Journalist @baltimoresun writer artist runner #amwriting Chaplain PIO #partylikeajournalist

Journalist @baltimoresun writer artist runner #amwriting Chaplain PIO #partylikeajournalist
Journalist @baltimoresun writer artist runner #amwriting Md Troopers Assoc #20 & Westminster Md Fire Dept Chaplain PIO #partylikeajournalist
Showing posts with label Carroll Co Businesses and Econ Dev. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Carroll Co Businesses and Econ Dev. Show all posts

Tuesday, April 01, 2008

20080331 Update on "Carrolls Idol"


Carroll’s Idol

March 12, 2008 – March 31, 2008 UPDATE on previous March 14, 2008 posts: 20080312 Carroll's Idol NBH: 20080312 Carroll's Idol

By Kevin Dayhoff

Photo captions:

Top: Members of the Carroll’s Idol committee compare notes after auditions at the VFW Post in Westminster, Monday evening, March 10, 2008

Bottom: Audrey Cimino and Eileen Gist confer as other members of the Carroll’s Idol committee compare notes after auditions at the VFW Post in Westminster, Monday evening, March 10, 2008

*****

Ten winners from the Semi-Finals will progress to the finale on Friday, April 25th at Grace Lutheran Church at 21 Carroll Street, in Westminster.

Community celebrities as well as Jennifer Franciotti from WBAL will be on hand to present and judge the competition.

Tickets are $10.00 adults; $8.00 seniors; $5.00 Children 12 and under.

For more information visit their website: www.g9m.org/carrollsidol or e-mail: www.Carrolls_Idol@yahoo.com

Tickets will go on sale at all New Windsor Bank branches, Orbital Hair Co. Salon/Spa and Shipley's Fine Jewelry, Buttersburg Inn in Union Mills on March 7th.

All proceeds will go to The Community Foundation of Carroll County, Inc. so they may continue their philanthropic efforts in our community.

Sponsors of this event are WTTR, Carroll County Times, Dutterer’s Flowers, New Windsor State Bank, Orbital Hair Co. Salon/Spa, Friedel Travel Services, Shipley's Fine Jewelry, Metalloy Production Studio, Jean Burgess Productions, Boscov's, J&P Pizza and Hearty Party Entertainment

******

March 12, 2008

There were smiles all around the room last Monday night after 15 Carroll Countians got together at the Westminster VFW Post 467 at 519 Poole Rd Westminster to belt out some tunes.

That was when the first 15 contestants of “Carroll’s Idol” gathered around a few tables to discuss some organizational details for our county’s very own version of the hit TV series, “American Idol.”

“I want to thank the judges for being so positive. We didn’t have a Simon (Cowell.)” said one of the members of the team, Sharon Templeton above the chatter.

“On behalf of the Community Foundation I want to thank everyone involved,” said Audrey Cimino, the foundation’s executive director as she surveyed all the activity.

A brainchild of Eileen Dutterer Gist and Cheryl Schuster, the project is a fundraiser for operating capital for the Community Foundation. Gist reminisced, “I called my friend Audrey, knowing how much she’s into music… I want to put on (a talent contest) to raise money for the (Community) Foundation.”

“Let’s do it,” said Cimino. “Cheryl has been thinking about something similar.”

The next step in the contest is for approximately 20 contestants to audition at the Freedom Optimist Hall in Eldersburg this evening. 20 contestants will then progress to the semi-final on Tuesday, March 18th at the Westminster VFW Post 467. This competition is open to the public.

Ten winners from the Semi-Finals will progress to the finale on Friday, April 25th at Grace Lutheran Church at 21 Carroll Street, in Westminster.

Community celebrities as well as Jennifer Franciotti from WBAL will be on hand to present and judge the competition.

Tickets are $10.00 adults; $8.00 seniors; $5.00 Children 12 and under.

For more information visit their website: www.g9m.org/carrollsidol or e-mail: www.Carrolls_Idol@yahoo.com

Kevin Dayhoff writes from Westminster Maryland USA.

www.kevindayhoff.net http://www.youtube.com/kevindayhoff http://www.livejournal.com/

E-mail him at: kdayhoff AT carr.org or kevindayhoff AT gmail.com

His columns and articles appear in The Tentacle - www.thetentacle.com; Westminster Eagle Opinion; www.thewestminstereagle.com, Winchester Report and The Sunday Carroll Eagle – in the Sunday Carroll County section of the Baltimore Sun. Get Westminster Eagle RSS Feed

“When I stop working the rest of the day is posthumous. I'm only really alive when I'm writing.” Tennessee Williams

20080331 Carroll County Agriculture Center Events Calendar


Carroll County Agriculture Center Events Calendar

March 31, 2008

Carroll County Home Show April 5, 2008 from 9AM-5PM. April 6, 2008 from 11AM-4PM. Admission $4.00.

Farmers Market

April 5, 2008 from 8AM-2PM

Admission FREE

Maryland Alpaca Show April 12-13, 2008 from 8AM-6PM. Admission FREE

Mid Atlantic cake Show & Wedding Cake Competition April 19, 2008 from 10AM-5PM. April 20, 2008 from 9AM-5PM. Admission: Adults $7, children 5-12 $3, under 5 free.

Maryland Four Seasons Fine Art & Craft Market April 19, 2008 from 10AM-4PM. Admission $3.

Farmers Market May 10, 2008 from 8AM-2PM. Admission FREE

Carroll County (Maryland) Agriculture Center

To book any of the Ag Center facilities – or inquire about rates, specifications, etc., contact Larry Collins, General Manager at 410-848-6704 or larry AT carrollcountyagcenter DOT com

For more information on the Carroll County Maryland Agricultural Center – go here: Website: http://www.carrollcountyagcenter.com/

For articles on “Soundtrack” about the Carroll Co. Ag Center

http://kevindayhoff.blogspot.com/search/label/Carroll%20County%20Maryland%20Agriculture%20Center

20080226 The Carroll County Maryland Ag Center Show

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ickmq4LhpMo

*****

Kevin Dayhoff writes from Westminster Maryland USA.

www.kevindayhoff.net http://www.youtube.com/kevindayhoff http://www.livejournal.com/

E-mail him at: kdayhoff AT carr.org or kevindayhoff AT gmail.com

His columns and articles appear in The Tentacle - www.thetentacle.com; Westminster Eagle Opinion; www.thewestminstereagle.com, Winchester Report and The Sunday Carroll Eagle – in the Sunday Carroll County section of the Baltimore Sun. Get Westminster Eagle RSS Feed

“When I stop working the rest of the day is posthumous. I'm only really alive when I'm writing.” Tennessee Williams

20080226 The Carroll County Maryland Ag Center Show


The Ag Center Show

Carroll County Maryland Agriculture Center

Westminster, Maryland

February 26, 2008

http://www.carrollcountyagcenter.com/

20080226 The Carroll County Maryland Ag Center Show

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ickmq4LhpMo

Storyboard for “The Ag Center Show.”

In the evening of February 26, 2008, the Carroll County Maryland Agriculture Center held its annual meeting.

At that meeting, the Ag Center Manager Larry Collins screened the following video of highlights of recent events at the Ag Center.

However, before we get to the video, let’s get acquainted with the Ag Center by way of the web site greeting:

WELCOME to the Carroll County Agriculture Center; the site of the new state-of-the-art Danele Shipley Memorial Arena…

… as well as numerous meeting facilities, function and banquet rooms, outdoor facilities, and much more!

Located in central Carroll County – the Region's finest agriculture country –

- the Agriculture Center and Shipley Arena are perfectly situated to meet our diverse needs…

… and those of our neighbors in Baltimore, Washington D.C., southern Pennsylvania and western Delaware.

Our facilities are designed to host a wide variety of events from livestock and …

… equestrian outings to live music shows and entertainment events to trade shows and exhibits, and fairs and circuses.

The Carroll County Agriculture Center is the permanent home of the nationally known and highly regarded Carroll County 4H & FFA Fair.

The Agriculture Center and Shipley Arena are available to all for exciting events, meetings, and outings YEAR-ROUND!

Visit us soon – we look forward to hosting you or your next event in comfort and style in any one of our facilities.

To book any of our facilities – or inquire about rates, specifications, etc., contact Larry Collins, General Manager at 410-848-6704 or larry AT carrollcountyagcenter DOT com

For more information on the Carroll County Maryland Agricultural Center – go here: http://www.carrollcountyagcenter.com/

Carroll County (Maryland) Agriculture Center

Website: http://www.carrollcountyagcenter.com/

For articles on “Soundtrack” about the Carroll Co. Ag Center

http://kevindayhoff.blogspot.com/search/label/Carroll%20County%20Maryland%20Agriculture%20Center

*****

Kevin Dayhoff writes from Westminster Maryland USA.

www.kevindayhoff.net http://www.youtube.com/kevindayhoff http://www.livejournal.com/

E-mail him at: kdayhoff AT carr.org or kevindayhoff AT gmail.com

His columns and articles appear in The Tentacle - www.thetentacle.com; Westminster Eagle Opinion; www.thewestminstereagle.com, Winchester Report and The Sunday Carroll Eagle – in the Sunday Carroll County section of the Baltimore Sun. Get Westminster Eagle RSS Feed

“When I stop working the rest of the day is posthumous. I'm only really alive when I'm writing.” Tennessee Williams

Friday, March 14, 2008

20080312 Carroll's Idol


Carroll’s Idol

March 12, 2008

By Kevin Dayhoff

Photo captions:

Top: Members of the Carroll’s Idol committee compare notes after auditions at the VFW Post in Westminster, Monday evening, March 10, 2008

Bottom: Audrey Cimino and Eileen Gist confer as other members of the Carroll’s Idol committee compare notes after auditions at the VFW Post in Westminster, Monday evening, March 10, 2008

*****

Westminster Maryland - There were smiles all around the room last Monday night after 15 Carroll Countians got together at the Westminster VFW Post 467 at 519 Poole Rd Westminster to belt out some tunes.

That was when the first 15 contestants of “Carroll’s Idol” gathered around a few tables to discuss some organizational details for our county’s very own version of the hit TV series, “American Idol.”

“I want to thank the judges for being so positive. We didn’t have a Simon (Cowell.)” said one of the members of the team, Sharon Templeton above the chatter.

“On behalf of the Community Foundation I want to thank everyone involved,” said Audrey Cimino, the foundation’s executive director as she surveyed all the activity.

A brainchild of Eileen Dutterer Gist and Cheryl Schuster, the project is a fundraiser for operating capital for the Community Foundation. Gist reminisced, “I called my friend Audrey, knowing how much she’s into music… I want to put on (a talent contest) to raise money for the (Community) Foundation.”

“Let’s do it,” said Cimino. “Cheryl has been thinking about something similar.”

The next step in the contest is for approximately 20 contestants to audition at the Freedom Optimist Hall in Eldersburg this evening. 20 contestants will then progress to the semi-final on Tuesday, March 18th at the Westminster VFW Post 467. This competition is open to the public.

Ten winners from the Semi-Finals will progress to the finale on Friday, April 25th at Grace Lutheran Church at 21 Carroll Street, in Westminster.

Community celebrities as well as Jennifer Franciotti from WBAL will be on hand to present and judge the competition.

Tickets are $10.00 adults; $8.00 seniors; $5.00 Children 12 and under.

For more information visit their website: www.g9m.org/carrollsidol or e-mail: www.Carrolls_Idol@yahoo.com

*****

20080312 Carroll's Idol NBH: 20080312 Carroll's Idol

Kevin Dayhoff writes from Westminster Maryland USA.

www.kevindayhoff.net http://www.youtube.com/kevindayhoff http://www.livejournal.com/

E-mail him at: kdayhoff AT carr.org or kevindayhoff AT gmail.com

His columns and articles appear in The Tentacle - www.thetentacle.com; Westminster Eagle Opinion; www.thewestminstereagle.com, Winchester Report and The Sunday Carroll Eagle – in the Sunday Carroll County section of the Baltimore Sun. Get Westminster Eagle RSS Feed

“When I stop working the rest of the day is posthumous. I'm only really alive when I'm writing.” Tennessee Williams

Tuesday, September 04, 2007

20070824 Louna Primm joins New Windsor State Bank


Louna Primm joins New Windsor State Bank

September 4th, 2007 - - Got some feedback and questions about this earlier in the day – and this is all I know:

Press Release – August 24, 2007

New Chief Lending Officer/Executive Vice President
Joins New Windsor State Bank

The New Windsor State Bank is very pleased to announce that Louna S. Primm recently joined the bank in the position of Executive Vice President and Chief Lending Officer and is responsible for all of NWSB’s lending activities which include commercial, residential and consumer lending.

Mrs. Primm has more than 40 years of community banking experience in Carroll County. Mrs. Primm’s office is located in New Windsor State Bank’s Professional Center Offices located at 222 East Baltimore Street in Taneytown. Mrs. Primm can be contacted at 410-871-0797.

Mrs. Primm is a graduate of The National Commercial Lending School, The Maryland Banking School and The Stonier Graduate School of Banking.

Mrs. Primm currently serves as Vice Chairman for the Carroll Community College Foundation Board of Trustees, member of the Board of Managers of the YMCA of Central Maryland Carroll County Family Branch, member of the Board of Trustees of Carroll Hospice, Inc., member of the Board of Directors of the Warfield Development Corporation, member of the State of Maryland Economic Development Assistance Authority (DEBD), member of the Board of Trustees of Carroll Lutheran Village, and is a member of the Greater Westminster Development Corporation and McDaniel College Women’s Leadership Network Committee.

The Daily Record named Mrs. Primm as one of Maryland’s Top 100 Women for the year 2003 and again in 2005.

The New Windsor State Bank, headquartered in New Windsor, Maryland, has been proudly serving the financial needs of the citizens and businesses of Carroll County since 1932 and is celebrating its 75th Anniversary. New Windsor State Bank is a full service community Bank with convenient branches in Westminster, New Windsor, Mt. Airy and Taneytown.

For further information regarding the above, or about the New Windsor State Bank and our approach to true community banking, please contact:

The New Windsor State Bank

Attn: Lisa Monthley, 222 East Baltimore Street, Taneytown, Maryland 21787
(410) 549-1414

Friday, March 09, 2007

Carroll ‘unprepared’ to attract new jobs by Kelsey Volkmann


Carroll ‘unprepared’ to attract new jobs by Kelsey Volkmann, The Examiner Mar 2, 2007

Carroll County - Carroll “is wholly unprepared to take advantage” of opportunities to attract new jobs, a new study reveals.

“Despite its size, location [and] educated and affluent population, Carroll’s economic performance is still that of a rural residential suburb,” according to a report from consultants Parsons Brinckerhoff, an international planning firm that built New York City’s first subway.

“Carroll’s current inventory of zoned industrial land is in the wrong places, too broken up and outside existing sewer and water services areas.”

Consultants presented their findings Thursday to the Economic Development Commission. The county hired them to:

» Evaluate the obstacles blocking new businesses from moving in.

» Offer suggestions on breaking Carroll from its status as a bedroom community.

» Help update the Pathways Plan, or road map for growth.

Land prices and the build-out of neighboring jurisdictions will push development here, consultants found, but Carroll has a “sparse network of state roads,” and 90 percent of its commercial parcels are five acres or smaller.

Consultants recommended that Carroll create more types of industrial and commercial zoning. Carroll has five basic kinds, while most nearby counties have between eight and 11.

This prevents Carroll from offering more mixed-use options where, for example, a factory sits next to offices, county spokeswoman Vivian Laxton said. The more businesses Carroll fosters, she said, the less of a tax burden residents will have to shoulder.

If officials don’t change their zoning, they will perpetuate tax-base imbalances, lose potential employment lands to houses and increase rush-hour traffic, the study shows.

All economic development hinges on Carroll finding more water sources in the face of looming shortages, County Planning Director Steve Horn said.
Meeting water and sewer demands for 2030 will cost $153 million, according to the study.

Tax bases

Commercial and industrial assessable tax bases by county

» Baltimore: 19 percent

» Howard: 18 percent

» Harford: 14 percent

» Carroll: 12 percent

Source: Maryland State Department of Assessments and Taxation

(Parsons Brinckerhoff used counties closest to Carroll for comparison)

Percentage of commuters who work outside county

» Carroll: 51.7 percent

» Howard: 51.6 percent

» Harford: 44.6 percent

» Baltimore: 29.5 percent

Source: U.S. Census Bureau

20070302 Carroll unprepared to attract new jobs kvbe

Kevin Dayhoff: www.westgov.net Westminster Maryland Online www.westminstermarylandonline.net http://kevindayhoffwestgov-net.blogspot.com/

Monday, December 12, 2005

20051212 Black Oak Associates wants center to help the environment

Black Oak Associates wants center to help the environment

Developer wants center to help the environment

Carroll County Times

By John G. Westerman, Times Staff Writer

Monday, December 12, 2005

Michael Trenery is a vice president for Black Oak Associates, an Owings Mills-based commercial developer that owns three shopping centers in Carroll County.

Black Oak Associates is managing the development of Main Street Eldersburg, an outdoor shopping center that is targeted to be built on the south side of Londontown Boulevard, east of Brevard Road in Eldersburg. The developer is EMS LLC.

Black Oak is seeking an environmentally friendly certification for the Main Street Eldersburg project. This certification, called silver LEED certification, is expected to cut operating expenses for the building by 30 percent and ease water usage by up to 40 percent.

Q: What do commercial developers like Black Oak do?

A: Black Oak Associates and Black Oak Management are a development management company. Black Oak Associates owns and manages five shopping centers in the greater Baltimore area. One of those shopping centers is in York, Pa. The others are in the Baltimore metro area and three are in Carroll County.

[…]

Q: Why are developers like Black Oak interested in putting projects in Carroll County?

A: If you look at the demographics, it is a growing population and it is a well-off community, and I think we recognize that.

[…] and it has very favorable demographics and is to an extent "understored" for certain categories. There are not a lot of stores in the market. There's not a lot of restaurants, there's not a lot of women's ready-to-wear and there's not a tremendous amount of specialty retailers.

Q: Can you explain the Eldersburg Main Street project?

A: That project is going to be about 83,000 square feet. It will be housed in eight separate buildings that are oriented toward a main street or a pedestrian corridor. No building will be larger than 20,000 feet. They range in size from 20,000 to about 5,000 feet. […]

Q: What is LEED certification?

A: There is an organization called the U.S. Green Building Council, and they have established a set of standards for designating buildings and different types of buildings as green buildings. In that broader category of green buildings, there are different levels, and to achieve those levels of certification within LEED, there is a score sheet that is tabulated, and there are certain requirements that you have to meet in order to obtain the points associated with that score sheet. They revolve principally around developing sites that are energy efficient, that minimize the use water that minimize the impact on the land, and in some cases are located adjacent to public transportation.

There are, I think, principally six categories that are looked at and they range from freight selection for the construction, and they evaluate methods of construction so that you minimize waste on site. And recycling. And it also looks at the recycled content and building materials, and this movement has come into its own in the last 10 years. Manufacturers are now responding, and they are making sure that they have product lines that have recycled content.

So, all of these items are evaluated through the use of this score sheet, and then if you successfully meet the category and the level that you are applying for, you are awarded the LEED designation. In this case, we're looking at a designation that is LEED silver certified for core and shell buildings. The reason we are doing that is because we are building essentially the exterior of the building. We're going to do the walls, roof, parking lots. We're going to do the mechanical systems and the electrical systems, but not including tenant-specific items.

[…] and we will be eligible for that provided we get the certification from the U.S. Green Building Council.

Q: How do you think developers like Black Oak envision Carroll County in another 10 to 20 years?

A: I think there will be an increase in commercial development as the county grows. Retail typically follows residential. Residential is the leading edge in the development. When people come to an area, after they've arrived in an area, they would like to see the types of products and services available to them within a reasonable drive for them. So, I think, over time you will see an increase.

Reach staff writer John Westerman at 410-857-7876 or westermanj@lcniofmd.com.

Labels: Carroll County Businesses and Economic Development, Eldersburg, Black Oak Associates, Environmentalism


Tuesday, March 01, 2005

20050301 Information about the Carroll County Maryland Ag Center

Carroll County (Maryland) Agriculture Center

Website: http://www.carrollcountyagcenter.com/

For articles on “Soundtrack” about the Carroll Co. Ag Center

http://kevindayhoff.blogspot.com/search/label/Carroll%20County%20Maryland%20Agriculture%20Center

General Manager at 410-848-6704

WELCOME to the Carroll County Agriculture Center; the site of the new state-of-the-art Danele Shipley Memorial Arena, as well as numerous meeting facilities, function and banquet rooms, outdoor facilities, and much more!

Located in central Carroll County – the Region's finest agriculture country – the Agriculture Center and Shipley Arena are perfectly situated to meet our diverse needs and those of our neighbors in Baltimore, Washington D.C., southern Pennsylvania and western Delaware. Our facilities are designed to host a wide variety of events from livestock and equestrian outings to live music shows and entertainment events to trade shows and exhibits, and fairs and circuses.

The Carroll County Agriculture Center is the permanent home of the nationally-known and highly-regarded Carroll County 4H & FFA Fair. The Agriculture Center and Shipley Arena are available to all for exciting events, meetings and outings YEAR-ROUND!

Visit us soon – we look forward to hosting you or your next event in comfort and style in any one of our facilities.

To book any of our facilities – or inquire about rates, specifications, etc., contact Larry Collins, General Manager at 410-848-6704 or larry AT carrollcountyagcenter DOT com

Sunday, December 26, 2004

20041226 Black Oak Associates plans to reacquire mall

Black Oak Associates plans to reacquire mall

Business Notes – Baltimore Sun

December 26, 2004

Black Oak Associates, owned by Dixon Harvey, has formed a new investment group to reacquire Carrolltown Center in Eldersburg.

Harvey first bought the mall in 1993 under Black Rock Associates, then sold it in 1999 to Equity Investment Group of Ft. Wayne, Ind.

Harvey said Black Oak Associates plans to redevelop the mall to complement surrounding shopping and dining options in the area.

Planning may take up to a year.

Black Oak Associates is based in Owings Mills.

####

Wednesday, July 31, 2002

20020731 Carroll County Ag Center Ground Breaking Press Release

Carroll County Agriculture Center, Inc.

Website: http://www.carrollcountyagcenter.com/

For articles on “Soundtrack” about the Carroll Co. Ag Center

http://kevindayhoff.blogspot.com/search/label/Carroll%20County%20Maryland%20Agriculture%20Center

702 Agriculture Center Drive, Westminster, MD 21158

PRESS RELEASE

July 31, 2002

Building for the Next Century - Honoring the Past, Focusing on the Future

Construction will begin on the new Danele Shipley Memorial Arena immediately after the completion of the 2002 Carroll County 4-H and FFA Fair. The building will be completed in time for the 2003 Carroll County 4-H and FFA Fair.

MSG Associates of Columbia, Maryland is the contractor for the project. Charles J. Miller Excavating of Hampstead, Maryland is performing the site preparation work. Probst-Mason, Inc Architects has designed and is overseeing the project. The arena is named in honor of Danele Shipley a late Carroll County teacher known for her dedication to 4-H

Project background:

In 1995 the members of the Ag Board started to address the need to replace the animal barns on the lower section of the property. The present barns are more than showing their age. They constantly require maintenance before each fair, and have very limited use other than for the fair as they can only be used for animals and have no walls, no heat and are not handicapped accessible.

The first plans for the new building were drawn up in 1997. In response to community input, the Board spent many months in 1998 exploring additional options for the building. The current location was determined in 1999, and the design was started all over again. The design has changed considerably over the years, with additions and changes based on feedback from committee members, board members, Fair Board, neighbors and County departments. The result is exciting and shows foresight with regard to the Fair's needs and other educational opportunities and economic opportunities for the Citizens of Carroll County. Carroll County needs to not only preserve agricultural land, but we need to also preserve and expand the business of agriculture. This building will help preserve a future for agriculture in Carroll County.

The new facility will be constructed consisting of a 150’ x 350’ (52,500 square feet) clear span arena with an eave height of sixteen (16) feet. The rear of the building will have a food service area, storage and mechanical rooms and bathrooms with showers extending out from, and along side of, the rear arena wall measuring 25’ x 160’ (4,000 square feet). The front of the building will have two offices, bathrooms and an entrance measuring 33’ x 126’ (4,158 square feet) extending out from and along the side of the front arena wall. The building will have a total of 60,658 square feet.

The new facility will allow year round use. The new arena can be used to better serve the educational needs of the agriculture community, the constantly growing 4-H programs, the Carroll County 4-H and FFA Fair, and the expanding Carroll County 4-H Youth Development Program. When not in use by the Carroll County Agriculture Center members, the new arena will provide a facility for other exhibition and educational activities of public interest. The people that attend these activities will have a positive impact on the future of the Ag Center and the economy of Carroll County.

The building, as designed, is an open flexible use space. The ventilation is designed for livestock and the building has heat to allow year round usage for 4-H programs, FFA, livestock sales, community groups and any number of other educational and exhibition uses. The new building is also handicapped accessible; so all members of our community will have access. This new building changes a portion of the Ag Center property from a single-use area to a multi-use facility. This allows us to better meet the needs of all of our constituents, the Fair, 4-H, Carroll Kennel Club, many educational groups and various community groups and clients.

Funding

The initial community fund raising effort in 1997 raised $1,000,000 in cash and in-kind gifts for the $4.3 million building. Another $600,000 will be spent in site preparation costs. The project has also received $1,000,000 in grants from the State of Maryland. Additional fund raising together with county bond authorization of up to $2.5 million will enable completion of the project. This project demonstrates the history and tradition of community support for the Carroll County Agriculture Center, since Burns Hall was first built in 1954.

As the building project begins, the construction phase fund raising is also under way. Contributions can be at the Carroll County 4-H and FFA Fair or sent to the Carroll County Agriculture Center at 702 Agriculture Center Drive, Westminster, MD 21158. Pictures of the building will be on display at the Carroll County 4-H and FFA Fair. For more information call 410 848-6704.

Ag Center Background

The Carroll County Agriculture Center, Inc. was created in March of 1954 exclusively for “charitable, educational and scientific purposes.” It is still made up of the original seven member groups: Farm Bureau, Young Farmers, Farm Bureau Women, Homemakers (now Family Community Education), the Pomona Grange, 4-H All Stars and 4-H leaders. Standing Committees of the Ag Center include other groups, such as the Fair Board, the Farmers Market and 4-H Therapeutic Riding. It provides a permanent site for the annual Carroll County 4-H and FFA Fair and other agriculturally related activities. In 1968 the Ag Center was granted tax-exempt status under the provision of Section 501 (c)(3) of the Internal Revenue Code.

The Mission of the Ag Center is:

To provide for agriculture related activities and educational programs.

To support the 4-H, Future Farmers of America, Grange and similar groups within Carroll County, Maryland.

To provide an accessible facility for use by supported groups, other charitable and educational organizations and the general public.

To pass to the future generations of Carroll County, a rich agricultural heritage.

The Ag Center Goals are:

To improve the facility in order to better provide services.

To better serve our target groups.

To increase the participation of the general community in our activities.

# # # #