St. Mary's County Economic Development

10/22/2026

We are set up with our small business support partners at the first annual FlightPath St. Mary's County business resource fair. Stop by before 2pm today to make the connections critical to business success.

Visit St. Mary's MD Maryland Technology Development Corporation - TEDCO Tri-County Council for Southern Maryland Southern Maryland Agricultural Development Commission Maryland Small Business Development Center, Southern Region

10/22/2026

Kicking off the Maryland Economic Development Association (MEDA) Fall Conference. Making sure housing aligns with the strategy to grow St. Mary's County's economy.

10/20/2026

Join St. Mary's Young Professionals TONIGHT (10.20.2026) for a night of games, good company, and a little friendly competition at The Griffon’s Court Games & Collectibles in Leonardtown! 🎲
We’re trading traditional networking for GAME NIGHT! A relaxed evening where you can meet other young professionals from across St. Mary’s County while playing board games and maybe showing off your competitive side.
🎲 Board games & friendly competition
🤝 Meet & connect with other local young professionals
📅 October 20th
⏰ 5PM
📍 Griffon’s Court | Leonardtown, MD

10/19/2026

Our FlightPath St. Mary’s County program is bringing local businesses and resource partners together for the Business Resource Fair on October 22!

Stop by to connect with organizations dedicated to helping businesses succeed, discover resources available right here in our community, and take advantage of FREE breakout sessions covering AI, healthcare, taxes, energy efficiency, government contracting, and more.

Whether you’re just getting started, navigating your next stage of growth, or looking for a specific resource, this event is designed to help you make the right connections and find the support you need.

👇 Check out the post below for details and be sure to follow the FlightPath St. Mary’s County page to stay up to date on upcoming networking events, trainings, Fireside Chats, resources, and other opportunities for our local business community.

✈️ We hope to see you October 22!

The FlightPath St. Mary’s County Business Resource Fair is coming up, and we’re bringing you five FREE breakout sessions focused on the real challenges and opportunities facing small businesses!
Whether you’re looking to:
🤖 Put AI to work in your business
❤️ Explore affordable healthcare solutions for your team
💰 Better understand business taxes
⚡ Find ways to lower energy costs
🔍 Explore government contracting and funding opportunities
…there’s a session for you!
Each 30-minute session is designed to provide practical information, actionable takeaways, and connections to resources that can help your business succeed.
And don’t forget the breakout sessions are just one part of the day! Stop by the Business Resource Fair from 10 AM–2 PM to connect one-on-one with organizations offering funding, workforce, business development, technical assistance, and more.
📅 Thursday, October 22
⏰ 10 AM–2 PM
📍 USMSM SMART Building | California, MD
Come for one session, explore the Resource Fair, or spend the day taking advantage of it all!
🚀 Connect. Learn. Grow. Let’s fuel your business takeoff!

10/15/2026

Partnering today with The Patuxent Partnership to showcase St. Mary's County assets and capabilities to a dozen Ukraine UAS companies looking for a U.S. presence.

Common pathways for international companies to a establish a U.S. presence are:

• Employer of Record (EOR): Allows a foreign company to hire and pay U.S. employees legally within days without first incorporating a local U.S. subsidiary.

• C-Corporation or LLC Formation: Involves filing a legal entity—frequently in Delaware for its business-friendly legal framework—and registering as a foreign entity in the state of physical operation.

• Strategic Alliances & Joint Ventures: Partnering with an existing U.S. company to share distribution networks, co-market products, or handle contract manufacturing.

10/06/2026

The Maryland Economic Development Association (MEDA) announced a record-high return on investment for county economic development operations. For every $1 St. Mary's County Government invests in the department of economic development an average of $11.67 in economic impact is realized.

"Economic development takes many forms, including business attraction and expansion, workforce development, entrepreneurship, and infrastructure improvements. These efforts help communities attract and retain businesses, create jobs, strengthen local economies, and improve opportunities for the people who live and work there."

“Each year we work with the dedicated economic development professionals across the state to collect data on the impacts of their activities,” shares John Hickman, director of BEACON. “We are very happy that all 24 of the Maryland jurisdictions were able to provide data for our analysis. The three-year average ROI allows MEDA members to share one of the measures of the impact their work has on our economy.”

Our Deputy Director, Kellie Hinkle serves on the MEDA Public Policy Awareness Committee which conducted the study in partnership with the Business Economic and Community Outreach Network (BEACON) at Salisbury University. BEACON utilized IMPLAN, a regional economic analysis software, to analyze data reported by economic development offices across Maryland for 2024, 2025, and 2026, including jobs created or retained as well as county investments in economic development operations.

Havre de Grace, MD (October 2, 2026) – The Maryland Economic Development Association (MEDA) announced a record-high return on investment for county economic development operations, with every $1 invested generating... Read More »

10/03/2026

Agriculture and Seafood is one of St. Mary's strategic industries. We are incredibly fortunate to have Sydney Garner leading the effort to support our existing land and water based businesses, attracting new businesses, and promoting our AgriCoast brand identity to consumers.

Congratulations, Sydney! You are a leader among leaders!

Introducing LEAD Maryland Class XIV Fellow, Sydney Garner!

Sydney, St. Mary’s County, is a farmer and the Agriculture and Seafood Division Manager with the St. Mary’s Co. Department of Economic Development.

Sydney shared what she hopes to gain from her LEAD Maryland experience: “Through LEAD Maryland, I hope to build lasting connections with my fellow participants and the industry leaders we engage with during the seminars. I also hope to gain a broader understanding of the key issues facing agriculture and learn how other regions and jurisdictions are addressing those challenges. These experiences will help me bring new ideas and perspectives back to my work and strengthen my ability to serve the agricultural community.”

“I hope to use my LEAD Maryland experience to grow both personally and professionally, becoming a stronger leader for my team and the agricultural producers I work with. I want to strengthen my ability to advocate for an industry that feeds our communities and is essential to our economy and everyday lives, while bringing new ideas, perspectives, and connections back to better support agriculture in my region,” Sydney expressed.

Thank you, Sydney, for the insight and experience you bring to Class XIV!

09/30/2026

"Economic Development creates the conditions for economic growth and improved quality of life by expanding the capacity of individuals, firms, and communities to maximize the use of their talents and skills to support innovation, lower transaction costs, and responsibly produce and trade valuable goods and services." -US Economic Development Administration

Cheers to the economic development professionals across the state as we recognize Maryland Economic Development Association (MEDA) 's Economic Development Week in Maryland!

Economic Development Transforns Lives.

09/23/2026

College of Southern Maryland sharing our region’s roadmap to filling the Quantum workforce needs of the future...shifting from research to commercialization and maintenance.

09/23/2026

When young professionals feel connected to the community, they are more likely to stay and grow their careers locally. Networking opportunities and meaningful civic projects show the next generation that they can build a successful future right here in St. Mary's County.

St. Mary's Young Professionals held a successful networking event in September, hosted by Everyday Saint Brewhouse with Loose Stones Oyster Company. The rain did not deter the group. Every oyster was shucked and slurped! 🦪🍻🦪