New Report Details Challenges, Opportunities Facing Md. Eastern Shore
A new report by the Maryland Center on Economic Policy (MDCEP) provides a detailed look at factors affecting the economy of Maryland’s Eastern Shore and provides community-informed recommendations for policies that would support thriving communities and bolster economic growth.
Sustaining Strong Communities on Maryland’s Eastern Shore demonstrates the significant variation between the Eastern Shore’s nine counties, with some facing high unemployment and increased poverty, and others with some of the healthier job markets in the state. To ensure that all Eastern Shore communities and their residents have the chance to thrive, state and local policymakers should focus on three central challenges:
- Supporting Broad Prosperity: While the Eastern Shore’s labor market has shown improvements in recent years, it is characterized by higher unemployment and lower wages than other parts of the state. Partly as a result, families in the region are more likely to struggle to afford the basics. A central goal of state and local policy in the region should be to enable more residents to access family-sustaining jobs.
- Sustaining a Healthy Shore: Many Eastern Shore residents have inadequate access to medical care. All five of Maryland’s counties with the fewest primary care physicians per capita are on the Eastern Shore, and the region is home to more than half of Marylanders who live at least 15 miles from a hospital. Policymakers should work to ensure that all Eastern Shore residents can get the care they need, when they need it.
- Facing the Climate Change Present: While the threat of climate change looms over our entire state, it is already a dangerous reality for many of the Eastern Shore’s coastal communities. The region needs thoughtful solutions that balance community preservation, public health and safety, and long-term sustainability.
“The different regions of our state depend on one another. Maryland can only thrive if all residents have the support they need to succeed,” MDCEP Executive Director Benjamin Orr said. “While the approaches in this report are tailored to the needs of the Eastern Shore, these state-level policies are often relevant to other areas of the state as well.”
The report is available online at mdeconomy.org/strong-eastern-shore
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Media Contact
Kali Schumitz, Director of Communications and Partner Engagement
410-412-9105, ext. 701
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About Maryland Center on Economic Policy
The Maryland Center on Economic Policy advances innovative policy ideas to foster broad prosperity and help our state be the standard-bearer for responsible public policy. We engage in research, analysis, strategic communications, public education, and grassroots alliances promoting robust debate and greater public awareness of the policy choices Maryland residents face together. MDCEP is celebrating its 5th anniversary this year.
