Maryland
| Program Category | # of Grants per state | Sum of EDA $ |
|---|---|---|
| Planning | 3 | $210,000 |
| Public Works | 1 | $2,282,750 |
| Technical Assistance | 1 | $116,667 |
| Grand Total | 5 | $2,609,417 |
The Town of Easton and Talbot County, Maryland as well as the Mid-Shore Regional Council Economic Development District, are determined to retain key manufacturing employers who are experiencing growth and offering high paying jobs. The mid-shore regional area experienced a decline in large manufacturing facilities over the past 10 to 15 years. Since late 2007, the region has experienced the closure of three manufacturing plants with an aggregate loss of nearly 600 jobs. To help cope with this job loss, the regional economy has depended on agriculture and tourism.
In FY 2018, EDA awarded $2,282,750 in Public Works funds to the Town of Easton for the construction of a business park that can be used to support business expansion and incentivize future manufacturing and technology job development. The Mistletoe Hall Commerce-Business Park will also provide additional airport-related business sites for the adjacent Easton Airport, a full-service general aviation airport. It is estimated that this investment will add 55 new jobs, retain 137 jobs, and leverage $4.5 million in private investment.