CSM CSM Briefs Sen. Van Hollen on Velocity Center at Indian Head

The College of Southern Maryland welcomed U.S. Senator Chris Van Hollen and other dignitaries including Maryland Delegate Edith Patterson, Indian Head Mayor Brandon Paulin and the Naval Surface Warfare Center Indian Head Explosive Ordnance Disposal Technology Division (NSWC IHEODTD) to the college’s Velocity Center at Indian Head on July 26 as part of a briefing on the project.

“CSM plays a critical role in educating, training; working with the community, Base and businesses to make sure this area is successful—what’s great about the community here is people are working together in partnership,” Van Hollen said.

The CSM Velocity Center at Indian Head is a unique facility promoting collaboration between the college and NSWC IHEODTD.

Designed as a space for innovation and collaboration for the college, Navy and community, the CSM Velocity Center will provide professional development for Navy scientists, engineers and employees to enhance the retention of talent, offer opportunities for entrepreneurship and experimentation, recruit young talent, and build goodwill among the community outside the gate of NSWC IHEODTD.

CSM welcomes Sen. Chris Van Hollen and others to college’s #VelocityCenter at Indian Head, a place of #innovation learning and collaboration for academia, the Navy and the community @CSMPrez @ChrisVanHollen @IndianHeadMD @BrandonPaulin #NSWCIHEODTD pic.twitter.com/whlDU0OJkN

— CSM Headline News (@CSMHeadlines) July 26, 2019

“We are a community college. This is our community. We are here to support our community and to help economic development growth in this region,” CSM President Dr. Maureen Murphy told those gathered during the July 26 site visit, on the college’s ability to support NSWC IHEODTD outside the gates. “The Navy will have a flexibility they don’t have right now. We also will have space so we can engage the broader community” she added.

U.S. Senator Chris Van Hollen congratulated dignitaries gathered at the College of Southern Maryland’s Velocity Center in Indian Head, for the partnership that is creating an ecosystem to support the Navy’s efforts and a maker space for the community.

The CSM Velocity Center is a catalyst for workforce development and a small but critical part of the future creative economic development of the town of Indian Head. Its success is dependent not only on the original collaborators (CSM and NSWC IHEODTD), but on the support of the State of Maryland, the Town of Indian Head, the Military Alliance Council, and the accelerating activities of Charles County Government and Charles County Economic Development. Working in a spirit of cooperation and support, all of these entities will provide the foundation for the sustainable revitalization of Indian Head, Maryland and promote wider, regional economic development.

For photos from the site visit, see https://csmphoto.zenfolio.com/velctrvanhollen.