The Mid-Shore Regional Council was created in 2001 via enabling legislation proposed by the Eastern Shore Delegation in response to recommendations made in the Governor's Eastern Shore Economic Development Task Force Report.

The Mid-Shore Regional Council operates as a cooperative regional planning and development agency within Caroline, Dorchester and Talbot Counties to foster physical, economic and social development. The Council initiates and coordinates plans and projects for the development of human and economic resources.

The Mid-Shore Regional Council is a federally designated Economic Development District (an economically distressed area) that enables federal funding to the region through the U.S. Department of Commerce's Economic Development Administration.

View our brochure to learn more.

Members   




  • Voting Members




  • Non-Voting Members

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Voting Members

  • Frank Bartz, Caroline County Commissioner

  • Larry Porter, Caroline County Commissioner

  • Ricky Travers, Dorchester County Council

  • Lenny Pfeffer, Dorchester County Council

  • Chuck Callahan, Talbot County Council

  • Lynn Mielke, Talbot County Council

  • Stephen Rideout, City of Cambridge Mayor

  • Johnny Mautz, Senator – Maryland District 37

  • Chris Adams, Delegate – Maryland District 37B

  • Tom Hutchinson, Delegate – Maryland District 37B

  • Maria D'Arcy, Caroline County minority representative

  • Jerome Stanley, Dorchester County minority representative

  • Joyce Harrod, Talbot County minority representative

  • Dan Franklin, Caroline County private sector/private citizen

  • Allen Nelson, Dorchester County private sector/private citizen

  • James Redman, Talbot County private sector/private citizen

  • Walter Chase, private citizen

  • Aubrey Vincent, Maryland Seafood Industries

  • Dan Rider, Association of Forestry Industries, Inc.

  • Kurt Fuchs, Maryland Farm Bureau

  • Carolyn Spicher, Caroline County private business representative

  • Bill Christopher, Dorchester County private business representative

  • Jeannie Haddaway-Riccio, Talbot County private business representative







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Non-Voting Members

  • Travis Breeding, Caroline County Commissioner

  • William Nichols, Dorchester County Council

  • Rob Kramer, Jr., Dorchester County Council

  • Mike Detmer, Dorchester County Council

  • Pete Lesher, Talbot County Council

  • Keasha Haythe, Talbot County Council

  • Dave Stepp, Talbot County Council

  • Katheleen Freeman, Caroline County Administrator

  • Jerry Jones, Dorchester County Manager

  • Clay Stamp, Talbot County Manager

  • Stephen Hershey, Jr., Senator – Maryland District 36

  • Steven Arentz, Delegate - Maryland District 36

  • Jeff Ghrist, Delegate – Maryland District 36

  • Jay Jacobs, Delegate - Maryland District 36

  • Sheree Sample-Hughes, Delegate – Maryland District 37A

  • Adelaide Eckardt, private citizen







Projects   

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Continue to partner with the Maryland Broadband Cooperative, Inc.

Download Broadband Deployment Plan for Upper Eastern Shore 2012
  • Mission:
  • To drive economic development through universal, open access to broadband services via a fiber optic network that serves rural Maryland by building an advanced, world-class broadband network across the rural communities of Eastern, Southern and Western Maryland supported by its members who provide "Last Mile" services.

  • The regional councils are the founding members and each have a seat on the Board of Directors.

  • President and C.E.O.: Patrick Mitchell
  • Phone Number: (410) 341-6322
  • Website: www.mdbc.us



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Support the establishment of a Mid-Shore Business and Technology Incubator

  • The Mid-Shore Business and Technology Incubator was a recommendation from the Economic Adjustment Strategy completed by the Chesapeake Bay Region Technical Center of Excellence with primary sponsorship from Maryland Department of Commerce and the U.S. Economic Development Administration.

  • Dorchester County developed the Eastern Shore Innovation Center. The incubator is located in the Dorchester Regional Technology Park.




Regional Technology School

  • Working with Chesapeake College, Upper Shore Regional Council, and public school systems (Caroline, Dorchester, Kent, Queen Anne’s and Talbot Counties) over the past several years, the Mid-Shore Regional Council has discussed the possibility of a study to determine the feasibility of a regional technology school or utilizing Chesapeake College in offering regional technology programs. The Council continues to communicate with the various entities and offer assistance as needed.




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Health Cluster Economic Impact Work Group

  • The Mid-Shore Regional Council is establishing a Health Cluster Economic Impact Work Group to increase communication among the health industry and public and private sectors to aid the industry's stability and growth within the region.



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Support the Eastern Shore Regional GIS Cooperative (ESRGC)

  • Established in 2004, the ESRGC is an organization that seeks to provide access to geographic information system (GIS) technology, data, technical support, and training to the local governments of Maryland's Eastern Shore.

  • Housed at Salisbury University, the ESRGC is a joint effort between the Mid-Shore Regional Council, Tri-County Council for the Lower Eastern Shore of Maryland, and Salisbury University.

  • Projects in the Mid-Shore region receive a 50% reduction in charges because of the financial support of the Mid-Shore Regional Council.

  • Support the Master of Science in GIS Management at Salisbury University which trains the next generation of geographic information administrators.

  • Director: Mike Scott
  • Phone number: (410) 677-5390
  • E-mail address: msscott@salisbury.edu
  • Website: www.esrgc.org



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GeoDASH Initiative

  • Goal:

  • Launched in 2008, the GeoDASH Initiative provides technical assistance to community leaders through the development of state-of-the-art data visualization tools that merge traditional business intelligence, geographic information, and dynamic modeling to support regional economic development decision making. The initiative is managed by the Eastern Shore Regional GIS Cooperative (ESRGC) of the Richard A. Henson School of Science and Technology at Salisbury University, in partnership with both MSRC and the Tri-County Council for the Lower Eastern Shore of Maryland.

  • Partners:


    Mid-Shore Regional Council

    Tri-County Council for the Lower Eastern Shore

    ESRGC (Eastern Shore Regional GIS Cooperative)

    BEACON (Business, Economic, and Community Outreach Network at Salisbury University)



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Mid-Shore Comprehensive Economic Development Strategy (CEDS)

Visit CEDS online
  • Economic Development Districts put together Comprehensive Economic Development Strategies (CEDS) for their federally recognized and approved economically distressed regions. Federal statute requires that a CEDS be in place before a region can receive U.S. Department of Commerce Economic Development Administration (EDA) public works and infrastructure funds.

  • The CEDS process is designed to bring together the public and private sectors in the creation of an economic development roadmap to diversify and strengthen the regional economy.



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Governance of Maryland Upper Shore Transit (MUST)

  • MUST is a regional five county coordinated transit system that services the citizens of Caroline, Dorchester, Kent, Queen Anne's, and Talbot Counties.
  • Transportation providers:
    • Delmarva Community Transit
    • Queen Anne's County - County Ride
  • Key elements in the MUST coordinating model and strategy:
    • Periodic meetings of the transportation providers, MTA, MSRC, and the outreach and media providers
    • MUST meetings are coordinated with the quarterly Community Transportation Advisory Committee (CTAC) meetings
    • Bilingual (English and Spanish) brochures and schedules
    • Coordinated single policy on inclement weather procedures, fares, and transfers
    • Bilingual toll free information line for customer needs
    • Provides outreach to present and promote the availability of public and other transit services
    • Overseas MUST website and all printed materials
    • Participates on the Maryland Coordinating Committee for Human Services Transportation
    • Periodically facilitates a customer survey of the transportation system
    • Assists with the Upper Eastern Shore Coordinated Public Transit-Human Services Transportation Plan
    • Regional review authority for JARC/New Freedom, 5310, and Senior Rides programs for the six counties of the Upper Eastern Shore
  • MUST Administrator: Mid-Shore Regional Council
  • Phone number: (410) 770-4798
  • E-mail address: terry@midshore.org
  • Website: www.mustbus.org
  • MUST toll free number: 866-330-6878



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Assist with Federal Funding

  • As a federally recognized U.S. Department of Commerce Economic Development Administration (EDA) Economic Development District (EDD) the Mid-Shore Regional Council advocates and assists with EDA grant processes. Here are examples of EDA infrastructure funding obtained over the last several years.
  • EDA funding Projects
    $2.1 million Caroline Technology Park located in Ridgely
    $3.2 million Maryland Broadband Cooperative, Inc.
    (in association with the Tri-County Council for the Lower Eastern Shore to assist in fiber optic builds on the Eastern Shore)
    $3.0 million Dorchester County Business and Technology Park
    $607,750 Project Green Box: An Investment in Advancing and Enhancing the Green Economy in Dorchester County
    $1.65 million Regional Medical Facility
    (University of Maryland Medical System/ Shore Health System)

  • Secured: $10,557,750



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Support the Eastern Shore Entrepreneurship Center (ESEC)

  • Eastern Shore Entrepreneurship Center was created by the Mid-Shore Regional Council following the recommendation from the Economic Adjustment Strategy.

  • Incorporated as a 501c3 non-profit in 2004

  • Focus is on high-growth, innovative, and scalable startups and entrepreneurs

  • Programs:
    • Revolving Loan Fund Portfolio
    • Technical Assistance
    • hotDesks.org co-working network
    • F3 Tech Accelerator
    • Revolution Labs
  • Executive Director: Mike Thielke
  • Phone number (410) 770-9330
  • E-mail address: mike@esec.md
  • Website: ventureahead.org



Continue to partner with Shore Gourmet

  • Shore Gourmet is a business development initiative of the Mid-Shore Regional Council to promote and sustain the food and agricultural businesses located on Maryland's Eastern Shore and Delaware.

  • Shore Gourmet offered distribution and consulting services to the local agricultural community to market their value-added and gourmet food products.

  • Incorporated as a 501c6 non-profit in 2006

  • Contact the Mid-Shore Regional Council
  • Phone number: (410) 770-4798



Documents   

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