The 37th Annual Southern Delmarva Economic Forecast will be held at 7:30 AM on Friday, December 6, 2024, at Salisbury University, in the Guerrieri Academic Commons. The Eastern Shore Delegation Luncheon and 2025 Maryland General Assembly Preview will follow.

Presented by The Salisbury Area Chamber of Commerce, BEACON at Salisbury University, and the Franklin P. Perdue School of Business, the event is an unparalleled opportunity to hear first-hand what leading regional economists and business leaders who will analyze the challenges facing the regional, national, and global economies. This year’s Forecast will emphasize how Maryland can remain competitive against our neighboring states in taxes, housing, and business retention/attraction.

The forecast panels include:

• The Southern Delmarva Economy featuring regional Economic Development Directors, who will respond to questions on how the current economy impacts several industry sectors, including construction, retail, housing, tourism, agriculture, and manufacturing.

  Panelists include David Ryan, Executive Director of Salisbury Wicomico Economic Development; Melanie Pursel, Director of Office of Tourism & Economic Development at Maryland’s Coast, Worcester County; Susan Banks, Director of Dorchester County Economic Development; Daniel Thompson, Executive Director of Somerset County Economic Development; William Pfaff, Executive Director, Sussex County Economic Development, Delaware; Leander Pambid, Accomack County Virginia Economic Development; and Linda Parkowski, Executive Director, Kent County Delaware Economic Partnership.

• What’s Our Competition Up To? We’ll hear from neighboring state leaders on how they keep and attract businesses. Panelists include Silas Chamberlin, PhD, Chief Strategy Officer of York Pennsylvania Economic Alliance; Mary Kane, President/CEO of the Maryland Chamber of Commerce; and Michael Quaranta, President of the Delaware Chamber of Commerce
• What keeps Maryland from Really Competing? Featuring Andy Bauer, Vice President and Regional Executive Baltimore Branch of the Federal Reserve Bank of Richmond, and the 2024 Salisbury University College Fed Challenge Team Department of Economics, Perdue School of Business: Zachary Harris (Team Captain), Darby Trout, Joe Enfinger, Janelle Armstrong, and Lance White; Dr. Ying Wu (Faculty Coach) Professor of Economics
• Legislative Fixes to Keep Maryland Competitive Featuring Maryland Senate President Bill Ferguson, Maryland Delegate Wayne Hartman, and Delaware Senate Majority Leader Bryan Townsend
• Keynote Speaker Makenzie Lystrup, Director of NASA’s Goddard Space Flight Center, will discuss the Lower Shore’s space economy and what that means for Delmarva’s business interests.
• 2025 Maryland General Assembly Preview The Lower Shore Legislative Delegation will be on hand to answer questions on the upcoming 2025 Maryland General Assembly Session. Representing the Lower Shore will be Senator Mary Beth Carozza, Senator Johnny Mautz, Delegate Christopher Adams, Delegate Barry Beauchamp, Delegate Wayne Hartman, Delegate Tom Hutchinson, Delegate Sheree Sample Hughes, and Delegate Charles Otto.
  SACC Board Chair Zach Evans will moderate the Q&A.