By Cassandra M. Vanhooser, Director, Talbot County Economic Development and Tourism
When people hear the phrase “economic development,” they sometimes imagine sprawling shopping centers, traffic jams, or farmland paved over for housing. But true economic development does not mean “overdevelopment.”
Instead, it’s a thoughtful, strategic approach to building healthy, prosperous communities while preserving the character and quality of life that residents cherish here on Maryland’s Eastern Shore.
In Talbot County, economic development is about people. It’s the workers, entrepreneurs, and families who want to thrive. It’s about creating opportunities so that young people who grow up here can find meaningful jobs close to home, and seasoned workers can adapt as industries evolve. It’s about ensuring that local businesses, from a family-owned seafood company on Tilghman Island to a marina in Oxford to the start-up on Talbot Street in St. Michaels to the manufacturing businesses in Easton—have the support they need to grow, hire, and invest back into the community.
Our work takes many forms. It means laying the groundwork for the infrastructure that will support support the new University of Maryland Shore Regional Medical Center. It means investing in workforce training so our neighbors have the skills to secure tomorrow’s jobs. And it means telling the story of a robust hospitality industry that is a cornerstone of our economy. Visitors bring in new dollars and strengthen the community’s tax base in ways that benefit everyone.
Perhaps most importantly, economic development is a long game. The projects and people Talbot County invests in today will yield the successful businesses and business leaders of tomorrow. The small business owners who participate in the Talbot Works Business Academy today may be the employers who sustain dozens of families in the future. The infrastructure built for the medical campus will serve generations to come.
That’s why thoughtful planning matters. Strategic economic development requires balance. It means protecting our waterways and farmland, maintaining vibrant town centers, and honoring history and heritage while still ensuring there are pathways for prosperity. It’s about cultivating the right kind of growth in the right places at the right time.
Communities that neglect economic development often find themselves falling behind, losing talent, struggling with underfunded schools and services, and watching as opportunities pass them by. On the other hand, jurisdictions that plan carefully and invest wisely reap the benefits of stable tax bases, thriving small businesses, a strong tourism sector, and a workforce prepared for the future.
Economic development is, quite simply, about creating choices for workers, for families, and for future generations. It’s the art of building strong communities from the ground up, not by overbuilding, but by ensuring that prosperity is shared, sustainable, and rooted in local values.
If we do it right, economic development is not something to fear. It’s something to embrace. It’s our commitment to making sure Talbot County remains not only a beautiful place to live and visit, but also a place where people can work, grow, and succeed for generations to come.