Talbot County business and nonprofit leaders can help inform local policies and build business support tools by sharing their views online as part of the Eastern Shore Business Sentiment Survey. This survey gives a localized view of the business community and helps policymakers understand their concerns and expectations for the coming year.
Every six months, Talbot County Department of Economic Development and Tourism partners with Salisbury University’s Business Economic and Community Outreach Network (BEACON) and other economic development professionals across the Eastern Shore for the semi-annual survey. Responses can be made online before the February 2, 2025, deadline.
The survey gauges the opinions of local businesses on current and future economic conditions, with the results providing focus areas that are most important to area businesses and nonprofits.
“The information from this survey helps drive decision-making and shape the economic development programs and focus areas in each of our counties,” says Cassandra Vanhooser, director of Talbot County Department of Economic Development and Tourism. “It’s important for our business and nonprofit leaders to keep our initiatives aligned with their business dynamics.”
Survey partners include the economic development offices in each of the nine counties on the Eastern Shore, as well as the Mid-Shore Regional Council, Upper Shore Regional Council, and Tri-County Council for the Lower Eastern Shore of Maryland.
“Most of the information available to us, particularly as a smaller region, is from national studies or, at best, national and regional studies,” said John Hickman, director of BEACON. “This ongoing project gives our economic development leaders, who inform government leaders, an idea of what’s really happening here on Delmarva.
“As economic development directors are working toward what they’re going to do to help the businesses in their communities—whether that’s incentives, relief funds, workforce training, or other options—they need to know what the most important issues are for local businesses.”
Survey results are reported by BEACON and available to the public on the Delmarva Index. A copy of the latest report summary is available at recovery.delmarvaindex.org/pages/business-survey. Local businesses are encouraged to complete the current survey online at bit.ly/sentimentjan25.
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.
Business owners and managers are encouraged to receive the department’s Talbot Works newsletter and breaking business news by subscribing at www.talbotworks.org. The department can also be reached at 410-770-8058 or by visiting their office at 215 Bay Street, Easton, Md.
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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