Recent St. Mary's County Chamber of Commerce Awards

As reported by SoMDNews.com (Southern Maryland Newspapers Online), the St. Mary's County Chamber of Commerce recently (May 21st) recognized several local success stories.

These local successes are indicative of the growing commercial base and opportunities for businesses in the area, bolstered by continuing growth and prominence of the PAX River Naval Air Station and region.

"Businesses were nominated by other chamber members for four major awards – the Lighthouse Award, the Beacon Award, the Emerging Business Award and the Community Service Award, based on slightly varying criteria for each."

For example, Cherry Cove Southern Maryland Hospitality was recognized with the Chamber's "Lighthouse Award", which recognizes a company that's been "in business at least four years and has 16 or more employees, has demonstrated revenue growth and job creation, has been recognized for excellence in their industry, has innovative products, customer services, management and marketing practices and has good involvement in the community."

"Headed now in Lexington Park, Cherry Cove was founded in 1977 by Tom Waring with the development of several residential projects near Leonardtown. In 1979, the company recognized the need for affordable housing for military families and opened the Lord Calvert community in Great Mills. In 1983, St. Mary’s tourism was increasing and as a result, Cherry Cove built the Patuxent Inn, a 120-room hotel with a restaurant and lounge on Route 235, which the company owned until 1995. In 1985, the company built and managed Indian Bridge PAX River Apartments, a 112-unit apartment complex in Great Mills. Base realignment and closure decisions of the late 1990s significantly enhanced the economy, and Cherry Cove Hospitality embarked on a series of hotel development and management projects that would add nearly 400 hotel rooms in the Pax River region, like the Hampton Inns in Lexington Park and Waldorf, the J.T. Daugherty Conference Center and the Fairfield Inn in Lexington Park, and recently, the Hilton Garden Inn in Solomons, which was awarded the Hilton brand’s Ramp-Up Award for 2007"

The other winners included Printing Press Inc. in Leonardtown, Anita’s Wedding Cake Company in Lexington Park, and Outback Steakhouse in California.