III. Vision, Goals, and Key Indicators

A. Vision

The Lower Eastern Shore region, rich in its rural heritage and natural beauty, has a vibrant and diversified economy offering productive employment opportunities and a superb quality of life to all people.

B. Goals

GOAL #1: SUSTAIN AND DIVERSIFY THE ECONOMY

We will support resident businesses and industries by helping them in their competitiveness, promote entrepreneurship, and also attract new industry sectors to the region that are compatible with our socio-economic environment.

GOAL #2: IMPROVE WORKFORCE TRAINING AND SKILLS

We will ensure that workers of all ages have access to the education and training needed to succeed in both our existing industries and in the new industries we seek to attract.

GOAL #3: ENSURE APPROPRIATE INFRASTRUCTIVE

We will ensure the infrastructure needed for economic diversification and growth, while adhering to guidelines that help limit growth's negative impact on our environment, quantity of open spaces, and quality of life.

GOAL #4: MAINTAIN AND IMPROVE REGION'S QUALITY OF LIFE

We will manage economic development to ensure the protection of our natural environment and the prevention of sprawl and congestion.  We will support and recruit diverse cultural and recreational opportunities to ensure a high quality of life for citizens and visitors in the region.

C. Key Indicators

GOAL #1: SUSTAIN AND DIVERSIFY THE ECONOMY

We will support resident businesses and industries by helping them in their competitiveness, promote entrepreneurship, and also attract new industry sectors to the region that are compatible with our socio-economic environment.

Key Indicators :

  • % Employment by sector:
  • Number of jobs by sector
  • Aggregate payroll by sector
  • Distribution of businesses and employees by size of business
  • Unemployment rate
  • Sales and use tax receipts

GOAL #2: IMPROVE WORKFORCE TRAINING AND SKILLS

We will ensure that workers of all ages have access to the education and training needed to succeed in both our existing industries and in the new industries we seek to attract.

Key Indicators :

  • High school students attending Wor-Wic Community College
  • # Students enrolled in career and technical education programs
  • High school graduation rates
  • High school dropout rates
  • Test scores (SAT, MSA)
  • High school Senior's Post-Graduation Decision
  • Educational attainment
  • % of LES residents pursuing a Maryland undergraduate education at a LES college
  • Location of Wor-Wic graduates who are employed
  • Average weekly wage by sector
  • Employers' perceptions of workforce quality and training needs

GOAL #3: ENSURE APPROPRIATE INFRASTRUCTIVE

We will ensure the infrastructure needed for economic diversification and growth, while adhering to guidelines that help limit growth's negative impact on our environment, quantity of open spaces, and quality of life.

Key Indicators :

  • Business/industrial parks: acreage, % utilized
  • Transportation
    • Shore Transit: Ridership
    • Air Transportation: Enplane/Deplane at Salisbury Wicomico Regional Airport
    • Waterborne Transportation: Tonnage/Barge trips
    • Road: Status of highway projects/Commuting patterns
  • School facilities capacity
  • Health care facilities capacity
  • Broadband service coverage

GOAL #4: MAINTAIN AND IMPROVE REGION'S QUALITY OF LIFE

We will manage economic development to ensure the protection of our natural environment and the prevention of sprawl and congestion.  We will support and recruit diverse cultural and recreational opportunities to ensure a high quality of life for citizens and visitors in the region.

Key Indicators :

  • Water and Air Quality
    • Watershed quality
    • Impaired waters
    • Smog and particulates
  • Land Use
    • Farm land acreage
    • % development in/out of Priority Funding Areas
    • Population density
  • Economic Well Being
    • Housing affordability
    • Median income
    • Cost of Living Index
    • Poverty rates
    • Food Stamp program participation
  • Public Safety: crime rates

D. Key Indicator Outcomes

GOAL #1: SUSTAIN AND DIVERSIFY THE ECONOMY

% Employment by Sector and County: 2004

 

County

Industry

Somerset

Wicomico

Worcester

Federal Government

1.0%

0.8%

0.9%

State Government

27.6%

5.1%

1.4%

Local Government

12.3%

8.9%

12.2%

Total Government

40.9%

14.8%

14.5%

Natural Resources/Mining

5.4%

0.9%

0.6%

Construction

5.0%

7.0%

7.8%

Manufacturing

3.7%

10.2%

4.6%

Trade/Transportation, Utilities

20.4%

21.7%

16.1%

Information

0.3%

1.9%

0.5%

Financial Activities

2.7%

4.3%

4.7%

Professional/ Business

2.4%

9.5%

4.7%

Education/Health

11.0%

15.3%

7.2%

Leisure/ Hospitality

6.4%

8.9%

35.8%

Other

1.8%

5.3%

3.5%

Total Private

59.1%

85.2%

85.5%

Avg. Annual Employment

6,953

43,740

24,380
Source: Maryland Department of Business and Economic Development

Change in Employment for the Region: 2002 - 2005

 

 

LES

 Industry

 

2005

%Growth

 %Share

2002

(2002-2006)

2006

GOVERNMENT SECTOR

13,003

13,041

0.29%

16.52%

Federal Government

654

604

-8.28%

0.77%

State Government

4,571

4,550

0.46%

5.76%

Local Government

7,778

7,887

1.38%

9.99%

PRIVATE INDUSTRY

63,028

65,911

4.37%

83.48%

Goods Producing

12,675

12,660

-0.12%

16.04%

Natural Resources and Mining

838

947

11.51%

1.20%

Construction

4514

5,793

22.08%

7.34%

Manufacturing

7,323

5,920

-23.70%

7.50%

Service Providing

50,305

53,251

5.53%

67.45%

Trade, Transportation, and Utilities

14,615

15,562

6.09%

19.71%

Information

1,139

973

-17.06%

1.23%

Financial Activities

2,981

3,591

16.99%

4.55%

Professional and Business Services

5,158

6,040

14.60%

7.65%

Education and Health Services

8,804

10,087

12.72%

12.78%

Leisure and Hospitality

14,670

13,814

-6.20%

17.50%

Other Services

2,938

3,814

7.73%

4.03%

Unclassified

48

2

-95.83%

0.00%

Total

76,031

78,952

4.66%

100.00%


Number of Jobs by Sector: 2004-2005

 

 

Tri-County Area

Industry

Somerset

 

Wicomico

 

Worcester