A Week In Business

Contracts On Rise

BERLIN – Increased contracts in all three counties on the Lower Eastern Shore reflect a busy start to the spring real estate market, according to the latest figures from the Coastal Association of REALTORS® (CAR).

This is a snapshot of March housing statistics compiled by CAR. Submitted Image

This is a snapshot of March housing statistics compiled by CAR. Submitted Image

CAR’s local housing statistics for March 2016 showed an overall 14 percent increase in contracts, or pending sales, in Somerset, Wicomico, and Worcester counties, compared to the same time last year. Individually, single family home sales in Worcester County increased by 9 percent, increased by 18.3 percent in Wicomico County, and remained steady in Somerset County. Condominium contracts increased by 9.1 percent in Worcester County, by 175% in Wicomico County, and by 200% in Somerset County.

Settlements were largely down, compared to the same time last year, with the exception of a 16.7% increase in condominium settlements in Wicomico County.

Days on market showed an overall decrease of 16.4 percent. Local inventory increased by 5.4 percent. Listing and sales prices were down by 0.6 percent and 0.4 percent, respectively, compared to February 2016.
“The increase in contracts points to a very busy start to the spring season for our members,” said CAR President Linda Moran. “Those contracts will translate into settlements in the coming months, and more contract starts will be reflected as optimal weather for showing properties sets in for the summer. Also look for condominium activity to continue increasing as more folks visit the area and decide this is a wonderful place for a second home or investment property.”

CAR’s monthly local housing statistics are pulled from the association’s Multiple Listing Service, which represents the activity of over 1,000 local REALTORS® in Somerset, Wicomico and Worcester counties.

New Bays Director Named

BERLIN — The Maryland Coastal Bays Program (MCBP) has announced Frank Piorko has begun his position as the new executive director of the program, effective April 4.

Frank Piorko

Frank Piorko

Part of the National Estuary Program, the Maryland Coastal Bays Program is a non-profit partnership among the towns of Ocean City and Berlin, Worcester County, the National Park Service, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, and the Maryland Departments of Natural Resources, Agriculture, Environment and Planning. The program works closely with Worcester County residents and local environmental groups to ensure the most practical strategies are pursued, implemented and monitored for success.

Piorko, a veteran of natural resource management programs throughout the Mid-Atlantic region, has spent the past 25 years with the Delaware Department of Natural Resources and Environmental Control, and the last six years as Director of the Division of Watershed Stewardship.

“The Board of Directors is delighted to have a leader with Frank’s experience which we are certain will facilitate implementation of the Coastal Bays Management Plan,” said Steve Taylor, chairman of the Maryland Coastal Bays Foundation.

“I’m very excited to be joining the leadership of a great team of science and action oriented individuals and partners; committed to protecting and enhancing the watershed, which includes Ocean City, Ocean Pines, Berlin, and coastal communities east of Snow Hill and Pocomoke as well as Assateague Island National Seashore,” said Piorko. “Our watershed partners represent a diverse landscape that includes an ocean resort area, protected open space, a vibrant agricultural presence and of course over 100,000 acres of water and wetlands. The opportunities are endless for development and execution of strategies that will implement the recently updated Comprehensive Conservation Management Plan for the watershed and Bays, completed in 2015.”

The Voice Radio Network Celebrated

GEORGETOWN, Del. — At its ribbon cutting on April 6, which attracted dignitaries from across Delaware, The Voice Radio Network celebrated much more than the renovation of its new facilities.

State officials congratulated Kevin Andrade on a 13-year trajectory that took him from being a recent immigrant from Ecuador to a vocal community leader and now president of Delmarva’s new network of local radio stations. Since buying the stations previously owned by Great Scott Broadcasting in February 2015, Andrade has successfully built a radio group of six frequencies, a staff of more than 30 employees and successful on-air programming for a wildly diverse listenership across Delmarva.

“We’re here to congratulate Kevin for being such a force, not only for the Latino community, but also for the economy of the area with the jobs that he has created and the hope he has given others that they too can live out the American dream,” said Gov. Jack Markell.

Pictured, from left, at The Voice Radio Network official opening of its new headquarters are Rep. Ruth Briggs-King, Delaware Department of Transportation Secretary Jennifer Cohan, State Rep. David Wilson, Sen. Bryan Townsend, Sen. Ernie Lopez, The Voice Radio Network President Kevin Andrade, Georgetown Mayor Bill West and Georgetown Chamber Executive Director Karen Duffield. 

Pictured, from left, at The Voice Radio Network official opening of its new headquarters are Rep. Ruth Briggs-King, Delaware Department of Transportation Secretary Jennifer Cohan, State Rep. David Wilson, Sen. Bryan Townsend, Sen. Ernie Lopez, The Voice Radio Network President Kevin Andrade, Georgetown Mayor Bill West and Georgetown Chamber Executive Director Karen Duffield.

Sue Dalton, who was general manager at Great Scott Broadcasting when Andrade first contacted them about taking over a station, also spoke of his undeniable determination and passion for high-quality radio programming. She said Mitchell Scott, the late chief executive of Great Scott Broadcasting who passed away in March 2013, would have been proud of The Voice Radio Network’s beautiful studio, top-tier stations and deep dedication to the community.

“He is looking down smiling at those things … [because] Kevin was able to take something that was already good and make it even better,” Dalton said.

More than 100 people attended the ribbon cutting, including Delaware Department of Transportation Secretary Jennifer Cohan, Sen. Ernie Lopez, Sen. Bryan Townsend, State Rep. Ruth Briggs-King and State Rep. David Wilson. Based in Georgetown, the group’s engaging programming has attracted a broad listenership from Central Delaware to the Eastern Shore of Virginia in just over one year of broadcasting.

Andrade, who has been a radio personality for more than 25 years, said he’s known since he first arrived in Southern Delaware that he could make difference in the region filled with welcoming people. Today his business plan for The Voice Radio Network takes to heart the good of the community, and is committed to helping the region grow economically and culturally.

“Every day, we set out to broadcast local, live shows that speak to the interests of our listeners, hosted by local personalities who take phone calls and respond to the audience,” he said. “That is what radio is supposed to sound like.”

Andrade also recognizes that the health of the community is dependent on the success of its small businesses. Business owners praise his dedication.

“Kevin truly cares about my business and changes my opportunities to drive traffic through his products based on our needs. Kevin and his team bring an enthusiasm and pride in their stations that is rarely seen in our business,” said Chris Hagel, marketing director at Pohanka of Salisbury.

That same community-minded philosophy drives the group’s management to actively support nonprofit organizations. Andrade, who sits on the board of La Esperanza community center in Georgetown, organized radiothons that have helped raise more than $256,000 in the past three years. His team is now planning a radiothon at Atlantic General Hospital.

In a short time, the stations have received widespread support. Power 101.7 FM-WZEB, which features urban contemporary music, has rapidly become one of the most listened-to stations in the area. Classic rock stations The Vault 103.5 FM-WJKI and 106.1 FM-WXSH have also attracted large audiences, catering to the slightly older listener.

Recognizing the potential to address Delmarva’s significant Hispanic population, The Voice’s Maxima 95.3 FM-WKDB reaches 95 percent of Delmarva’s Latino community and La Raza 900 AM and 100.3 FM cater to Latinos of Mexican heritage.

“Our goal is to root ourselves in the communities where we broadcast. We want to be a model for local radio done right,” he said.