On Monday, May 18, the Charles County Department of Economic Development (EDD) announced an open call for business owners and operators in the local business community to participate in the 2015 Charles County Business Survey. The first of its kind, this survey serves as a sounding board for the county business community, and provides feedback to the economic development team. Findings will be used to tailor programs and resources to better address business needs.

 

"The Charles County economic development team is committed to the county's economic growth, and [is] a key part to helping us achieve economic prosperity is by growing the companies that are already operating in the county, understanding the needs of these companies, and having an open dialogue with the businesses that are already here," said Marcia Keeth, acting director of Charles County Department of Economic Development. "I strongly encourage every business in our community to take part in this survey. The more participants we get, the more feedback the department has to work with as our team looks to find areas where we can improve or augment our efforts to better service the needs of the local business community."

 

The survey takes about 15-20 minutes to complete. All personal information collected remains confidential, and will not be shared with any party outside of the Charles County Government. While it is highly encouraged to fully fill out the survey, partially completed surveys are accepted if some questions are not applicable. At the conclusion of the survey, a report of the aggregated findings will be shared, excluding any identification information. 

 

> Survey Link

 

For more information about the Charles County Department of Economic Development, visit www.MeetCharlesCounty.com, or contact Marcia Keeth at 301-885-1345.

 

About Charles County

Recently hailed as being home to one of CNNMoney's "Best Places to Live," Charles County is a growing business hub that is well positioned for investment, growth, and development. Strategically located in the Washington DC metro area, the county is a prime location for businesses that are looking to locate or relocate, offering companies access to a large, talented workforce; affordable, flexible, and attractive real estate options; strategic access via a multi-modal transportation network; and excellent education options. For more information: www.MeetCharlesCounty.com.

Assemble your soccer-loving family and friends for the 11th annual Guinean Inter-State Soccer Tournament on Saturday, May 23 and Sunday, May 24 at the Bryantown Sports Complex (5665 Bryantown Road, Waldorf). This tournament has become a much-anticipated event throughout the Guinean community, capturing the hearts of soccer fans.

The games begin Saturday, May 23 at 10 a.m., and conclude at 5 p.m.  Following the Saturday games, there will be artist performances from 5 p.m. to 7 p.m. On Sunday, May 24, the quarter final games will be held at 11 a.m. and 12:15 p.m., semi-finals at 2:45 p.m., and the championship game at 5 p.m.

Special guest scheduled to attend: president, Charles County Board of Commissioners; ambassador, Embassy of the Republic of Guinea; president and vice president, Association of the Guineans in the District of Columbia, Maryland, and Virginia; Guinean Youth Ministry representative; Guinean Interstate Soccer Tournament representative; and president, Guinean Interstate Soccer Tournament Commission.

The goal of the tournament is to unite the Guinean community who are coming across the country from districts in Alabama, Atlanta, Boston, California, Chicago, Colorado, Connecticut, Indiana, Memphis, Michigan, Minnesota, New Jersey, New York, Ohio, Philadelphia, Washington D.C., and Texas.

"We look forward to hosting this tournament because it helps support the development of soccer at all levels, and enhances the cooperation, goodwill, and civic pride between various stakeholders in the community and citizens. We look forward to developing a long-term partnership with the Guinean community," said Tim Morgan, Chief of Tourism. 

For more information about the tournament, call Mamadou Barry at 202-274-6592 or Sam Soumah at 240-833-1043. 

On Tuesday, May 19, the Charles County Commissioners received grant awards from Local Government Insurance Trust (LGIT) and the Commission on Accreditation for Law Enforcement Agencies (CALEA). The LGIT training grant, presented to the Charles County Safety Officer, supports safety driver training, and the Charles County Government Truck Rodeo.  The Charles County Sheriff's Office received the CALEA grant because of their enhanced public safety services and management professionalism.

 

 

 

Pictured above (left to right): Commissioner Debra M. Davis, Esq. (District 2); Danny Johnson, Charles County Sheriff's Office; Commissioner Amanda M. Stewart, M.Ed.(District 3); Commissioner Bobby Rucci (District 4); Joane Gulvas, Charles County Government; Commissioner Vice President Ken Robinson (District 1); Tim Ailsworth, LGIT; Commissioner President Peter F. Murphy; Rebecca Quade, Charles County Government.

*This news release is provided in partnership with the Charles County Department of Health

 

Drug and Alcohol-related Intoxication Deaths Rise in Charles County 

The Maryland Department of Health and Mental Hygiene (DHMH) released the 2014 Drug and Alcohol-Related Intoxication Deaths in Maryland Report on Tuesday, May 19. The report found that there was a 21 percent increase in the number of Maryland deaths in 2014 compared with 2013's data.

 

A total of 21 drug and alcohol related intoxication deaths occurred in Charles County in 2014. This is an increase from the nine deaths confirmed in 2013 and the 13 deaths confirmed in 2010.  95 percent (20 out of 21) of the Charles County drug and alcohol intoxication deaths were opioid-related.

 

"These needless deaths are unacceptable," states Dianna E. Abney, M.D., Charles County health officer. "We recognize this as a serious community problem. Last year we held a number of forums to help give us a better scope of the issue. The forums helped us identify the necessary steps to tackle the problem." Abney says, "This is a complex problem with no simple fix. A solution involves every sector of our community: public health, government, treatment and prevention, medical, education, law enforcement, and the public at large.  Actions are underway and we have to accept that it may take a while for our efforts to take hold."

 

The report states:

• Heroin-related deaths doubled from five in 2013 to 10 in 2014. On a state level, heroin-related deaths increased by 25 percent between 2013 and 2014.
• Prescription opioid-related deaths nearly doubled from five in 2013 to nine in 2014.  The overall number of prescription opioid-related deaths remained relatively stable on a state level.
• For Charles County, fentanyl-related deaths reduced from three deaths in 2013 to one death in 2014. This is very different from the three fold increase seen at the state level (from 58 to 185). 
• Charles County did not see any cocaine-related deaths in 2013 or 2014. This is very different from the 29 percent increase seen on the state level.
• From 2007-2014, Charles County generally sees between 1-3 benzodiazepine-related deaths. For 2014, there were two deaths due to this substance.
• Alcohol-related deaths in Charles County have remained relatively stable in recent years. In 2014, there were five deaths related to alcohol in Charles County. On a state level, there was a 13 percent increase in alcohol-related deaths from 2013 to 2014.

The problem of increasing opiate-related fatalities is universal. Similar increases are reported nationally and state-wide. While Charles County falls in the middle of rankings by county in the state report there remains much room for improvement. Dr. Abney says, "We are determined to turn this problem around."  

 

> View complete report

The Airport Land Use Study public meeting previously scheduled for Monday, May 4 is rescheduled for Monday, July 13 at 6 p.m. in the Commissioners' meeting room at the Charles County Government Building (200 Baltimore Street, La Plata).

The purpose of this study is to evaluate land uses around the Maryland Airport located in Charles County. This study will also evaluate the airport impacts on nearby populations and the environment. The Planning Commission will consider public comments at this meeting.

 

The proposed Airport Land Use Study is available online or by email upon request. 

 

For more information, contact Theresa Pickeral, Clerk to the Planning Commission, at 301-645-0639 or by email.