Caroline County approves development agreement with Heartland Holdings, secures $400,000 for road paving

Caroline County commissioners voted to adopt a development rights and responsibilities agreement (DRRA) with Heartland Holdings LLC for a grain-processing operation near Greensboro, approving a resolution authorizing the president to execute the agreement.

Stuart Barrell summarized the DRRA as a document authorized by Maryland land-use law that formalizes obligations and vested rights related to Heartland’s grain facility at 14010 River Road on roughly 160 acres. The agreement settles prior litigation, binds certain county obligations to the land, and requires Heartland to contribute $400,000 toward paving Sunset Road; $100,000 had already been paid before the effective date and another $100,000 is due May 1, 2028.

Barrell said the DRRA runs with the land and does not guarantee approval of future development beyond what is specified. Commissioners voted to adopt resolution 2026-004 and authorized the board president to sign the DRRA on behalf of the county.

The resolution passed by voice vote (recorded on the transcript as "the ayes have it"); staff said the county has 20 days after the agreement’s effective date to record it in the land records.