Eastern Shore economic-development directors outline county projects, ask to preserve state incentives
March 14, 2026 | Eastern Shore, Delegation Committees, HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES, Committees, Legislative, Maryland
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Regional economic-development directors presented a county-by-county update to the Eastern Shore delegation on March 13, describing recent capital investment, job creation and projects that leaders said depend on state incentives and rural economic funds.
Heather Tonelli, director of economic and tourism development for Queen Anne’s County, described redevelopment east of the Bay Bridge, mixed-use projects and enterprise-zone investment, saying that in 2025 Queen Anne’s County reported $10,300,000 in capital investment and 257 jobs supported in an enterprise zone. “For every dollar invested in economic development, there is a $9.18 return,” Tonelli said.
Caroline County’s representative (Carrot Bobb) described two projects using Rural Maryland Economic Development Fund (RMEDF) awards — a $3.2 million renovation of Chop Tank Marina with $1.3 million from RMEDF and a county match that leveraged other waterway improvement funds, and a Denton Industrial Park roadway project expected to finish once paving conditions allow.
Cecil County’s presenter highlighted the new I-95 interchange at Belvidere Road, redevelopment at the former Bainbridge Naval Training Center and a planned Southfields mixed-use development backed with $54 million in MedCo revenue bonds, noting major employers such as Northrop Grumman and W. L. Gore Associates are expanding locally.
Dorchester County’s speaker described the Eastern Shore Innovation Center and a planned fire-science research facility in Cambridge expected to create “between 300 and 500” jobs over the next decade, with advanced testing labs and tens of millions in capital investment.
Kent County’s update emphasized the Millington wastewater-treatment facility expansion as a catalyst for corridor development and described local enterprise zones and tax-credit tools used to attract business.
Somerset County cited a recent tenant replacement in an enterprise zone — a five-year lease to Credo Aerospace for a 55,000-square-foot facility after Peraton announced a closure — illustrating how incentives helped retain high-paying engineering jobs.
Worcester County stressed the region’s tourism-driven economy but highlighted diversification through manufacturing and defense contracts; the county noted Dolly’s Candy is expanding and expects to create 10–15 jobs with a roughly $3,000,000 investment.
Delegates at the meeting thanked directors for real-world examples and urged continued coordination with state officials as the General Assembly finalizes the budget next week.
What’s next: Directors requested that delegation members continue to support enterprise zones, the RMEDF and other incentives in upcoming budget and policy decisions.
Heather Tonelli, director of economic and tourism development for Queen Anne’s County, described redevelopment east of the Bay Bridge, mixed-use projects and enterprise-zone investment, saying that in 2025 Queen Anne’s County reported $10,300,000 in capital investment and 257 jobs supported in an enterprise zone. “For every dollar invested in economic development, there is a $9.18 return,” Tonelli said.
Caroline County’s representative (Carrot Bobb) described two projects using Rural Maryland Economic Development Fund (RMEDF) awards — a $3.2 million renovation of Chop Tank Marina with $1.3 million from RMEDF and a county match that leveraged other waterway improvement funds, and a Denton Industrial Park roadway project expected to finish once paving conditions allow.
Cecil County’s presenter highlighted the new I-95 interchange at Belvidere Road, redevelopment at the former Bainbridge Naval Training Center and a planned Southfields mixed-use development backed with $54 million in MedCo revenue bonds, noting major employers such as Northrop Grumman and W. L. Gore Associates are expanding locally.
Dorchester County’s speaker described the Eastern Shore Innovation Center and a planned fire-science research facility in Cambridge expected to create “between 300 and 500” jobs over the next decade, with advanced testing labs and tens of millions in capital investment.
Kent County’s update emphasized the Millington wastewater-treatment facility expansion as a catalyst for corridor development and described local enterprise zones and tax-credit tools used to attract business.
Somerset County cited a recent tenant replacement in an enterprise zone — a five-year lease to Credo Aerospace for a 55,000-square-foot facility after Peraton announced a closure — illustrating how incentives helped retain high-paying engineering jobs.
Worcester County stressed the region’s tourism-driven economy but highlighted diversification through manufacturing and defense contracts; the county noted Dolly’s Candy is expanding and expects to create 10–15 jobs with a roughly $3,000,000 investment.
Delegates at the meeting thanked directors for real-world examples and urged continued coordination with state officials as the General Assembly finalizes the budget next week.
What’s next: Directors requested that delegation members continue to support enterprise zones, the RMEDF and other incentives in upcoming budget and policy decisions.
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