"Our dilemma is that Route 1 is steeped in a lot of history and that history includes these small parcels that are owned by people and families for generations that have long since left the area. It is very difficult for anybody to get together enough land to get a project going," said Vernon Thompson, executive vice president of the Howard County Economic Development Authority. "And then everyone thinks their property is worth millions and millions of dollars, when really, that's not the case."