Rivers & Roads

Momentum continues with the final community meeting for Easton Crossing–a proposed mixed-use community located near downtown Easton, MD. Rivers & Roads partner and Senior VP of Community Development, Ross Benincasa, guided attendees through renderings of the development and how Chesapeake Community Development adjusted plans and concepts to accommodate feedback shared by neighboring residents. Rivers & Roads, Sam Shoge, emceed the event and guided attendees through activities designed to generate discussion and feedback.

We recently had the privilege of working with the Juvenile Services Education Program (JSEP) Board to facilitate a strategic planning retreat. Led by Rivers & Roads consultant Chris Wheedleton, the retreat focused on refining JSEP’s mission, vision, and priorities to better serve youth in Maryland’s juvenile detention centers. The session resulted in key outcomes, including: ✅ A clearer mission to empower every student through individualized education. ✅ Strategic priorities to strengthen governance, prepare for accreditation, and deepen community engagement. ✅ Actionable steps to align with state initiatives like the Blueprint for Maryland’s Future. Chris’s expertise in facilitation and strategic planning played a central role in guiding the Board through meaningful discussions and actionable planning. If your organization could benefit from expert facilitation and strategic planning services, reach out to Rivers & Roads. #StrategicPlanning #Facilitation #EducationLeadership #RiversAndRoads

Congratulations to Rivers & Roads consultant, Chris Wheedleton, for being elected to the Board of Education for Dorchester County Public Schools. Wheedleton was appointed to the board in 2023 to replace former board member Laura Layton, who resigned from the board that April. Wheedleton won against Jerome Harris to maintain his seat in the recent Nov. 5 general election.

We’re proud to celebrate the successful completion of the Minority Entrepreneurship Training Accelerator (META) pilot program! Developed by Rivers & Roads for Upper Shore Community Development Partners and funded by Queen Anne’s County Economic and Tourism Development, META is a six-month program designed to empower minority entrepreneurs through tailored workshops, coaching, and networking opportunities. Participants gained essential skills in market research, business planning, financial management, and more. Led by Rivers & Roads Partner Samuel Shoge, the program combined hands-on training with personalized coaching to address each business's unique challenges. META’s impact is already evident. Participants have refined their strategies, expanded their networks, and positioned their businesses for long-term growth. We’re excited to see the continued success of these entrepreneurs and look forward to future opportunities to support impactful programs like META.

Catch a glimpse of the work we get to be involved in. Read the full press release about how our consultant, Chris Wheedleton, is a part of the vanguard of this exciting and much-needed initiative --> https://bit.ly/4if3fQF

We’re pleased to welcome Margaret K. to the Rivers & Roads team! Margaret joins the team with more than a decade of experience in nonprofit management, grant writing, and community development, bringing a proven ability to secure critical funding, implement strategic initiatives, and drive meaningful growth. In her most recent role as Executive Director of Cambridge Main Street, Margaret’s leadership led to a 213% increase in the organization’s operating budget, allowing for expanded services and a stronger community impact. At Rivers & Roads, Margaret will apply her expertise in grant writing and resource development to support clients in achieving their goals. We look forward to seeing her contributions as we continue to strengthen and empower communities. #CommunityDevelopment #GrantWriting #RiversAndRoads

We’re excited to share that our consultant, Chris Wheedleton, is partnering with the University of Maryland, Baltimore (UMB) to strengthen healthcare education opportunities on Maryland's Eastern Shore. Through the Eastern Shore Rural Healthcare Educational Opportunities Initiative, Chris is helping to build a sustainable talent pipeline of healthcare professionals dedicated to serving rural communities. This partnership is a major step forward in addressing the unique healthcare needs of the region. Chris’s role includes facilitating critical connections with stakeholders, managing key project deliverables, and supporting UMB in crafting educational pathways that will positively impact both students and the Eastern Shore community. We’re proud to be part of this important work and to continue our commitment to impactful community initiatives. #CommunityDevelopment #HealthcareEducation #WorkforceDevelopment #EasternShore #RiversAndRoads

Chris Wheedleton recently wrapped up an incredible leadership development session where he worked with the 2024 Fellows of the International Fresh Produce Association. This dynamic group of leaders from across the globe dove deep into Executive Presence and what it means to lead in today’s fast-paced world. It was an inspiring day at Chesapeake Farms, filled with thoughtful discussion and hands-on learning. At Rivers & Roads, we focus on equipping leaders with the tools they need to succeed in today’s evolving business landscape. If your organization is looking to build stronger leaders and foster meaningful change, let’s connect. #LeadershipDevelopment #ExecutivePresence #Leadership #LeadershipTraining

We’re proud to announce that Rivers & Roads is a sponsor of the 2024 Main Street Maryland Conference! This event, organized by the Maryland Department of Housing and Community Development (DHCD) and the MEDA (Maryland Economic Development Association) (MEDA), celebrates the incredible work happening on Main Streets across the state. At Rivers & Roads, we believe in the power of Main Streets to bring people together, drive local economies, and preserve the unique character of our communities. We’re thrilled to support this conference and help shape a bright future for Maryland’s Main Streets! #CommunityDevelopment #MainStreet #EconomicRevitalization #RiversAndRoads #MainStreetMaryland #SmallTownSuccess #Sponsorship #Revitalization #EconomicDevelopment #LocalEconomies

After months of analysis, interviews, and data crunching, we’re excited to announce the completion of our comprehensive economic impact study for Charlestown, MD. Charlestown is at the center of several regional economic development projects including: - The installation of an interchange on I-95 - The expansion of a business park - The expansion of a key rail bridge serving Amtrak and MARC - The proposed expansion of MARC services to connect with SEPTA - The eventual redevelopment of a sand and gravel mine into a mixed-use community Funded by the Upper Shore Regional Council, this report outlines key strategies Charlestown can implement to leverage these regional economic development projects while preserving the town's historic charm. From infrastructure upgrades to commercial corridor planning, we provided actionable insights to position Charlestown for long-term success.