Seventy years ago today will always be remembered as a day of infamy. The surprise attack on Pearl Harbor would forever change the country, the world, and Maryland’s First County. The Navy’s Bureau of Aeronautics had sought to consolidate aviation test programs in the late 1930s. The actions of December 7 accelerated these plans and on December 22, 1941 authorization was granted to begin construction at Cedar Point. Development would begin in earnest in less than 5 months. Residents had until March 1, 1942, to relocate as the federal government purchased 6,412 acres at a cost of $712,287 ($111 per acre). While this seems like a Manhattan-like purchase by today’s standards, the resultant economic impact is the greatest in our county’s and region’s history, and easily recognized throughout the state and country. “Pax River” is commonplace in the naval aviation community’s lexicon. Our town, Lexington Park, has now attained national prominence. Named in honor of the CV-2, the Navy’s 3rd commissioned aircraft carrier lost during the Battle of the Coral Sea on May 8, 1942 just as Pax was starting construction, is now the highest earning median income micropolitan statistical area in the nation. Why? NAS Pax River. $111 per acre now seems a pretty good investment.
Looking back to the 1940s, and later to the 1990s with BRAC reminds us of the broad impact of development. Granted, Pax River was initiated for national security purposes through eminent domain. Geographic proximity to Washington, DC has economically blessed this entire region. It’s no surprise as the highest earning median income metropolitan statistical area in the nation is Washington-Arlington-Alexandria, DC-VA-MD-WVA (which excludes St. Mary’s County). So from two fronts, very close and an hour and half’s drive north, development potential is the greatest in the nation today.
As we look around the County, 2011 is ending with visible commercial landscape changes. We have new state roads, office and retail offerings, restaurants, hotels (with our first-ever structured parking garage), churches, health care, residential options including needed senior and market rate multifamily rentals, even a homegrown farm market. On base, more temporary office and lab space anticipate permanent facilities at Pax and Webster Field.
–>
