Residents and visitors are invited to join Worcester County Tourism and Economic Development
(WCTED) in celebrating Maryland Economic Development Week from September 28 through October 2, 2026.
In partnership with the Maryland Economic Development Association (MEDA), WCTED will highlight how
Local and state partnerships strengthen communities by attracting new residents, supporting local businesses,
and creating opportunities for growth and investment.
“Investing in business growth is an investment in our shared future,” stated Michele Burke, Business
Development and Retention Specialist for WCTED. “When our local economies thrive, it builds a lasting sense
of pride and unifies our communities across Worcester County and the State of Maryland.”
The public is invited to visit the WCTED office, located at 107 West Green Street in Snow Hill, Monday
through Thursday from 10:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m. Visitors can enjoy light refreshments, meet the WCTED staff,
and explore available services tailored to business growth and career improvement.
The celebration kicks off on Monday, September 28, at 9:00 a.m. when WCTED staff Michele Burke and Nancy
Schwendeman joins Ocean 98.1 FM Irie Radio to share details about the week’s events and celebrate Worcester
County’s thriving business community. Virtual learning opportunities begin on Tuesday, September 29, at 1:00
p.m. with a free webinar hosted by the Small Business Development Center (SBDC) focused on
Local SEO and Google Business Mastery.
On Wednesday, September 30, the Lower Shore Workforce Alliance’s Mobile Job Center Unit will be parked at
the Snow Hill Department of Social Services at 299 Commerce Street from 10:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m., providing
free career exploration and computer access for resume building. Later that afternoon at 1:00 p.m., business
owners can attend a virtual workshop titled Using an AI-Powered Client Experience to learn how to streamline
proposals, onboarding, and client communication.
The Mobile Job Center Unit will take to the road again on
Thursday, October 1, offering free public services at the Ocean Pines Library from 10:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m.
Friday, October 2, features a full schedule of business support and evening festivities. SBDC Director Scott
Hines will be available at the WCTED office from 10:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m. to provide free, confidential one-on-
one consulting for small business owners.
At 1:00 p.m., the week’s final webinar,
Making Your Business Ready and Resilient, will share essential strategies for business continuity. To conclude
the week, WCTED will open its doors from 5:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m. for Snow Hill’s First Friday event,
welcoming the community to shop locally and enjoy the annual pet parade.
The festivities will continue into October with two more events. The County Commissioners will issue an
official Economic Development Week proclamation during their scheduled meeting on Tuesday, October 6, at
10:00 a.m. Additionally, job seekers are encouraged to attend the Worcester County Job and Resource Fair on
Wednesday, October 14, from 2:00 p.m. to 5:00 p.m. at the Pocomoke Community Center.
For photos, video interviews with local business owners, and real-time updates throughout the week, follow
WCTED on Facebook (@ChooseMarylandsCoast) and LinkedIn (@Worcester County Tourism and
Economic Development). Learn more about Economic Development Week festivities by contacting Burke at
410-632-3112, x2122 or mburke@worcestermd.gov or visit www.choosemarylandscoast.org.
