The 1,400-acre Hunt Ray Farm in Queen Anne’s County has been chosen as the preferred site to build a new Foreign Affairs Security Training Center.
That decision by the General Services Administration was announced today by Sens. Barbara Mikulski and Benjamin Cardin and Rep. Frank Kratovil, all Maryland Democrats.
The Hunt Ray Farm, located a few miles ouside of Centreville, south of Rt. 301 and next to Tuckahoe State Park, would become the core of a 2,000-acre school teaching security skills to the American diplomatic corps. The students, trainers and support staff brought into the area would have great economic impact on northern Queen Anne’s County.
“This is a big win for Maryland. The training facility is good news for three reasons: jobs, jobs and more jobs for Maryland,” said Senator Mikulski, a member of the Senate Select Committee on Intelligence.
“I’m proud Queen Anne’s County has been selected to house a facility dedicated to keeping Americans abroad safe, secure and protected.”
Senator Cardin, a member of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee, said, “The selection of the 2,000-acre site in Queen Anne’s County as the preferred location for a new State Department Diplomatic Training facility is a winner for our country and for the residents of Queen Anne’s County.
“This site will provide new job opportunities for residents of Queen Anne’s County and it will benefit our nation to have a consolidated embassy security training facility on the Eastern Shore near Washington, D.C.”
Rep. Kratovil said, “This announcement is a big win for the Eastern Shore economy. This new facility will immediately create hundreds of construction jobs and will support 500 new full-time positions once completed. The construction workers, permanent staff, and students housed at this facility will inject millions of dollars into the local economy and support small businesses throughout the area.”
Under the agreement, the State Department will buy 2,000- acres of land in Queen Anne’s County to build a State Department diplomatic training facility. Up to 1,250 acres may be developed.
The Foreign Affairs Security Training Center will consolidate training that is currently spread across nineteen separate facilities. The next step in this process is negotiations between the GSA and owners of the property for the acquisition of the property.
The GSA has also announced its intention to hold a public hearing/comment period to give Queen Anne’s County residents an opportunity to voice their ideas and concerns about the facility. More information will be released when it becomes available.
According to website realty listings, the Hunt Ray Farm has been on the market for $20 million. It currently employs five people.
Every year, thousands of Foreign Service officers and their families move overseas to work in American embassies and consulates around the world. The Foreign Affairs Security Training Center will help them learn tips and tricks to stay safe and secure in environments where terrorists thrive.
Kevin Shertz says
This is wonderful news for Queen Annes and the Eastern Shore as a whole. My wife and I have personal friends serving in the Foreign Service overseas – including the U.S. Embassy in Iraq – and know well the important work they do on our behalf as a nation.