To:                  All Prospective Associate Members

From:              Daniel K. Thompson

                        Executive Director

Re:                  Somerset County Economic Development Commission

                        Fiscal Year 2025 Associate Membership Program

On behalf of the Board of Directors of the Somerset County Economic Development Commission (EDC), I would like to extend to you a gracious invitation to renew your membership or become an ASSOCIATE MEMBER of the Somerset County EDC.

The Somerset County EDC has been working on numerous economic development projects occurring throughout the county. In a press release published by the Maryland Department of Commerce (which I have attached), over the last three years, four counties on Maryland’s Eastern Shore demonstrated the most growth – Somerset, Cecil, Wicomico, and Caroline – as well as Baltimore City. Together, these jurisdictions grew more than 30 percent in 2022, with Somerset County representing half of that with 15.7 percent.  Below I have provided a link to the Maryland Department of Commerce’s Fiscal Year 2023 Annual Report, which provides more details on the growth / statistics across the entire State of Maryland. 

https://issuu.com/stateofmaryland/docs/md_dept_commerce_annual_2023_reduced?fr=sZDI3MDYyODY1Njc

The partnerships that we have developed are very beneficial and will generate more revenue and assist in future economic growth. Below are some of the partnerships and projects currently underway.

• City of Crisfield
  • Visioning Plan- BEACON
    • Uptown Area / Housing

  • Sherwin Williams – Rubberset- (Commerce)

  • Tidal Health / McCready

  • City Dock

  • Nuisance Flooding (FEMA)

  • Working with City Business Development Director

  • Ribbon Cuttings
    • Hometowne Subs / Mango Mama / Stacey’s Dirty Dawgs 2

• Town of Princess Anne
  • Squeaky’s Tavern

  • EZ Application Expansion- Approved (now to include Somerset County Industrial Park)

  • Somerset Crossing Project- Installation of full stop light complete and inquiries

  • Arby’s / Goose Creek Development

  • Princess Anne Industrial Park
    • Element MD  / Process Integration / Pro-Coat / Halal Food Council / Ihsan Farms / Peraton

  • Ribbon Cuttings
    • Guerrero Production Boxing Club / Sisters with a Twist- Pending  / Bon Bon Grill- Pending

• Somerset County
  • County Industrial Park- (State, County, TCC, EDA)

  • Passenger Ferry

  • Airport Hangars

  • Broadband

  • Dollar General Market- (by Econo Lodge)

  • Chantel’s Bakery Project- Westover

  • Ribbon Cuttings
    • Amish Farmer’s Market- Light House / Somerset Animal Hospital

• Visits
  • DHCD- Secretary Jake Day- Day Trip

  • Commerce- Secretary Kevin Anderson- Roundtable

  • US Congressman- Andy Harris- Princess Anne Industrial Park

  • Tour of County with Worcester County Economic Development & Tourism

  • UMES
    • MD Dept Ag / Tourism Conference

This Associate Membership Program is a vital link in our partnering with the various agencies throughout the county in a common endeavor to raise the standard of living and quality of life for all of our citizens of Somerset County. By developing a concerted effort to work in all three areas of economic development, the Somerset County Economic Development Commission will be able to help improve the employment, personal income, tax base, and quality of life for all the people in Somerset County. The support received from the Somerset County Commissioners, The Town of Princess Anne, The City of Crisfield, and our Associate Members assist us in achieving those objectives.

Your contribution and support will enable us to do more. Attached please find our ASSOCIATE MEMBERSHIP brochure, which goes into more detail about the benefits and goals of your membership.  The Somerset County EDC certainly appreciates your support.  To become an Associate Member, please mail your application and payment to the address in the signature below, or visit us online at http://www.somersetcountyedc.org/membership-form.php to process via credit card.   Should you have any questions, or concerns about issues affecting the growth of economic development in Somerset County, please give us a call.  We would appreciate your input.

Daniel K. Thompson
Executive Director

If you would like to become an Associate Member please click here.