Views on Sports Complex Project

Editor,

I applaud our commissioners’ leadership and dedication to helping Worcester County continue to prosper. However, their recent 4-3 vote in favor of the sports complex project compels me to publicly share my perspective on this large capital investment.

I would have also voted NO because of the chosen funding approach and lack of important decision-making information. Let me elaborate on these two points.

1. Funding: If the majority is convinced in the project’s economic success, then why fund it via general obligation bond? The chosen method appears to pass multi-million dollar financial risk to us, the taxpayers.

Therefore, I have asked our commissioners to explore alternative financing.

Since the sports complex is expected to generate a long-term revenue stream, the project is ideally suitable for a joint venture (JV).

This approach, if properly structured, will spread the business risk to each JV member according to their investments and roles.

2. Lack of important decision-making information: Worcester County is the only county in Maryland that borders the Atlantic Ocean. It also has beautiful natural resources, i.e. Assateague Island.

Establishing the right Environmental, Social and Governance (ESG) criteria is becoming a broad priority for many governments and businesses.

And, many of us know that ESG initiatives are gaining a greater importance by many in the public and private sector including coastal communities.

To my surprise, when searching the county’s website, I was unable to find any information on its ESG efforts.

Therefore, I have encouraged our commissioners to develop an ESG policy/strategy and make sure the proposed sports complex complies with it.

Integrating ESG into the county’s investment planning process will ultimately facilitate the right decisions, secure long-term benefits and sustainability.

I hope my views and concerns, along with others who decide to speak out, will give the commissioners reason to pause.

Conducting additional due diligence on this expensive sports complex is a textbook case of what I would call good governance.

Slobodan Trendic
Ocean Pines