On a crisp November morning, community members, local leaders, and families gathered for the grand opening of Port Street Commons — a vibrant new campus developed by The Arc Central Chesapeake Region in the heart of Easton. It marked not just the ribbon-cutting of a building, but the culmination of a vision five years in the making — one centered on inclusion, equity, and opportunity.
At the helm of that vision is Jonathon Rondeau, President and CEO of The Arc Central Chesapeake Region. Standing before the crowd at the grand opening, he spoke not just of bricks and mortar, but of purpose.
“Port Street Commons is about creating a community where everyone belongs,” Rondeau says. “It’s a place where people with disabilities — and really all people — can live, work, and thrive together.”
A Dual Purpose
The Port Street Commons project combines two vital components: The Arc’s new Eastern Shore headquarters and nine units of affordable housing developed through its housing subsidiary, Chesapeake Neighbors. Together, they represent a bold step toward community-centered services and inclusive housing.
Inside the new Arc facility is a community hub offering behavioral health support, professional development, and office space for staff who serve more than 400 individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities across the region. Nearby, nine families now call the apartments home — families who previously struggled to find high-quality, affordable housing in Easton.
“Affordable housing has always been central to our mission,” says Rondeau. “We still own our first duplex from the 1970s in Anne Arundel County. That foundation — providing a stable, safe place to live — allows people to build the rest of their lives.”
A Home on the Eastern Shore
The Arc has quietly but steadily expanded its footprint on the Eastern Shore over the past two decades, with a marked acceleration in recent years. Since 2018, its presence has grown by 83%, now supporting hundreds of individualsacross the Mid-Shore and beyond.
But Port Street Commons is just the beginning. The Arc is already developing two other significant projects — Easton Crossing, a six-and-a-half-acre mixed-use site combining commercial and market-rate housing with affordable units, and Silo Court, a 28-unit townhome development that includes workforce housing. All are part of a long-term strategy to build a more inclusive and accessible region.
“We’re not just a disability service provider,” Rondeau explains. “We’re doing community development. We’re looking at the whole picture — housing, employment, behavioral health — because they’re all connected.”
Changing the Narrative
Rondeau believes public perception has shifted in recent years. Disability, he says, is no longer viewed as something separate or rare — a change accelerated by the COVID-19 pandemic and a growing societal awareness of inclusion.
“At some point in your life, you will likely have a disability,” he says. “We support people across a wide spectrum, and our role is to help them live the lives they want — lives full of work, connection, relationships, and community.”
This holistic, person-centered approach is evident not only in the services offered but in the seamless way the people The Arc supports are woven into everyday life in Easton. Rondeau often points out that locals might not even realize when they’re interacting with someone receiving support from The Arc — whether at the YMCA, downtown shops, or festivals in nearby St. Michaels.
A Local Commitment
The Arc’s decision to invest in Easton and Talbot County wasn’t by chance. Rondeau credits the region’s openness and strong sense of community for making it a natural choice.
“Talbot County welcomed us,” he says. “They were willing to partner, to imagine what was possible. Easton is also centrally located, making it ideal for us as we serve the Chesapeake region from Anne Arundel to Ocean City.”
There’s also an economic impact. Of the $11 million invested in Port Street Commons, 63% of subcontractors were local. That’s not just an investment in services — it’s an investment in the local economy and workforce.
Choice and Community
For Rondeau, one of the most important elements of The Arc’s work is giving families and individuals the power of choice.
“People with disabilities deserve the same options the rest of us have,” he says. “Whether it’s who cuts your hair, what doctor you see, or what support agency you work with — it should be about fit, about connection.”
This commitment to choice also pushes The Arc to maintain high-quality standards and fosters healthy collaboration within the broader nonprofit sector — something that sets Talbot County apart.
“There’s a reason so many nonprofits thrive here,” says Rondeau. “It’s because they were created to meet unmet needs — and those needs still exist. The diversity of missions strengthens our community.”
Looking Ahead
Port Street Commons is just one chapter in The Arc’s evolving story. With more affordable housing developments in the pipeline and expansion plans include reaching toward Salisbury and the Lower Shore, the organization is poised to deepen its impact across the region.
But for Rondeau, success isn’t just measured in numbers or buildings. It’s measured in lives — in the families who now have a home they can afford, in the individuals who’ve found purpose and belonging, and in the community that continues to embrace inclusion as a shared value.
“This is what progress looks like,” Rondeau says. “Not just for people with disabilities — but for all of us.”
About Talbot County Department of Economic Development and Tourism
The Talbot County Department of Economic Development and Tourism’s mission is to enhance and promote a business-friendly environment for current and prospective enterprises and to advocate for policies that support and strengthen the economic vitality of Talbot County. The department’s vision for Talbot County is built on the principles of strong communities, empowered businesses, and innovative solutions.
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