Local Business Spotlight: Fello

Times are changing. Forty years ago, someone with a developmental or mental disability was a candidate for institutionalized care. Today…not so much. And locally, we can thank Fello for that!

Today we speak with Jonathon Rondeau, who is the President and CEO. Their services range from day services to workforce development to residential programs for clients and their families across the Chesapeake region on the Eastern and Western Shores of Maryland.
Read the full article here.

From The Arc to Fello: A Chat with Fello President Jonathon Rondeau

A name change for any organization, whether for-profit or nonprofit, is a significant undertaking. Beyond the costs of design and marketing, which would give any board of directors pause, it is a substantial cultural shift that leaders must navigate. Nonetheless, the payoff can be transformational.

Read the full article from The Talbot Spy here.

Introducing Fello: A New Name, Same Powerful Mission

In this special in-person episode of The Diligent Leader podcast, hosts Alex Fakeri and Holly Basta sit down with Jonathon Rondeau, President & CEO of Fello — formerly known as The Arc Central Chesapeake Region. This isn’t just a conversation about a name change. It’s about identity, evolution, and what it means to stay rooted in your mission while boldly stepping into the future. Watch the episode here.

Easton Planning Commission Approves All Buildings for Easton Crossing, Advancing Inclusive Mixed-Use Community in Talbot County

Fello Communities - Easton Crossing Development

On Tuesday, June 24, 2025, the Easton Planning Commission granted final site approval for the remaining residential buildings at Easton Crossing, marking a major milestone for the inclusive, mixed-use development. With this latest approval, all six planned buildings on the 6.5-acre site, including the previously approved 407 Brookletts Avenue, now have full planning approval.

Led by Fello Communities, Easton Crossing will transform the site of the former Perdue AgriBusiness operation, featuring a mix of affordable and market-rate housing, neighborhood-serving commercial space, and accessible green areas designed for recreation and connection. Easton Crossing will reconnect the area to the Rail-to-Trails and turn a long-vacant property into a walkable, community-focused destination.

“This is a key milestone in the process toward creating Easton’s first inclusive development,” said Ross Benincasa, Senior Vice President of Community Development for Fello Communities. “We’re thankful for the Town’s support throughout the planning stages and excited to move one step closer to construction.”

The approval includes architectural and site plans for all five remaining buildings. As part of an ongoing collaborative process with the Town of Easton and community stakeholders, Fello Communities and its development partners will present comprehensive landscaping plans for the site at a future meeting.

When complete, Easton Crossing will feature:

  • 117 new residential units, with 30% designated as affordable
  • Ground-level commercial space along the Rails-to-Trails and Brookletts Avenue
  • Community green space, walking paths, a fishing pond, and resident amenities

Ahead of construction on the residential units at 407 Brookletts Avenue, the community and leasing office for Easton Crossing is set to open this September, offering residents and neighbors a space to engage with the project, access information, and get involved.

Easton Crossing has taken shape through stakeholder meetings, neighborhood engagement, and public forums. The result is a development rooted in local vision, bringing inclusive housing, commerce, and public space together in one transformative project.

Progress is also underway on related developments led by Fello Communities:

  • Demolition at Silo Court is expected to finish by mid-July
  • Construction at Laura House, a nearby mixed-income housing project, is slated to begin by the end of July

About Fello Communities

At Fello Communities, we develop and manage housing that’s built for belonging. Through community development and rental housing, we create inclusive, affordable, and accessible homes where people of all backgrounds and abilities can choose how and where they live. Founded in 2007, Fello Communities was created to offer people more options and better opportunities when it comes to housing. Our work bridges community development and long-term property management to create homes and communities that last. Learn more at fellocommunities.org.

Mission Rooted in Values

I want to thank The Start Democrat for highlighting our recent rebrand to Fello. While the name is new, our mission remains deeply rooted in the values that have guided us for 64 years. Read the full article from the Star Democrat.