October 2018 ‘GOOD NEWS’ Newsletter

Hello, good people,

I am late in producing the October GCAC Newsletter because I have been traveling. I just got back from California last weekend after 11 days in San Francisco and Palm Springs. Earlier in the year I visited San Antonio and Corpus Christi. And before that Virginia Beach. When I’m traveling, I can’t help thinking about Crisfield and all the natural beauty and undeveloped assets we have that other places don’t. I enjoyed getting away, but it didn’t come close to comparing with what we have right here.

GCAC is continuing to explore the development of our community’s many assets, and plans to focus on several large projects as part of a comprehensive waterfront development project, which will be outlined a little later.  In any case, while I have been away, Crisfield ‘Good News’ continues…..

SHERWIN-WILLIAMS EXPANSION:

• Sherwin-Williams, a Fortune 500 company with headquarters in Cleveland, Ohio, recently added a third shift at Rubberset, their Crisfield plant, due to the company’s acquisition of Valspar for an estimated $9 billion. This acquisition opened up a partnership with Lowe’s, according to HR Generalist Lindsay Bolden, and led to a 40% increase in production at the Crisfield plant. As a result, the company is looking for full-time and part-time packers as well as full-time machine operators. Although work in any manufacturing plant can be tedious and laborious, besides steady employment, Sherwin-Williams employees have the opportunity to build a 401-k account which can secure their future retirement and give them the opportunity to move, travel, or enjoy the leisure of their later years.

---

NEW CATTERY IS COMING:

• George Freidley has been breeding bengal cats in Crisfield for four years and is now looking for a storefront location to sell from. His cattery called Freidley’s Bengals sells bengals that have been certified by The International Cat Association (TICA), the largest cat association in the world. As for pricing, George’s bengals sell for $800 as compared to up to $3,000 in other markets, a real bargain for such a spectacular breed of cat. This could be a real attraction for buyers in the region. Linda Singh’s bengal, “Leo”, which she purchased from George, is pictured.

VARIOUS EXTERIOR IMPROVEMENTS:

• Three local buildings got improvements during the past month including: Crisfield’s $5.6M state-of-the-art library, which got its new sign. See attached picture. It really adds a finishing touch! Subway got a coat of exterior paint and repairs to its signage. Also, Captain’s Galley Condominiums made improvements to its exterior and trim. Another business is doing a substantial rehab, and I hope to be free to talk about that in the November newsletter. Every little bit adds up even if it’s just a fresh coat of paint or some new landscaping. It shows pride in your property, and the more we take pride, the more it will benefit us individually and collectively.

---

ONLINE BUSINESS MARKETING SEMINAR A SUCCESS:

• On October 1st, for the first time, a local business in Crisfield provided a seminar to other local businesses on how to increase sales through online marketing. Greg Cain, owner of Crabplace.com®, posted an invitation on Facebook to meet with anyone who wanted to learn more about the techniques he has used to grow his online seafood sales and Crab & Cruise® events. He currently has an email customer base of 98,000 and 108,000 Facebook fans, resulting in sellout events and order growth of close to 20% for each of the last 3 years. Eighteen people attended the seminar, representing 12 businesses in Crisfield. Greg showed the crowd how to market their business more effectively, increasing their sales while economizing their marketing costs using social media and online tools. The group asked questions relevant to their particular business, resulting in good sharing and practical applications. I commend Greg for taking this initiative to help others based on what he has learned through study and trial and error over the past eighteen years. From the feedback he received, the business owners appreciated the knowledge they gained that they can now apply to their own enterprises.

CARVEL HALL PROGRESS:

• According to City Manager Rick Pollitt, things are continuing to progress at Carvel Hall. Mr. Pollitt stated, “Carvel Hall continues to show promise as Mr. Spangler’s team is expanding and making a number of approaches to investors and financial institutions as they develop their plans.  All of the activity of late shows signs of a developer who is preparing to move forward, and I am very optimistic that we will have a settlement before the option agreement expires next March.” I love that Mr. Pollitt, having met with the key parties and keeping on top of the situation, is “very optimistic”. This activity represents jobs, higher paying jobs, new businesses and new residents who may come for jobs or businesses and create a demand for new housing. The 70,000 SF property shows much potential, and City leaders remain hopeful that Carvel Hall will be back in operation in the near future.

INFRASTRUCTURE FUNDS NOW TOTAL ALMOST $5,000,000:

• Meanwhile, the City is continuously working on accessing funds to repair or replace old sewer lines in order to maintain and improve the City’s infrastructure. According to City Manager Pollitt, “We received word from the United States Department of Agriculture Rural Development that they have approved a loan of $1,293,000 to add to the $3,043,400 in funding previously approved by the Maryland Department of the Environment for our three major sewer upgrade projects.  Add to that one grant of $125,000 and another for $250,000 from the Rural Maryland Foundation, then we will have secured $4,711,400 to address our most critical utility infrastructure needs.  Jen Merritt has done an incredible job getting all of this in place.” I commend the City and Jen Merritt for these initiatives which are essential to our stability and our growth. These things don’t just happen. They take time, effort, skill, persistence, focus, and determination. Well done, City leaders!

FLOODING RELIEF A PRIORITY:

• Mayor Dize is making flooding relief a priority of his administration. According to Mr. Pollitt, “The City is working tirelessly with FEMA and the State to raise funds for serious drainage relief, especially in the area that encompasses South Somerset Avenue, Cove Street, Broadway, 4th Street and the Woodson Elementary School neighborhood.   Mayor Dize is particularly committed to making a difference there.” This is another effort on the part of the City that is crucially important to our citizens and to the real estate market. I am certain as they persevere, they will be successful.

GCAC GALA A HUGE SUCCESS:

• The Greater Crisfield Action Coalition’s first gala was a huge success with more than 100 people attending! Attached is the news article about the gala – County Times – GCAC Gala.  At the Gala, David King, host and emcee, remarked that he and co-owner Jerry Philpott “put their shovels back in the ground and made a decision to keep their business here and start a new business here because of GCAC.” After meeting with GCAC officers and seeing the Five-Year Action Plan, they said their *hope* was renewed. We were gratified to hear that and will continue to work toward implementing the plan and bringing it to fruition.

GCAC NEXT STEPS:
Since forming our community development corporation, holding community meetings, reviewing all the previous studies and plans, and developing the 116-page Five-Year Action Plan, we have completed several small projects. These include bringing the WBOC webcam to Crisfield, commissioning wall art uptown, drafting Crisfield’s first prospectus, updating Crisfield’s Visitor Guide and brochures, designing the Crab Capital decal, facilitating workforce development classes for the hospitality industry, etc. Now we are ready to focus on larger projects with the potential for broader economic development impact in our community.   During the winter we will be meeting with key people who can help us determine the feasibility of these projects and begin the steps toward implementation.  The top 3 projects include:

1. Boardwalk: A boardwalk provides an inviting atmosphere for access to the waterfront and business establishments.   With Crisfield bordered on three sides by water, a boardwalk for pedestrians, bicycles, and golf carts could connect and provide ready access to many of Crisfield’s assets including its working waterfront, its pleasure-boating waterfront, its eco-tourism infrastructure, its heritage areas, its recreation areas, and its business community.   We believe consideration should be given to encircling as much of Crisfield as possible with boardwalks, especially the basin of Somers Cove Marina with a possible pedestrian and golf cart connection (tunnel, ferry, drawbridge) between Jersey Island and 10th Street where the drawbridge stood until the 1960s.  A boardwalk could be a natural extension of the rails to trails bicycle path across Somerset County.   Of course, extensive research and collaboration with all stakeholders, as to the feasibility of this project and its many potential locations, will be the first step.

1. Water Taxi for Water Tours: Jane’s Island and its state park is one of Crisfield’s greatest assets. With over 100,000 visitors a year, many campers may find it difficult to access the City and its businesses; and many visitors to the City find it difficult to access the Island and its beaches. Local youth often do not take advantage of the Park’s available educational and recreational programs.  A water taxi would provide ready access between Somer’s Cove Marina, the City Dock, Condo Marinas, Jane’s Island’s mainland and island marinas, Wellington Beach, the American Legion, Old Cove Beach, and possibly more distant points by appointment such as Annemessex Ridge, Coulbourn Creek, Rumbly, etc.  A public-private partnership may be required to implement a water taxi service and set up water tours.  Providing the opportunity for visitors and residents to tour the waterfront and appreciate its beauty, the wildlife, and the pleasure of viewing the greater Crisfield area from the water could also provide a significant economic boost to our community.  Again, extensive research and collaboration with all levels of government is required to bring this project to fruition.  GCAC has held an initial meeting with a taxi service from another area and will pursue additional meetings and study to determine its feasibility.

1. Water Park: Water parks have become attractions for families and provide jobs and recreation for youth and visitors.  Water parks may be outdoor, indoor or a combination of both.  Water parks may be in natural surroundings (such as in a bay or lake) or in man-made facilities, or both.  Water parks may be simple or elaborate and may or may not be connected with more conventional swimming pools.  Some hotels feature water parks as a means of attracting families on a year-round basis.  At least two water parks are presently utilized by visitors to Crisfield – one in Berlin and one in Chincoteague.  Perhaps Crisfield could support its own water park. GCAC has connections to two Water Park executives who can give us insights and guidance in this area as well as a company that builds them on the East Coast. This has been a project on GCAC’s radar for some time, but will also require significant research, coordination and cooperation.

We are hoping that our recently awarded Operating Assistance Grant will help us secure resources to further the research into these exciting projects.  Stay tuned……
Best regards to all, Charlotte

---