Robin have created a spark of momentum and color to uptown that we hope will lead to further revitalization. I do know there are three serious buyers looking at uptown property for purchase and renovation. It comes at a good time because almost all available property downtown is in use now that Johnny’s Sweets is coming where the Blue Crab Cafe was, and Tim and Doris’ is coming where Nachyo Taco was. Once things get further in motion, it will be possible to connect the downtown and uptown by a shuttle and/or golf cart rentals. I share the deep desire of the people to see uptown come to life again, maybe not in the same way as before, but even better!

PROSPECTUS:

• Working with GCAC as part of the GCAC Advisor Network, Frances Martinez Myers drafted a 63 page Prospectus on Crisfield that can be used to promote Crisfield to potential investors, developers, businesses, and retirees. The draft includes sections on the Greater Crisfield Area’s strengths and opportunities, its demographics and location in relation to metropolitan areas in the region, and Maryland tax incentive and tax credit programs. As far as I know, this will be the first Prospectus Crisfield has ever had.  GCAC will be seeking input on the draft from City officials as well as economic development professionals. Once the editing is complete for the first edition, it will be available online. In addition, a limited number of hard copies will be printed and made available to the City, Danny Thompson at the Somerset County Economic Development office and similarly focused entities in the greater area including area realtors. With Frances’ assistance, GCAC will be proactive in creating a strategy to identify entities and individuals who are in the process of assessing geographic areas for their business expansion or establishment or who are exploring areas for retirement or second homes.  The Prospectus will be a useful tool during the decision-making process.  Frances has 39 years’ experience in the real estate and relocation industry focused on providing corporate relocation services for companies and their employees globally and has been involved extensively in economic business development and supportive site selection services for major corporations.   During her career she was named by Realtor Magazine as one of real estate’s 25 most influential thought leaders, by Hispanic Business as one of the top 100 most influential Hispanics in the United States, and by The Five State Institute as one of their Top 10 Women in the Mortgage and Housing Industry.   Frances and her husband Jon bought a home in Crisfield in 2006 and became full time residents in December 2013 when she retired.  We are fortunate to have her assistance with this project.

VISITOR GUIDE AND BROCHURES:

• GCAC is pleased to announce that we will update and print at least 10,000 copies of the Crisfield brochure for the 2018 season, thanks to a $3,000 donation from the Crisfield American Legion Post #16. The new brochure will include an updated map with new businesses in Crisfield along with a calendar of events. Besides making the brochures available around town and regional visitor centers, we will distribute a large amount to the Ocean City Chamber of Commerce, some of the OC hotels, and especially the Ocean City Convention Center & Visitor Center. In the past, they have said they will take as many brochures on Crisfield as they can get. In fact, they were delighted to get the brochures in 2015 when they were last updated and said, “Oh my gosh! Yes, we want brochures on Crisfield. We get questions about Crisfield all the time, and we have nothing to give out.” As it turned out, they distributed hundreds each week during the 2015 season. Ocean City is a big part of our target market because the 8 million visitors they attract each year are only an hour’s drive away from Crisfield. Of those who visit, some will come back, some will come back many times, and some will end up living here. Just ask Paul and Isabelle Regester. That’s exactly what happened to them, and they love it here. The more we grow as a tourist destination, the more this will happen!

WATER’S EDGE PROPERTY SALE:

• I understand that two large parcels of land next to Water’s Edge Townhouses sold at auction for $650,000 in September. This is another indicator that property values are going up, considering the land and marina at Tangier Sound sold for only $287,000 a few months ago. It will be interesting to see what the buyer will do with the property. It is attractive on several counts: it is near the little boat harbor, it is walking distance from the beach and pier, and it is only a couple of minutes from the hospital, banks, the post office, and Food Lion. A nice property for a residential development.

VORTEX MARINE:

• Vortex Marine is using the old Stewart Shipyard property on Seventh Street as a staging yard and office for the Smith Island Dredging Project. According to the Construction Operations Superintendent, Ken Lago, this is a six month project which currently employs 7 workers and will add 9 more as things progress. Ken, who is from Alabama, has hired workers from the local area including Princess Anne and Mount Vernon, but also from New Mexico, Texas, and North and South Carolina. He will be bidding on other projects as well, and may be staying longer. I asked him what he thought of Crisfield, and he said, “It’s a nice little town. The people are as friendly as anywhere.” He likes the Eastern Shore and feels comfortable here. He confirmed what many of us say: Among our greatest strengths are the goodness of the people and the peaceful lifestyle.

HANDY’S 100 YEAR ANNIVERSARY:

• Last week I attended the celebration of the 100 Year Anniversary of the Handy International Company on 7th Street in Crisfield.  It is their 100th year of processing soft shell crabs from the Chesapeake Bay.  Starting their soft shell processing operation in 1917, soft shell crabs are now one of America’s favorite delicacies.  Handy’s is one of the largest employers in Crisfield with 50 fulltime employees year-round and  another 15 added during the season. How many companies last 1 year, 5 years, or 10 years, let alone 100 years?! It’s a remarkable achievement. I asked Chris Owens, the Manager of Fresh Sales, what the secret to their longevity has been. Without hesitation, he said their focus on “quality.” I congratulate Handy’s for their business success, and wish them many more anniversaries to come.

HOME ELEVATION PROJECT APPROVAL:

• The Somerset County Long Term Recovery Committee has been waiting for final approval to go forward with elevating up to 10 properties in Crisfield in the next 12 months through a federal grant from FEMA for almost $1 million. A delay had been caused by an error made by one of the government partners and required an appeal process to clear the grant for release. Kim Hopkins, Construction Manager for SCLTRC, learned this week that two of the properties have been approved and the remaining approvals are being expedited.  Pastor Phil Huber is to be commended for his persistence in seeking help to resolve this matter for Crisfield. As a result of this news, Kim can start work immediately on the new elevations. This is great news for Crisfield and Somerset County because this grant paves the way for future flood hazard mitigation projects if FEMA funds are available. Praise be to God for the positive outcome!

GCAC AND LONG TERM RECOVERY COMMITTEE SIGN AGREEMENT:

• In more good news, I am happy to report that at their September Board meeting, the Somerset County Long Term Recovery Committee unanimously agreed to form a partnership with the Greater Crisfield Action Coalition as defined in a Memorandum of Understanding. Earlier in September, the GCAC Board unanimously agreed as well. The MOU states that the two organizations will collaborate and share resources on projects, particularly those involving housing, with SCLRTC taking the lead. Joe Pinto, Chair of the SCLTRC stated that, “Much of the success of the Somerset County Long Term Recovery Committee in assisting households badly affected by Sandy can be attributed to partnerships formed by the Committee.  The partnership with GCAC is an extremely positive action that will greatly assist the SCLTRC in furthering the recovery effort by building affordable housing. This partnership allows us to maximize the expertise and resources in both groups.”

CARVEL HALL:

• City officials are continuing to consider an amendment to the Zoning Code that would permit the generation of electricity from a biomass product on property zoned Light Industrial, such as the proposed Cleanbay Renewables manufacturing facility at Carvel Hall. After a well attended public hearing, the City asked for and received written answers to the questions raised, which are being reviewed. There is also the possibility of visiting 1 or 2 sites that have similar operations before a decision is made on the zoning change. If the zoning change is approved, the project would go through many regulatory authorities and permitting approvals such as the City of Crisfield, Somerset County, the U.S. Department of Agriculture Natural Resources Conservation Service, the Maryland Public Service Commission, the Maryland Department of the Environment, the Maryland Department of Agriculture, etc. before it could become operational. According to City Manager Rick Pollitt, if the zoning change is made, in order for the project to move forward at Carvel Hall, “There would be many more public meetings and input sessions still to come, starting with the Planning Commission, before the first shovel of ground is moved.”

PRESENTATION TO THE CITY:

• On September 13, GCAC gave a presentation on its 3 most recent projects: First, Chet Cornman, Media Consultant for WBOC-TV, reported on the success of the webcam and its impact in promoting Crisfield to WBOC’s viewing audience of 500,000. The webcam is considered the best webcam of the eight that WBOC has, and people view it not only on the news or weather programs, but they also go online to view it where it can be viewed from anywhere. Second, artist Robin Daniels shared how the wall art project began and expressed her joy in being able to help beautify the uptown with her artwork. Third, Frances Myers gave a presentation on the new Prospectus on Crisfield that can be used to market Crisfield to developers and future residents.

NEXT GCAC PROJECTS:

• Now GCAC is ready to set its sights on the next projects it will undertake, and the Executive Committee is meeting to identify projects in the Five Year Action Plan that can be completed before the 2018 season, which starts on Memorial Day weekend. These projects will require funding, and we will be asking for your help along with other organizations that may want to help us move Crisfield forward. More on that later.

Well, folks, you would think that now that it’s starting to turn cooler and businesses are starting to reduce their hours that things are not happening. But that would be WRONG. There are MANY things in the works that will come to the surface before next Spring that will greatly impact the future of Crisfield. We are headed in the right direction. We are gaining steam. And with your help, we will see Crisfield come to life in a new way – a City we can be proud of, enjoy, and share with others. Stay tuned and *keep the faith!*
Best,
Charlotte


Charlotte Scott, President
Greater Crisfield Action Coalition, Inc.
P.O. Box 144
Crisfield, MD 21817
www.GreaterCrisfieldMD.org
410-251-1669
“Never doubt that a small group of thoughtful, committed citizens can change the world. Indeed, it’s the only thing that ever has.”  — Margaret Mead, anthropologist