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.

Released December 2025, nationwide mini documentary of the Mid-Shore Regional Council, EDDs in Action. EDDs in Action: Mid-Shore Regional Council is a video produced by National Association of Development Organizations (NADO) and National Association of Regional Councils (NARC), with funding from the U.S. Economic Development Administration.

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

  • Debra Sewell, Federalsburg Councilmember

  • Lajan Cephas, City of Cambridge Mayor

  • Rosalee Potter, Trappe Councilmember

  • 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.

  • Mission:
  • The Maryland Broadband Cooperative provides reliable and competitive digital connectivity solutions supporting our stakeholders in unserved and underserved areas.

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

  • President and C.E.O.: Drew Van Dopp
  • 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 dedicated to creating a flexible and professional work environment for startups and small businesses to ignite, fuel, and thrive. The incubator is located in the Dorchester Regional Technology Park.




Support the expansion of regional trades and technical programs

  • Assist/support Chesapeake College with the development of the trades programs and new Center for Innovation and Entrepreneurship as appropriate.




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Health Cluster Economic Impact Work Group

  • The Mid-Shore Regional Council (MSRC) is monitoring the State of Maryland’s Mid Shore Health Improvement Coalition (created by Senate Bill 498 during the 2023 General Assembly Session) particularly the final stated purpose to “Enhance rural economic development in the mid-shore region”. If necessary the MSRC may establish 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)

  • The Eastern Shore Regional GIS Cooperative (ESRGC) is an outreach entity of Salisbury University and is a joint effort between the Mid-Shore Regional Council, the Tri-County Council of the Lower Eastern Shore of Maryland, the Upper Shore Regional Council and Salisbury University.

  • ESRGC is a group of GIS and Programming professionals seeking to provide access to geographic information systems (GIS) technology, data, technical support, and training to the local governments of Maryland’s Eastern Shore. The ESRGC is dedicated to creating partnerships with municipal, county, regional, state and federal governments as well as private and non-profit organizations in an effort to develop data-driven decision-making tools. MSRC funding allows the ESRGC to provide professional services to the region, at a reduced cost.

  • Executive Director: Lauren McDermott
  • Phone number: (410) 677-5390
  • E-mail address: ldmcdermott@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 uniform policy on inclement weather procedures, fares, and transfers
    • Bilingual toll-free information line for customer needs
    • Provide outreach to present and promote the availability of public and other transit services
    • Oversee MUST website and all printed materials
    • Participate on the Maryland Coordinating Committee for Human Services Transportation
    • Periodically facilitate a customer survey of the transportation system
    • Assist 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
    $2.3 million Mistletoe Hall Commerce-Business Park in Easton
    $2.4 million Cambridge Waterfront to support waterfront infrastructure improvements
    $500,000 F3 Tech Biomanufacturing Facility

  • Secured: $14,107,750



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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 on high-growth, innovative, and scalable startups and entrepreneurs

  • Parent organization for multiple programs and initiatives:
    • Revolving Loan Fund Portfolio
    • Technical Assistance
    • F3 Tech Accelerator Program
    • Agbiotech Manufacturing Facility
    • CyberAg
    • Chesapeake Agriculture Innovation Center
    • Regional Produce Processing & Aggregation Facility
  • Executive Director: Mike Thielke
  • Phone number (410) 770-9330
  • E-mail address: mike@esec.md
  • Website: www.esec.md



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 promotes novel approaches to local agriculture, seafood and value-added businesses by providing focused assistance to start, grow, and diversify niche products. The goals of the initiative are to improve the quality of life of by creating profitable industries and make the region more food resilient with nutritious, locally grown produce and products.

  • Shore Gourmet partners with the Chesapeake Culinary Center.

  • Incorporated as a 501c6 non-profit in 2006

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



Documents   

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