A group of local business leaders, politicos, real estate professionals and hotel executives met this week to congratulate Evens Charles, president and CEO of Frontier Development, on his latest development project in Prince George’s County.
With a new Homewood Suites by Hilton becoming part of the ‘Downtown Largo’ hospitality offerings by late 2018, the Nov. 6 gathering not only marked the official groundbreaking ceremony for this $20 million project, but Charles’ second hotel in the county.
“Since the day we indicated that we wanted to build ‘Downtown Largo’ and make it a hub for health care, the business community has responded by bringing new housing, restaurants, retail and hotels like this exciting new Homewood Suites to the area,” said County Executive Rushern Baker, who attended the event. “We are creating $7 million to $8 billion in development within the 500 square miles of Prince George’s County. It is exciting to watch Largo transform into the downtown area we envisioned, and I want to thank Evens Charles and the Frontier Development and Hospitality Group for bringing Homewood Suites to Prince George’s County.”
The new Homewood Suites by Hilton will include 116 suites and 2,700 square feet of flexible meeting space, with the county providing $1.5 million in Economic Development Incentive Funds. The $20 million project is also expected to create 41 new hospitality jobs.
More than 100 supporters, including Del. Darryl Barnes, Prince George’s County State’s Attorney Angela Alsobrooks, council member Andrea Harrison and Prince George’s County Economic Development Corporation President and CEO Jim Coleman, attended the event where Charles expressed appreciation for the Hilton organizations.
“I’ve had great joy doing business in Prince George’s County,” Charles said. “Everyone has been so hospitable and supportive. We are fortunate to be in a sell market where there is significant economic growth happening here. There is a new regional hospital coming, metro accessibility, retail and residential development, and entertainment that is merging into this live, work and play ‘Downtown Largo.’ Out of any other places that I have done business, this is my favorite, by far.”
Coleman added that he was proud of EDC’s partnership with the project.
“At the EDC, we are stewards of County Executive Baker’s vision for providing meaningful financing options to businesses,” Coleman said. “When we saw the job growth and economic impact of this project, we had to get in on the action by investing $1.5 million. Evens Charles is the epitome of the American Dream. He started from humble beginnings and is now the principal of a hospitality development group that’s making a difference in Prince George’s County.”