PINEY POINT, Md. — A full house filled the seats at the Piney Point Lighthouse Museum on Monday, Nov. 3, for a community information meeting where Offshore Aviation Group outlined its purchase and redevelopment plans for the 320-acre Piney Point Petroleum Terminal, a long-dormant industrial site on the St. Mary’s County waterfront.
Offshore Aviation Group, a veteran-owned firm based in St. Mary’s County, said it intends to convert the property into a private, limited-use aviation and maritime test center focused on unmanned systems.
“This is a dream come true,” CEO Robert Hicks told residents. “It’s about restoring a neglected property, creating jobs, and building an environmentally responsible future for aviation, maritime, and land-based systems in Southern Maryland.”
Hicks said the company’s first priority is environmental remediation, which will be carried out by the seller’s affiliate — Commercial Development Company and its EnviroAnalytics partners — under existing state and federal permits. “We’re the new owner, but they’re doing the cleanup,” Hicks said. “They’re pulling the permits, and they remain responsible for removing the tanks, the pier pipeline, and all the legacy oil infrastructure.”
County Commissioner Eric Colvin (R-District 1) opened the session by thanking residents for showing up and keeping an open mind. “It’s good that you care about your community,” he said. “And it’s good that you’re here, because it shows you’re open-minded — you’re not sitting at home forming opinions without getting more information.”
Colvin said he has already met with Offshore Aviation Group and understands residents’ curiosity about the company. “Anytime a new business comes in, you wonder what kind of neighbor they’re going to be,” he said. “From what I’ve seen, they already have a proven track record as a good neighbor.”
He added that the long-vacant property had drawn concern about what might eventually move in. “There was a lot of worry about what could show up there and things that were out of our control,” Colvin said. “I’m really hopeful about the plan they’ve presented and the direction they’re taking.”
Operations And Timeline
Hicks emphasized that the company’s operations would remain low-impact. “We’ve been flying here for about 10 years,” he said. “We’ve flown hundreds of sorties — zero mishaps, zero complaints. We want to keep that record going.”
He explained that Offshore Aviation currently builds and tests small Group 1–3 unmanned aircraft — systems typically weighing under 120 pounds. “If you haven’t seen or heard us yet, you probably won’t,” he said. “The sound is about like a weed whacker or a leaf blower a few hundred feet away.”
Manned flights would be limited to occasional operations tied to testing and logistics if the site’s World War II-era runway is restored and certified as a private-use airport by the Maryland Aviation Administration and the FAA.
A preliminary buildout envisions:
- Year 1: Tank and pipeline demolition, site stabilization, and runway repairs.
- Year 2: Construction of new Offshore Aviation Group facilities, hangar space, and an unmanned-technology center.
- Year 3: Heritage components honoring the site’s WWII torpedo-testing history and exploratory planning for a small private seaplane base on the Potomac River.
- Years 4–5: Expansion into light manufacturing and partnership space for related firms.
Hicks estimated the redevelopment could support about 90 jobs at early full capacity, with around $9 million in annual payroll.
Traffic, Noise, And Access
Addressing community concerns, Hicks said truck traffic would not cut through residential areas. “Our shipping and receiving will be direct to the industrial site off Route 249,” he said. “Lighthouse Road is a residential right-of-way, and we understand that. It’s beautiful — just not suitable for industrial deliveries.”
He also said night operations are not planned. “We fly during daylight hours and design our routes to avoid overflying homes or beaches,” Hicks said.
Environmental Oversight
Several residents pressed for details on contamination and demolition methods. Hicks reiterated that environmental contractors, not Offshore Aviation, hold responsibility for permits and compliance. “We’ll make sure you can hear directly from the cleanup team,” he said. “They’ve already steam-cleaned and inspected the tanks, and EPA has approved those steps. There aren’t millions of gallons of residue sitting there — that cleanup has already been done.”
He said all remaining removals will proceed under state and federal oversight. “Cleanup comes first,” Hicks said. “When it’s complete, you’ll see a waterfront that’s safer, cleaner, and better stewarded than it has been in decades.”
Community Outreach
Hicks said the company intends to hold additional neighborhood meetings, post presentation materials online, and continue livestreaming sessions for those who can’t attend in person. “We’re not doing anything behind closed doors,” he said. “We want to be open and transparent and listen more than we talk.”
He added that Offshore Aviation is exploring opening overflow parking on its land to support community events at the adjacent Piney Point Lighthouse Museum.
Background
Offshore Aviation Group announced its acquisition of the Piney Point terminal on Sept. 29, pledging to remove the property’s aging oil infrastructure, reopen Piney Point Creek to recreational boaters, and repurpose the site for research, testing, and limited manufacturing tied to unmanned systems.
The property was originally developed as a torpedo-test range and airfield during World War II, later operated as a private airport, and eventually served as an oil terminal until its closure.
“We live here, too,” Hicks told attendees in closing. “We’re your neighbors, and we share your concerns about peace, safety, and the natural beauty of Piney Point. Our goal is to make this a win-win — for the community and for the industry we represent.”
No construction start dates were announced Monday. Company officials said demolition permits are in process and schedules will be published as agency approvals are granted.
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For those that live in Pinny Point,, Be careful of what you vote for,,
I have a friend who always has to go to pump out,, This whole area is not good for
development of any service to the people who live here.
Think about it,, Pointy Point is already under water and a large company is not the best music for you.