Economic rebound seen for Charles County

Several speakers at Charles County's annual Economic Development Summit said the county is well positioned to bounce back from the recession before other areas.

"We want you to leave today understanding that in Charles County, there is hope for the future," said George L. Robertson, the county's director of economic development.

Robertson said that residential and related retail growth have been historic "wealth generators" in Charles and that the trend will continue.

Robertson also highlighted a marketing campaign aimed at attracting development and businesses to the county and new investments by existing companies, such as $600 million in renovations at the Mirant plant and plans for a technology center in Indian Head.

Steve Griessel, chief executive of American Community Properties Trust, the developer of St. Charles, said foreclosures were "a nonevent" for the planned community. ACPT has signed 108 percent more contracts for townhouses and single-family homes this year than last, he said.

Griessel said ACPT is in the process of being bought out by Federal Capital Partners. He said the deal, which would make ACPT a private company, should be concluded in January.

Christian S. Johannson, secretary of Maryland's Department of Business and Economic Development, said Charles's unemployment rate is where the rest of the country's rate was before the recession. He said U.S. unemployment is 9.8 percent; Maryland's is 7.2 percent; and Charles's is 5.9 percent.

Calvert County NAACP to celebrate 75 years

The Calvert County Branch of the NAACP will celebrate 75 years of service at its annual fall luncheon at noon Saturday at the Rod 'N' Reel Restaurant in Chesapeake Beach. The luncheon's topic will be genealogy and research techniques, led by a member of the Calvert County Historical Society. Tickets are $40. For information, call 410-535-0413, 410-535-2730 or 410-535-2506.

Technology training for displaced workers

Microsoft has agreed to provide 13,500 vouchers to Marylanders for free technology training to displaced workers.

"Giving people the important job and technology proficiencies to succeed will help to boost our state's employment and improve the quality of our world-class workforce. We are excited to work with Microsoft on such an important program," Gov. Martin O'Malley (D) said in a statement.

Microsoft has partnered with the state's Department of Labor, Licensing and Regulation to distribute the vouchers statewide during the next 90 days to the state's One-Stop Career Centers, its community college system and the Maryland State Department of Education's Division of Rehabilitative Services.

Among the courses are basic technology literacy and intermediate-level technology skills. A portion of the vouchers will be issued to Maryland residents for Microsoft Certification Exams, at no cost to recipients.