(March 17, 2016) In a letter espousing the benefits of doing business in the county seat that Snow Hill Mayor Charlie Dorman distributed to county and state officials he mentions a scaled-down version of the Summerfield project, which stalled after 2008’s economic meltdown.
Royal Plus president Matt Odachowski, brother of Mark, who first proposed the project more than a decade ago, has purchased 400 acres of the original property, which is adjacent to the Pocomoke River, and is “looking for a way to make the project make sense.”
“I’ve not decided 100 percent what I want to do. I want houses. I want some commercial space, and I’m figuring out what else I want to put there. I want it to be positive for the town,” Odachowski said.
Snow Hill officials confirmed no paperwork, designs or plans for the reinvented development have been filed. Dorman said the project is in the discussion phase.
When the project was initially proposed, the size and scope of the development required additional water and sewer capacity, and the construction of a new wastewater treatment plant was included in the proposal for the development. Dorman said with the reduced size of the new proposal, water and sewer access isn’t a problem for the town’s existing plant, which was upgraded in 2014.
“I like the town. I like the area. The people are very supportive and nice. It’s where our corporate offices are located, and I want to keep the whole nucleus together,” Odachowski said. “We’re discussing the annexation agreement and the development of rights and responsibilities.
“I want to bring jobs and new homeowners to the area,” he said.
In the letter, Dorman estimates 800 new homes could be placed on the site, which could bring in new residents and more business to the so far somnolent downtown.
According to the U.S. census, Snow Hill had about 2,400 residents in 2000 and about 2,100 in 2010. Dorman now estimates the population of the town has shrunk to 1,900 residents with only 721 people employed within the town.
Dorman said adding residents is key to the town’s economic survival. He also endorsed another of Odachowski’s efforts, Positive Energy LLC, which seeks a license to locate a medical marijuana dispensary in the town and has applied for additional licenses to both grow and process cannabis in Snow Hill.
The state is reviewing applications for medical marijuana operations and is expected to render decisions on licenses later this year.
Royal Plus president Matt Odachowski, brother of Mark, who first proposed the project more than a decade ago, has purchased 400 acres of the original property, which is adjacent to the Pocomoke River, and is “looking for a way to make the project make sense.”
“I’ve not decided 100 percent what I want to do. I want houses. I want some commercial space, and I’m figuring out what else I want to put there. I want it to be positive for the town,” Odachowski said.
Snow Hill officials confirmed no paperwork, designs or plans for the reinvented development have been filed. Dorman said the project is in the discussion phase.
When the project was initially proposed, the size and scope of the development required additional water and sewer capacity, and the construction of a new wastewater treatment plant was included in the proposal for the development. Dorman said with the reduced size of the new proposal, water and sewer access isn’t a problem for the town’s existing plant, which was upgraded in 2014.
“I like the town. I like the area. The people are very supportive and nice. It’s where our corporate offices are located, and I want to keep the whole nucleus together,” Odachowski said. “We’re discussing the annexation agreement and the development of rights and responsibilities.
“I want to bring jobs and new homeowners to the area,” he said.
In the letter, Dorman estimates 800 new homes could be placed on the site, which could bring in new residents and more business to the so far somnolent downtown.
According to the U.S. census, Snow Hill had about 2,400 residents in 2000 and about 2,100 in 2010. Dorman now estimates the population of the town has shrunk to 1,900 residents with only 721 people employed within the town.
Dorman said adding residents is key to the town’s economic survival. He also endorsed another of Odachowski’s efforts, Positive Energy LLC, which seeks a license to locate a medical marijuana dispensary in the town and has applied for additional licenses to both grow and process cannabis in Snow Hill.
The state is reviewing applications for medical marijuana operations and is expected to render decisions on licenses later this year.