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Bainbridge developer reports leasing progress as Port Deposit introduces annexation and hears long delay on Tome State Park transfer
Summary
Bainbridge Development Corporation told Port Deposit council that several Bainbridge parcels have tenants or active negotiations, while a proposed 34-acre annexation was introduced and the DNR transfer of Tome State Park land remains delayed, possibly years away.
Bainbridge Development Corporation leaders updated the Port Deposit Town Council on May 19 on leasing, permitting and annexation plans, and warned that state processes are delaying the expected transfer of land for the proposed Tome State Park.
BDC Chair Carl Roberts and Executive Director Toni Sprenkle reported that Lot A in Phase 1 has been sold to a tenant and Building B has been leased by Ryder; Lot C is in advanced tenant negotiations while Lot D has not attracted interest. Council members raised concerns about truck traffic and staging around Building B; BDC said developer MRP Industrial has been responsive to those concerns.
Sprenkle described a proposed annexation of an approximately 34-acre parcel in Bainbridge Phase 1A tied to planned road work including extension of Diamond Jim Road, decommissioning Manor Road and a new connection to Powers Road. Town Administrator Vicky Rinkerman introduced Resolution 11-2026 to begin the annexation process and said the resolution will be referred to the Planning Commission for public hearing and later final consideration.
Sprenkle told the council that new forest-conservation requirements and Tier 2 watershed restrictions have significantly limited development potential on the Phase 1A parcel under current regulations; she said residential development is unlikely unless future legislative relief is enacted. The BDC also reported that AquaCon remains interested in Lot 2D but is awaiting a Maryland Department of the Environment discharge permit while environmental cleanup and closeout work continue toward regulatory signoff expected in late 2026 or early 2027.
The BDC said there is private-sector interest in off-grid power data center development at Bainbridge but that any pilot-program authority would likely depend on the 2027 legislative session. Separately, BDC reported the landfill solar project is advancing, with grading expected this summer and commercial operation targeted for summer 2027; Ms. Sprenkle clarified that the solar installation is planned to sell power into the Delmarva grid and will not directly supply power to Bainbridge buildings or prospective data centers.
On the proposed Tome State Park land, the BDC said the Department of Natural Resources transfer that was required by statute on June 1, 2025 remains unresolved because of survey, subdivision, access and land-use restriction issues. Roberts told the council the transfer is currently estimated at two to three years away and that public access could be a decade out. He also said BDC spent $33,000 to secure the headmaster's house and that the corporation has borne maintenance and security costs with no State reimbursement.
The town’s Planning Commission is scheduled to consider the annexation resolution on June 25; next steps include the Planning Commission review and a subsequent public hearing before final council action.
