The Talbot County Department of Economic Development and Tourism is here to connect you with business resources that are tailored to your specific industry or enterprise. Whether you’re a start-up, a specialized industry, or a mature company looking to relocate, we’re here to put your business on Talbot County’s map.

See More: Talbot County by the Numbers: Economic Dashboards, August 2024

Read: Talbot County’s Interactive Land Use Maps Help Business Leaders Make Informed Decisions, August 30, 2023

 

For Start-Ups

You know your idea is influential and your business plan is brilliant, but you need help taking your concept to execution. Talbot County Department of Economic Development and Tourism is well-versed in working with entrepreneurs to turn your dreams into dollars. Talbot County has the resources to help you launch your start-up.13 Tips for Launching a Business in Talbot County

Start-Up Resources: 

13 Tips for Starting a Business in Talbot County
13 Consejos para Iniciar una Empresa en el Condado de Talbot

Veteran & Military Resources:

Business Resources for Veterans
Military-To-Civilian Resume Examples and Templates

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Talbot Works Business Academy

Talbot Works Business AcademyThe Talbot Works Business Academy launched in 2024, and provides Talbot County small business owners with this free,  8-week entrepreneurship course sponsored by the Talbot County Department of Economic Development and Tourism.

The program is made possible by a grant from the Maryland Rural Economic Development Fund through the Mid-Shore Regional Council and developed by consulting firm WHC,  a Baltimore-based consulting company that offers business capital, coaching, and operational solutions to emerging companies.

Each 15-member cohort is required to meet the program’s guidelines for inclusion in the class, including having the ability to scale their operations, hire people, and have a positive impact on their community. Participants are required to attend and participate in each class; submit weekly homework assignments; meet with senior advisors; meet two times each with the program’s law, accounting, and human resources mentors; present cash flow projections; and give a final 15-minute PowerPoint presentation detailing their plans for business growth.

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Read: Third Cohort Begins February 4, 2025, with applications due by December 31, 2025

Read: Talbot County Announces Inaugural Business Academy Graduates, April, 2024

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Session topics include building sustainable organizational infrastructure; leading people and planning for growth; marketing and selling B2G, B2B, and B2C; accounting, human resources, legal, taxes, and insurance; and preparing for capital and essential financial documentation.

Talbot County business owners who are selected for the second cohort will be invited to a 15-minute interview via Zoom, with registration to be announced to subscribers of the Talbot Works newsletter.

Chesapeake Multicultural Resource Center

The Chesapeake Multicultural Resource Center (ChesMRC) empowers people from different cultures to become successful and engaged members of the community. While the organization serves anyone who requests assistance, its primary focus is to help Limited English Proficient (LEP) individuals to successfully integrate into the community.
Contact: Ingrid Diaz Lopez | 877-772-9832

Read: Chesapeake Multicultural Resource Center: Empowering Those From Different Cultures

 

Business Resources: Eastern Shore Entrepreneurship Center

The Eastern Shore Entrepreneurship Center  (ESEC) is a nonprofit organization created to help advance an entrepreneurship ecosystem on Maryland’s Eastern Shore. ESEC is leading the dynamic Farm-Fish-Food (F3) Tech Program, utilizing proof-of-concept and commercialization strategies to address challenges of the cluster industry that includes agriculture, aquaculture, and environment.
Contact: Mark Green | 410-829-1408

 

Maryland Capital Enterprises

Maryland Capital Enterprises empowers businesses to grow, to create jobs, and generate wealth on Maryland’s Eastern Shore and across the state of Maryland. MCE offers businesses access to the resources they need to start or grow their business.
Contact: Bernard Carter | 410-546-1900, ext. 103

 

Business Resources: Maryland Department of Commerce

Maryland Department of Commerce is the state’s primary economic development agency, and charged with stimulating private investment and creating jobs by attracting new businesses, encouraging the expansion and retention of existing companies, and providing workforce training and financial assistance to Maryland companies.

See Also:

Maryland. Be Moved – Business information from Maryland Department of Commerce

Live. Work. Maryland – Find out what it’s like to live and work in Maryland

Maryland Business Express, with resources to plan, start, manage, and grow your business.
Contact: Nancy LaJoice | 443-930-0753 

 

Maryland Department of Housing and Community Development

The Maryland Department of Housing and Community Development provides information about the programs and financing solutions that the agency has to help families, businesses and communities throughout Maryland.​

State Small Business Credit Initiative (SSBCI) Program
MDHCD has been designated as the lead agency to administer Maryland’s State Small Business Credit Initiative (SSBCI) funds in partnership with the Maryland Department of Commerce and the Maryland Technology Development Corporation​. Funds will be used to support businesses with limited opportunities for growth. Maryland’s statewide SSBCI initiatives will target communities and areas with a high concentration of small, micro, and Socially and Economically Disadvantaged Individual (SEDI) businesses. ​NOTE: these funds are issued as loans or equity investments only, SSBCI does not offer grants.​​​
Contact: dhcd.ssbci@maryland.gov or 866-226-3559.

Neighborhood BusinessWorks Program
The Department’s Neighborhood BusinessWorks loan program provides flexible financing to new or expanding small businesses and nonprofit organizations in Sustainable Communities and Priority Funding Areas throughout the state.
Contact: Business Lending Team, dhcd.businesslending@maryland.gov​, 301-429-7408
Colleen Cord-Malone, Neighborhood BusinessWorks Program | 443-515-0084

 

Maryland Health Connection

Maryland Health Connection is the state’s health insurance marketplace, where Marylanders can shop, compare, and enroll in quality health coverage.
Contact: Amethyst McNabb | 443-515-0084

 

Business Resources: Maryland Small Business Development Center

The Maryland Small Business Development Center (SBDC) is a partnership between the U.S. Small Business Administration, the State of Maryland, and the University of Maryland College Park. SBDC strengthens small businesses throughout the State by linking startups and small businesses to high-quality training, confidential business consulting, and market and industry research. With an office at Chesapeake College, the SBDC can help you access result-driven business knowledge.
Contact: Rich Loeffler | 410-228-8191

 

Talbot County Chamber of Commerce

The Talbot County Chamber of Commerce‘s purpose is to promote, protect and preserve the free enterprise system of business and to advance the commercial, industrial, civic and general interests of the Eastern Shore of Maryland, Talbot County and its trading area. PA financial solutions provider in Easton, Maryland offering Tax Planning, Audit, Bookkeeping and Outsourced Accounting/CFO services.
Contact: Amy Kreiner | 410-822-4653

 

TEDCO

TEDCO provides funding, resources and connections that early-stage technology and life sciences companies need to thrive in Maryland.
Contact: William Bernard| 443-786-4471

 

Online Business Resources | SCORE

Sometimes you just want to pick someone’s brain about the trials and triumphs of starting a business. SCORE mentors know what it’s like to be a small business owner. SCORE’s online community of experienced entrepreneurs, corporate managers, and executives is eager to help you start and grow your business.  As a volunteer-based network, SCORE offers confidential business counseling services free of charge. Get the guidance you need. Request a SCORE Mentor Now or Learn more about SCORE.


Agriculture

Agriculture resources in Talbot CountyWith more than 100,000 acres of farmland and 600 miles of shoreline, Talbot County is an agricultural oasis. If you’re interested in exploring the agriculture industry, Talbot County has resources in place to set you up for success.

 

Maryland Agriculture & Resource-Based Industry Development Corporation (MARBIDCO)

The primary mission of MARBIDCO is to assist Maryland’s farm, forestry, and seafood businesses to achieve profitability and sustainability by providing targeted services that help retain existing Ag/RBI production and commerce, promote rural entrepreneurship, and nurture emerging industries.

Grow your ag business. Learn more about MARBIDCO.

 

University of Maryland Extension

As a local service to Talbot County residents, the University of Maryland Extension offers educational programs that relate to agriculture, the Chesapeake Bay, the environment, and all things nature. This educational resource brings research-based knowledge to business owners in this industry.

Get more information about these programs.

 

F3 Tech Accelerator Program

Innovation is critical to any industry, and F3 Tech (Farm-Fish-Food) knows it. This statewide private/private initiative simulates economic growth through innovation and technology built upon the agriculture and seafood industry. With a focus on agritech, aquatech, and envirotech, F3 offers innovative solutions to a growing population, improved farming methods and addresses the impact of this industry on the environment.

Get your guide to commercializing your innovations. Learn more about F3 Tech Accelerator Program.


Incentives

Business Incentives in Talbot CountyTalbot County and the State of Maryland offer incentives for businesses interested in expansion or relocation. As you learn more about these programs, you will see that significant benefits are attainable to just about any new or existing business venture. Contact us today to explore these opportunities. It’s our job to guide you through the incentives process, and we’re here to help.

 

Local Incentives

 

Town of Easton and Tilghman Island Enterprise Zones

A portion of the Town of Easton and Tilghman Island are designated as an enterprise zones. The program brings business owners real property and state income tax credits to businesses creating jobs and making capital investments. Easton’s enterprise zone covers 90 acres with several large vacant commercial building assets within the designated area. Tilghman’s enterprise zone is 85 acres and contains the Village Center and two waterfront properties.

Information about the Enterprise Zone and a map of the locations are located here. Contact our office today to learn more about the benefits of doing business in an enterprise zone.

To learn more about our Enterprise Zones, download our information flyer.

 

Arts and Entertainment District

Managed by the Maryland State Arts Council, the Arts & Entertainment (A&E) District designation makes available tax benefits to encourage artists, arts organizations, and businesses to locate within a specified geographic area. Incentives include property tax abatement, artist income tax deductions, and admission/amusement tax exemption. Talbot County’s Arts & Entertainment District is located in Easton.

To learn more about the A&E District, download our informational flyer.

 

Real Property Investment Tax Credit

This applies to commercial or industrial businesses. Talbot County defines a commercial or industrial business as one that is involved in light manufacturing, distribution, technology-based businesses, or research and development.

Think your business can capitalize on Talbot County’s local incentives? Give us a call to discuss what you could qualify for. We’re eager to help.

 

Maryland Commercial Property Accessed Clean Energy Financing (C-PACE)

C-PACE financing provides 100% up-front capital to commercial property owners to implement building upgrades that save energy and lower operating costs. Improvements are repaid through a long-term surcharge on the property tax bill that transfers with the sale of the property.

C-PACE benefits business owners by providing longer re-payment terms than traditional financing and can be structured to make projects “cash-flow positive” from day one.

Eligible projects that can be financed through C-PACE include solar, wind, geothermal, and high-efficiency lighting

To learn more about C-PACE, visit their resources page, which includes the program guidelines.

 

Business Resources: State Incentives

Maryland. Be Moved. The Maryland Department of Commerce is the state’s primary economic development agency, stimulating business growth and expansion of business to Maryland’s companies.

Explore the Maryland Department of Commerce programs and incentives your business could qualify for:

  • Maryland’s State Small Business Credit Initiative (SSBCI) supports businesses with limited opportunities for growth.
  • Business Tax Credits, See a comprehensive list of all the tax credits available for businesses in Maryland.
  • Job Creation Tax Credit. ​​​​​​​​​​Businesses that create a minimum number of new full-time positions may be entitled to state income tax credits of up to $1,000 per job or $1,500 per job in a revitalization area.
  • Advantage Maryland. A flexible and broad-based program, Advantage Maryland funds grants, loans and investments to support economic development initiatives.
  • Maryland Economic Adjustment Fund (MEAF). MEAF assists small businesses with upgrading manufacturing operations, developing commercial applications for technology, or entering into and competing in new economic markets. Eligible businesses include manufacturers, wholesalers, service companies, and skilled trades.
  • More Jobs for Marylanders Act. This program incentivizes and encourages manufacturers to create jobs in the areas of Maryland that are in the highest demand for jobs.

Visit Maryland Department of Commerce to learn more about business incentives that make bringing a business to life achievable.

 

Mid Shore Hires

Define who you are to better attract and keep the staff you require. After all, your employees are your company. Learn more here.