Charles County’s identity has shifted through the decades from a rural enclave to a bustling county of housing developments where new residents and families — and others with life-long ties to this region — are pursuing their dreams and helping shape Southern Maryland.

However, this alone will not ensure the county’s economic stability for the long term. Citizens and officials alike recognize the need for broader economic-development opportunities to serve the county’s needs. High taxes and residents who have to drive long distances to work have become a reality, but robust planning policies and establishing a stronger job base and commercial sector are key to addressing these concerns. 

The West Village of La Plata (formerly called The HUB), will be an innovative mixed-use community located in the northwest quadrant of Greater La Plata (near the College of Southern Maryland campus and the Hawthorne Country Club). With a blend of desirable housing, commercial spaces, retail and recreational venues, and natural assets, The West Village will help our region grow jobs locally and be an economic engine for Charles County.

“Quality of life is an important factor in America today because it helps determine where people decide to live and fulfill their life goals,” says Bill Murray, Project Manager of The West Village of La Plata. “People choose to move to, or stay in, Charles County for its beauty, housing and land costs, good schools and proximity to other areas, but many have to spend hours driving or getting to their jobs every day. Southern Maryland already has a base of citizens and people in the region who don’t want to commute to a job every day.” 

Maryland’s leaders understand that the state’s population, employment and traffic will continue to climb. Understanding variables such as commuting patterns, county trends, where people work, and the transportation grid can help local decision-makers and hone economic development. 

Mixed-use development is on the rise all over the United States because it has environmental, economic and land-management benefits. They include creating communities that encourage walkability, affordability, various housing choices, access to amenities, less dependence on vehicles, maximizing the advantages of location, attractive buildings and work-site spaces, and sustainability. 

With the advent of connected communities and the changing nature of how people work, mixed-use walkable communities create neighborhoods that will attract employees who will want to live, raise a family, shop, and work in the same neighborhoods. In turn, this can attract more employers, including federal agencies, major corporations and companies looking to provide working spaces and job-sites in La Plata and Charles County, according to Murray.

Here are some additional Maryland Department of Transportation data that The West Village team believes buttresses why Charles County will benefit by bringing good jobs here:

— The Southern Maryland region’s population is expected to grow from 361,153 in 2016 to 474,350, or 31.3 percent, by 2040. 

— Charles County is forecasted to have a greater than 40 percent increase, which is above the state’s ranking, in Vehicle Miles Travelled (VMT) based on the Consolidated Long Range Plan (CLRP 2040 vs. CLRP 2012). 

The West Village will help bring good jobs to Southern Maryland by building neighborhoods that are modeled on best practices and reflect good quality-of-life indicators, such as: 

— respecting the area’s location, history and the charm of La Plata through traditional planning principles;

— creating tax-positive communities; 

— providing varied housing choices; 

— cultivating greener and healthier living; 

— facilitating the extension of a downtown center and a multimodal and expanded transportation grid; and 

— developing appealing spaces that can accommodate different commercial endeavors, large companies, federal jobs and alternative workplaces for those who telecommute.