Anne Arundel County, MD (July 29, 2025) – County Executive Steaurt Pittman and the Anne Arundel Economic Development Corporation (AAEDC) announced the opening of Request for Proposals (RFP) for qualified consulting firms to conduct a comprehensive economic and market study and feasibility assessment for the development of a Regional Agricultural Center (RAC) in Southern Maryland at the Lothian Grain Elevator site. The deadline to submit proposals is August 25, 2025.
“To grow a stronger local and regional agricultural economy, our farmers need infrastructure close to home that allows them to process, package, and move their products efficiently and profitably,” said County Executive Steuart Pittman. “This RFP will help determine how an Agricultural Center would support our farms, strengthen Maryland agriculture, and deliver nutritious food to our communities. I look forward to working with our stakeholders, particularly our farmers, to get it right.”
The RAC is envisioned as a multi-purpose facility that could include USDA-inspected meat processing, value-added food production, cold storage, commercial kitchen space, and product aggregation and distribution, all services that individual farms often cannot afford on their own. Local livestock producers currently travel long distances for meat processing, limiting both production and sales. A closer facility would allow farms to expand sustainable grazing operations and meet growing consumer demand for local, grass-fed meats.
The project seeks to evaluate current and future demand, stakeholder needs, and infrastructure requirements. The feasibility study will be conducted in two phases. Phase I will include a market and demand analysis with a robust engagement of regional farmers and stakeholders. If results support proceeding, Phase II will explore facility design, operational models, budget, and implementation strategies.
“The exploration of a Regional Agriculture Center in Anne Arundel County for Southern Maryland is a vital step to determine how we can support our local food system, our farmers, and expand access to locally produced agricultural products,” said Shelley Garrett, Agriculture Business Development Director, Anne Arundel Economic Development Corporation. “We are hopeful this project provides direction on the potential to create new markets, enhance regional food security, and ensure the long-term sustainability of agriculture not just in Anne Arundel County, but throughout Maryland's agricultural markets.”
The county purchased the Lothian Grain elevator from Purdue in 2023. Farmers in the region have since shifted away from grain and are finding other transport and storage solutions. As that transition unfolded, the County continued working closely with the Southern Maryland Agricultural Development Commission (SMADC), which had been exploring the development of a Regional Agricultural Center to serve the broader region.
Interested firms must demonstrate experience conducting agricultural or food systems market research and feasibility studies, familiarity with USDA regulations and meat processing facility requirements, experience working with rural and agricultural communities, strong stakeholder engagement and facilitation capabilities, and the ability to deliver a comprehensive, actionable implementation and operation of a facility plan.
Full details and submission instructions are available in the RFP here.