The Charles County Commissioners visited two businesses in Hughesville Tuesday, May 24 as part of their economic development tour.

All American Harley-Davidson is prominently located between MD Route 5 (familiarly known in the vicinity as the Hughesville Bypass) and Old Leonardtown Road (familiarly known in Hughesville as Main Street). The location serves as the headquarters for H.D.W. Ltd., which is the umbrella for 10 other businesses located in Southern Maryland and the Washington, DC Metropolitan area.

“We’ve found Hughesville to be a fantastic location,” said Les Gooding, H.D.W. Ltd.’s controller. “Hughesville seems to be a nice, central location.”

Gooding said All American Harley Davidson is a $39 million a year business, has nearly 40 employees and draws customers from all over Southern Maryland and parts of Virginia.

Ray Mertz, a developer and vice president of the Hughesville Business and Civic Alliance (HBCA) showed the commissioners plans for a business park that will be located on a 50-acre tract across Route 5 from All American Harley-Davidson. Hughesville Station is envisioned to be a blend of various offices that could provide as many as 350 jobs.

Mertz explained the preliminary plan for Hughesville Station has already been approved by the Charles County Planning Commission. The developer is working with the Maryland State Highway Administration to create a full service intersection, complete with signal lights, to provide safer and easier access across Route 5 from Old Leonardtown Road.

“In 18 to 24 months, we hope to deliver a 10-acre portion for development,” said Mertz.

The commissioners and their entourage then traveled south on Old Leonardtown Road to Hughesville Barn. The old tobacco barn, which was built in 1938, is now a venue where antiques, used furniture, fixtures and other treasures are sold.

“We are at the beginning of a long road,” said Pauline Brewer, HBCA president, who explained her group envisions a renovated and expanded barn has the potential to be a 3,000-seat concert hall and/or banquet room.

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