Regional Overview
Maryland
Delaware
Pennsylvania

REGIONAL OVERIEW
Welcome to the Chesapeake Science and Security Corridor (CSSC). On behalf of the member jurisdictions among our Consortium, we invite you to visit our region on this page and learn more about the quality of life surrounding communities of Aberdeen Proving Ground have to offer.

We are proud of our communities and the attributes that make living, working and recreating throughout the region desirable for the families who live here now - and the families we will welcome as a result of Base Realignment and Closure (BRAC). A wide variety of housing opportunities, water-oriented outdoor activities, sports and recreation, spousal employment, major employers, community organizations and area attractions make life near the Chesapeake Bay an ideal location.

We welcome you to our growing defense community!

MARYLAND
Cost of Living Comparison for Maryland Counties
The Maryland State Department of Business and Economic Development developed a Cost of Living Index for all of Maryland's counties in 2005.  The relative values have remained fairly constant over time. The U.S. average equal to 100.0, the indices for Maryland counties plus the city of Baltimore for 2005 are as follows:

Source: Maryland Department of Business and Economic Development, December, 2006.

HARFORD COUNTY

Fast Facts

• Miles of Shoreline 140
• Annual Precipitation 49.77 inches
• Yearly Snowfall (Inches) 17.4
• 6,850 acres of protected Open Space
• 6,626 acres of State Parkland

Harford County is proud to be home to Aberdeen Proving Ground (APG). Harford County's prime location, highly skilled workforce, business-friendly environment and quality of life offer the ultimate setting for growing businesses and families. The county affords a low cost of living, excellent schools, an array of entertainment options and sports facilities, 140 miles of scenic shoreline, 6,600 acres of state parks, and close proximity to Baltimore, Philadelphia, and Washington, D.C. Harford County has three incorporated municipalities- Aberdeen, Bel Air (the county seat), and Havre de Grace which are each unique. These and other communities offer a host of housing options including single family, town homes, apartments and condos with convenient commutes to APG.

Nearly 500 restaurants, 8 movie theatres, 11 libraries, 6 museums, and 5 zoos/botanical gardens are within 30 miles of the county seat. Harford Community College's Amoss Center and Chesapeake Theater offer performances year round. Theaters, galleries, art/dance studios, and musical society programs attract more than 350,000 visitors each year. Nearby waterway destinations include Baltimore's Inner Harbor, Annapolis, Ocean City, Delaware beaches, and Cape May. Harford County is a growing community of 248,332 residents boasting the fastest growing labor market in the state with 5,400+ net new jobs and 17,000+ private sector jobs since 1999. Harford County provides easy access to markets in New York, New Jersey, Pennsylvania, Washington, DC and Virginia. Mainlines for CSX and Norfolk Southern railroads, MARC train and Amtrak commuter lines supply transportation to Baltimore, BWI Airport, the University of Maryland, Annapolis and D.C.

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CECIL COUNTY

Fast Facts

• Situated in the heart of the mid-Atlantic region, Cecil County is located midway between Baltimore and Philadelphia international airports and seaports, and along the Interstate 95/U.S. 40 corridor.
• About 70% of the County is rural, dotted with farms and preserved open space for hikers, bikers, and equestrians. Five major rivers and the Chesapeake Bay provide excellent recreational opportunities for boating, fishing, swimming, and hunting.
• 1,810 businesses employ over 20,000 workers: an estimated 34 of these businesses have 100 or more workers.
• Cecil County is steeped in American history, and has many historical sites and museums. Other popular attractions include Plumpton Park Zoo, outlet shopping, and special events sponsored by an active arts council and various theatre groups.
• Download a four page overview of Cecil County economic facts. (Cecil Brief Economic Facts PDF)

Moments after leaving the hustle and bustle of I-95, you're in beautiful Cecil County. Resting along the upper banks of the Chesapeake Bay, halfway between Philadelphia and Baltimore, we offer a change of pace and breathtaking scenery. Once you sample our shimmering harbors and history, rolling hillsides and horse country, antiques and outlets, and unforgettable restaurants and inns, we know you'll love Cecil!

Cecil County's convenient location on the I-95 corridor in northeastern Maryland has made it one of the state's most desirable business locations. Situated midway between the metropolitan areas of Baltimore and Philadelphia, Cecil County's strategic location offers businesses overnight access to markets in New York, New Jersey, Pennsylvania, Delaware, Virginia and Washington, DC. Main lines for CSX and Norfolk Southern railroads and Amtrak commuter lines provide additional transportation linkages.

Cecil County's 1,880 businesses employ 22,100 workers; an estimated 32 of these businesses have 100 or more workers. Key employers include a host of world-class companies such as Air Products, ATK Elkton, Basell, DuPont, General Electric, W.L. Gore & Associates, IKEA and Terumo Medical. Several major universities are within an easy commute of the County, including Washington College and the University of Delaware. Cecil College offers two year associate degrees and is also in partnership to offer four year degrees with institutions such as University of Maryland, Baltimore County. The Higher Education and Applied Technology Center in adjacent Harford County hosts undergraduate and graduate level courses through a partnership with seven major Maryland colleges and universities. Five major rivers and the Chesapeake Bay provide excellent recreational opportunities for boating, fishing and swimming. For nature enthusiasts, the Susquehanna Flats attracts ninety percent of the waterfowl traveling the Atlantic flyway. Some popular attractions include: the South Chesapeake City Historic District, C&D Canal Museum, Fair Hill Natural Resources Management Area, Elk Neck State Park, the Town of North East, Upper Bay Museum, Sinking Springs Herb Farm, two scenic byways and many other historical sites and churches. Diversity is the key with many historic sites, museums, festivals and equestrian events; you'll even find the second largest zoo in Maryland right here in Cecil County.

Cecil County is a beautiful place to be and a prosperous place for business. Strategic location, beautiful scenery, historic places and a rural feel with the amenities of a metropolitan area are all reasons to SEE CECIL.

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BALTIMORE COUNTY

Fast Facts

• Baltimore County is at the center of a compact East Coast market, surrounding the independent city of Baltimore.  Baltimore County is the largest jurisdiction in a metropolitan area with a population of more than 2.6 million.
• With 612 square miles of land, Baltimore County has the third largest land area, the third largest population (787,384), and the second highest number of jobs (375,251) in Maryland.
• Elevation - Sea level to 966 feet, typically between 200 and 700 feet.
• Shoreline - 175 miles
• Land Area - 612 square miles
• Climate - Baltimore County lies in a region midway between the northern and southern climates.  Our climate is further influenced by the moderating influences of the Chesapeake Bay and the Atlantic Ocean to the east and the Appalachian Mountains to the west.  The frost free period lasts about 186 days, typically beginning in mid April and ending in late October. 
  
  During the summer months our climate is under the influence of the largest semi-permanent high pressure system commonly know as the Bermuda High.  This system is responsible for circulating warm and humid air masses from the Deep South.  Our proximity to large bodies of water and the inflow of southerly winds contribute to the high relative humidity throughout the year.  The prevailing wind direction is from the west, with spring and winter months having the highest average wind speed.

Living in Baltimore County means a comfortable blend of waterfront living, historic neighborhoods, suburban communities, and rural landscapes, all within easy commuting distance of APG and downtown Baltimore. Baltimore County surrounds interstate 695, the area's main highway, called the Beltway.

White Marsh / Perry Hall / Parkville Distance from APG: 22 mile
White Marsh is a vibrant master-planned community near I-95 with new housing anchored by a shopping mall and a family-oriented Main Street. Nearby Perry Hall and Parkville enjoy tree-lined neighborhoods with good schools and affordable homes.

Essex/Middle River/Dundalk Distance from APG: 27 mil
Savvy investors are taking note of Dundalk, Essex, and Middle River. More than 5,000 new homes are planned or under construction, including waterfront homes, town houses, and single family communities, all near 175 miles of Chesapeake Bay shoreline.

Towson Distance from APG: 32 mile
Towson, the county seat, is a small city with its historic courthouse, corporate offices and two major universities. Restaurants, bookstores, live music venues, and a regional shopping mall anchored by Nordstrom are among the attractions.

Phoenix/Baldwin/Hunt Valley Distance from APG: 40 miles
Discover executive and golf course homes, historic farm houses and modern single family communities set against picturesque steeplechase country.

Please visit in person or online. Gateway to Living & working in Baltimore County www.baltimorecountymd.gov/go/gateway

Fast Facts

• Average Weather - Average temperatures in the spring and fall are a mild 50 to 60 degrees. In winter, temperatures aren't known to drop much lower than 30 degrees, but occasional snow is possible. Summers tend to be very hot and humid, with average temperatures in the 80s and 90s.
• Transportation - Most visitors to Baltimore choose to tour the city in a car. It's fairly easy to navigate, given its many alternating one-way streets. Parking can be rather expensive, especially if you're downtown. If you're planning to travel from the Inner Harbor to areas north, it's wise to take a cab. You can find taxis at most major hotels, the train station and scattered throughout the harbor.
• Land Area - 80.80 miles
• Population - 640,961
• Business Partners
  Baltimore City Chamber of Commerce
  Baltimore Development Corporation
  Baltimore Office of Promotion and the Arts
  Baltimore Metropolitan Council
  Downtown Partnership of Baltimore
  Baltimore Empowerment Zone
  Economic Alliance of Greater Baltimore
  Greater Baltimore Committee
  Maryland Business Council
  Mayor's Office of Minority Business Development
  Maryland Hispanic Chamber of Commerce
  Small Business Resource Center

Baltimore City is well represented by more than 225 diverse and beautiful neighborhoods. At the center is a vibrant and bustling downtown that stretches along the inner harbor waterfront and up toward our very own Washington Monument, the first in the country actually! Located throughout our neighborhoods, you will find numerous parks, quaint business districts, diverse houses of worship and friendly neighbors ready to welcome you to Baltimore.

Baltimore City is not only home to 631,000 residents; it is also the hub for such educational institutions as Johns Hopkins University and University of Maryland Baltimore, the corporate headquarters of Legg Mason, T. Rowe Price and Under Armour, and arts and culture centerpieces such as the Baltimore Symphony Orchestra, Baltimore Museum of Art, and Center Stage Theatre.

Recreation and leisure opportunities abound with our beloved Orioles and Ravens, four public golf courses, and sailing the Chesapeake Bay from area marinas. We also have independent movie theaters, community performance venues and our renowned ethnic festivals held throughout the year.

Various education opportunities exist for children within our extensive public school
system, as well as charter schools and numerous private and parochial schools located throughout the City. The housing stock varies - from apartments and condos, to our famous rowhomes, to detached single family homes -- all in neighborhoods that are walkable to the many amenities the City provides. Baltimore...Get in on it!

Visit our communities
http://www.livebaltimore.com/nb/list/ (neighborhood list)
http://www.livebaltimore.com/nb/map/ (neighborhood map)

DELAWARE
NEW CASTLE COUNTY

Fast Facts

• Population - 500,265
• New Castle County is the northernmost county in the State of Delaware.
• Land Area - 494 square-miles.
• New Castle County is a major employment center with a diverse economy.
• The County's landscapes vary from the rolling hills and forest covered "Chateau Country" in the north, to farmland and tidal marshes in the south.
• The County is strategically located in the Mid-Atlantic section of the east coast.
• New Castle County offers easy access to the region's major metropolitan centers.

New Castle County is situated at the mid-point of the New York City, Washington, D.C. I-95 and Amtrak corridor offering unparalleled access to our nation's centers of finance and government. With a population of more than half a million people, New Castle County offers a high quality living environment and reasonable costs.

Part of the Philadelphia CMSA, New Castle County is a major employment center with a diverse economy. New Castle County is home to a diverse business community with all types and sizes of businesses. Here you will find everything from one-person, home-based enterprises to large multinational corporations in the banking, financial services, technology, chemical, and pharmaceutical arenas.

With a land area of 494 square miles, the County's landscapes vary from the rolling hills and forest covered "Chateau Country" in the north, to farmland and tidal marshes in the south. With its strategic location in the Mid-Atlantic section of the east coast, New Castle County offers easy access to the region's major metropolitan centers. People all across the country are recognizing New Castle County as a wonderful place to visit and an even better place to call home.

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PENNSYLVANIA
CHESTER COUNTY

Fast Facts

• Chester County is 762 square miles or approximately 487,500 acres in size.
• The highest elevation is 1071 ft. in the Welsh Mountains in Honey Brook Township. The lowest elevation is around 70 feet along the Schuylkill River at the Montgomery County line.
• The County was created by William Penn in 1682 as one of the three original counties of Pennsylvania. There are 67 counties in Pennsylvania.
• There are 73 municipalities, consisting of 1 city, 15 boroughs, and 57 townships. All of the townships are Townships of the 2nd Class except Caln, which is a Township of the 1st Class. The Class of a township is determined by the State based on established criteria.
• The population of the County in 2004 was 465,795 people. This is an increase of 32,294 (7.4%) from the 2000 census when the population was 433,501.
• The median sales price of all homes sold in the county in 2004 was $265,000.
• The Census Bureau estimates that there were 11,701 housing units added to the housing supply from 2000 to 2004, a 7.1% increase.
• There are five County parks (Hibernia, Nottingham, Warwick, Springton Manor, and Black Rock Sanctuary) and two County trails (Struble and Chester Valley). There are also many Federal, State, and municipal parks.
• There are 168,165 acres of farmland and 1,918 farms in Chester.

Chester County is a perfect mix of a beautifully preserved agricultural heritage with the expansion and growth of high tech industry, cultural amenities and residential opportunities.

Chester County is located in Southeastern Pennsylvania's Delaware Valley Region which is approximately 30 to 45 minutes from Aberdeen Proving Ground. Its location in proximity to Philadelphia, Wilmington, New York and Baltimore offers residents and businesses a geographical advantage and economic opportunities along with beautiful scenery and historic charm.

Chester County embraces a strong and preserved agricultural heritage along with revitalization to accommodate new and expanding businesses. The area is famous for its mushroom farms and covered bridges that dot its southern region while the western portion is home to the sizable Amish population that has been part of the county for decades. The northern area includes towns, villages and parks while the eastern area comprises greater Philadelphia's high-tech corridor.

In Chester County there is a commitment to preserving its rich heritage while maintaining its continued rate of growth and change. The county boasts a reasonable living cost, diversified business base and a highly skilled workforce.

LANCASTER COUNTY

Fast Facts

• Throughout its history, agriculture has flourished in Lancaster County, thus earning this area the nickname Garden Spot of America.
• Lancaster County is one of the fastest growing and most economically stable counties in Pennsylvania, which makes this a great place to live.
•  Lancaster County offers the services and attractions of larger metropolitan areas, and yet still has the small towns and the rural country feel that gives this area a relaxed pace.
• Lancaster is very convenient to many of the east coast attractions. We are only an hour and a half away from both Philadelphia and Baltimore, two and half hours from Washington, D.C. and the New Jersey shore, and three hours from New York City. Harrisburg, Hershey, and York, PA are approximately 45 minutes down the street.
• This area has also developed a reputation for quality retirement communities & facilities that offer a full range of services.

Known worldwide as "Pennsylvania Dutch Country," Lancaster County attracts an estimated seven million tourists to its rolling farmland, historic districts and historical landmarks each year. Located within a short drive of Philadelphia, Baltimore and Washington, DC, Lancaster County is a popular destination for day trips, weekend escapes and extended vacations.

In Dutch Country, you'll have the once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to partake in such activities as touring an Amish farm, visiting a one-room schoolhouse and riding over the rolling countryside in a steam train or horse and buggy. You can also enjoy wonderful antique shops, boutiques, restaurants, galleries and historic sites. Additionally, Lancaster is home to some of the region's best shopping with outlet centers including high end brand names such as Coach, Lenox and Pfaltzgraf.

Lancaster County isn't just about the Amish! Almost every small town in the county has a National Historic District. The historic town of Strasburg has one of the most beautiful and best-preserved main streets, as well as the oldest and most remarkable short-line railroad in the country. Marietta Borough is a preserved mid-19th century lumber/industrial community, while Little Britain Township, site of historic Kirks Mill, is a mid-18th century rural village developed around the gristmill.

Visit our communities
http://www.co.lancaster.pa.us/lanco/site/default.asp

PENNSYLVANIA
YORK COUNTY

Fast Facts

• Within 2 hours of Philadelphia and Washington, D.C.
• Only 45 minutes from Baltimore, MD
• Just 30 minutes from Harrisburg, the state capital.
• Easy access from four major travel arteries
  (Route 30, Interstate 83, Interstate 95, and Interstate 76)
• Railways connect to CSX and Norfolk Southern
• Third largest manufacturing county in Pennsylvania
• Skilled workforce with strong work ethics
• LERTA (Local Area Revitalization Tax Assistance) available in six York County communities
• Foreign Trade Zone fosters York-based companies' growth in international markets

York County, with its convenient location in south central Pennsylvania, offers a tempting packaging for companies - and residents - looking to relocate. Its many attributes present York County as an attractive locale with a strong economy, affordable living, picturesque surroundings, and a skilled workforce. York has so much to offer because of the perfect balance between rural and urban lifestyles while maintaining its historic charm.

The rolling hills are breathtaking and are sprinkled with many thriving family farms. You can take a short drive to the country, down the road to new shopping centers with every suburban amenity, or travel a few miles into York City. There, you'll find cultural attractions, farm markets, state of-the-art performing arts centers, a historic hotel, eateries, shops, a beautifully renovated library, 20 outdoor murals, and the start of a 42-mile jogging/biking trail.

From manufacturing to retail, healthcare, real estate, agriculture and education, our strong business base showcases York's diverse business and industry sector. The revitalization of downtown York is in full swing, and it shows with the Northwest Triangle development program, the Keystone Innovation Zone, and the York Revolution's Sovereign Bank Stadium. The York Revolution team hit a home run in the Atlantic Baseball Series with a serious stadium project that will create job opportunities and spur economic activity in the downtown area.

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