Talbot County pledges support for Chesapeake College project

EASTON — The Talbot County Council approved a letter of intent to fund a Chesapeake College facility project during Tuesday’s council meeting.

The letter, sent to the Maryland Higher Education Commission, indicates the county is willing to pay its share for a Queen Anne’s Center Technical project at the Wye Mills campus. College representatives spoke to the council Tuesday, saying that the project will help the college support a slew of trade programs.

David Harper, vice president for workforce and academic programs, said he hopes the project “inspires not just students, but parents and local community members” to understand the importance of living and working locally after receiving a trade education.

The project’s estimated cost is about $56 million, with around $42 million of that expected from state funding and the rest expected from five counties served by Chesapeake College — Talbot, Caroline, Dorchester, Queen Anne’s and Kent. Talbot County’s share of the remaining funding is 21.8%, second to only Queen Anne’s County at 28.9%.

This cost, just over $3 million, will be split between fiscal years 2026, 2027 and 2028.

Karen Smith, vice president of administrative services at Chesapeake College, noted the original project had Talbot’s estimated share at more than $4 million. However, the project’s scope was reduced as the college’s marine technology program will not be included.

The facility will support agricultural, electrical, welding, HVAC, advanced manufacturing, carpentry and masonry programs.

Earlier Tuesday, Chesapeake College presented to the Caroline County Commissioners. The commission, however, elected to take time to discuss the request with the county’s finance team before pledging support.

Dorchester County, meanwhile, did not provide a letter of support. Lenny Pfeffer, president of the Dorchester County Council, pointed to the county’s Dorchester Career and Technology Center.

He also said money is tight in the county because of The Blueprint for Maryland’s Future, an ambitious public education program that many county school districts are grappling with affording.

But in Talbot County, council members expressed support for the project and voted unanimously to send the letter of intent.

“I’m so happy that this is coming,” council President Chuck Callahan said. “We definitely need it for all these counties. And it couldn’t be better timing for all these trades, that’s for sure. We definitely lack trades. … It’s going to make a difference in 10 years. It’s probably going to make a difference in five once it’s up and going.”

Tom McCall contributed reporting to this story.