April 20 meeting - guest speaker Robin Finnacom

Robin A. Finnacom, President/CEO of Lexington Park Community Development Corporation, will be our guest speaker on April 20.

http://www.co.saint-marys.md.us/decd/cdc.asp
From the web site ...
"The Community Development Corporation serves residents of St. Mary's by promoting public and private investment in communities throughout the County. The Corporation is a catalyst for positive change in communities where commercial and residential redevelopment is needed.

The Corporation was created in 1985. It is an independent, non-profit entity. The Board of the Development Corporation is composed of representatives of the community at large, business, finance, commercial and residential development, the defense contracting community, the Patuxent River Naval Air Station, the St. Mary's County Housing Authority, Department of Social Services and Department of Economic and Community Development.

Since 2000, the Development Corporation has focused almost exclusively on commercial revitalization in the older commercial areas of Lexington Park. Projects such as the redevelopment of Lexington Manor and the reconstruction of Great Mills Road are typical of initiatives undertaken by the Corporation to focus federal, state and local resources on enhancing this older area.

Improving older communities throughout St. Mary's County creates an attractive environment for new business growth and helps existing businesses prosper. These actions fuel a stronger and more diverse tax base and increase employment and shopping opportunities for residents County-wide."

From the DECD web site...(paraphrased by me)
The Community Development Corporation is one of four divisions of the St. Mary’s County Department of Economic & Community Development (DECD). the four divisons are: Housing, Tourism, Agriculture & Seafood, Business Development and the Executive Director of the Community Development Corporation (CDC)

These 4 divisions of the DECD work with citizen-led boards and commissions to identify and meet challenges. The staff also coordinates with other county, regional, state and federal agencies to promote and expand markets and encourage investment. The DECD produces an annual Technology Handbook, a listing of available office/building/land sites; tourism brochures written for many audiences; and listings of available rental properties; and participates in several key events throughout the year.