Harford News

City of Aberdeen Economic Development Commission met June 20.

Here is the minutes provided by the Commission:

Attending Members: Tom Fidler, Phyllis Grover, Dave Lynch, Don Curry, Chuck Jacobs, Robert Andrews, Steve Horne, Chief Henry Trabert

8:00 a.m. Welcome and opening Remarks Tom Fidler, Chairman

Treasurer’s Report Chuck Jacobs, Treasurer

The Treasurer reported a balance in the checking account of $9,115.85, a balance in the CD of $3,745.50, and all bills paid to date. There will be another deposit as of 1 July 2018 of $10,000.

Marketing and Retail Recruitment Strategy Tom Fidler

Mr. Tom Fidler informed the Committee of halts on two pending leases. Starbucks has signed the Executed Lease Agreement, however the property owners have not countersigned. In addition, Texas Roadhouse has signed an Executed Lease Agreement on a Merritt Property pad site, but Merritt has not countersigned

Hallmark is closing at the Beards Hill Plaza, and Rent-A-Center will move from their existing space in the Beards Hill Plaza to the Hallmark location. Rent-A-Center space does not have a tenant to replace their space

ATI Physical Therapy is moving from their current location on Parke Street to 1010-A&B Beards Hill Road (Aberdeen Marketplace).

Aberdeen Department of Planning and Community DevelopmentPhyllis Grover

Phyllis Grover informed the Commission members of a meeting with Amtrak in Philadelphia discussing the Transportation Alternatives Grant Program (T.A.P). Amtrak is starting their own ADA Compliance improvements at the Train Station and are in the design phase. There is a follow-up meeting with Amtrak to discuss how the Amtrak project will affect the T.A.P project. The MOU was submitted to State Highway Administration (SHA) for the T.A.P. Project and NEPA is currently under review.

State Highway Administration is preparing a sidewalk enhancement and repavement project on West Bel Air Avenue starting spring 2019. This project will be more inclusive to residents and business owners along West Bel Air Avenue. Phyllis motioned to take volunteers to start a task force for the West Bel Air project in enhancing the communications between the community and State Highway Administration. In addition, Chief Henry Trabert informed the Commission of the new Community Safety Officer, David Yip, who acts as a liaison between the Aberdeen Police Department and the business community. Mr. Yip will be the eyes and ears of the Police Department for the businesses in Aberdeen’s Downtown.

The old Moose Lodge at 102 Rogers Street have an architect submitting drawing for interior renovations.

Landmark Dental was approved for the Façade Improvement Grant by both the City Council and the Maryland Department of Housing and Community Development. Dr. Khayyer has been working to improve the office, and should be starting his practice soon.

The previous High School at 34 N. Philadelphia Boulevard is in the midst of hazardous abatement and should be complete by mid-July. The contract is pending for the sale of the building.

Lidl has started construction and currently does not have an anticipated completion date. Phyllis will get in contact to find out about a press release of their store opening.

The City Manager would like to commission a video focusing on economic development of the City. The City is in the works of speaking to Jared Noe of Suited Four Production Company to produce a 60-second video

Harford County Office of Community and Economic Development Robert Andrews

Mr. Andrews informed the Commission that all tenants will be moved out of the HEAT Center by the end of July, and the construction will start on the HEAT Center for the new tenant, the Center for Material Sciences. The Center is the study of advanced material manufacturing and 3-D printing. The operations will allow for this field to be studied in a non-competitive fashion in order to make developments in advanced material manufacturing. The completion date is early 2019 with a new job creation of roughly 50.

Susquehanna Workforce Network (SWN) has moved operations from the HEAT Center to the Harford County Offices in Havre de Grace.

The Joppa/Edgewood area is also opening a cyber-manufacturing Institute

There is an AI, robotics, and organoid lab opening at APG

APG was not chosen as the future commands center, but APG will coordinate all commands.

Harford County has come out with an annual Growth Report

Business for Discussion

Britestar has been commissioned to create a new Welcome Brochure for the City. The price quote and first draft presented to the Commission members.

Motion: Phyllis Grover motioned to have the Economic Development Commission draw funds from the checking account to pay for the brochure

Decision: The Commission members were in favor of paying for the brochure, and the brochures should be complete by late July or early August.

Tom Fidler asked all Commission members present if they wanted reappointment, and all members present agreed for reappointment. The Commission is seeking new members to volunteer.

The Commission members posed changing the times of the meeting or going virtual

https://www.aberdeenmd.gov/node/2003/minutes/2018