As 2007 comes to a close it is time to take stock in the year and consider what lies ahead in 2008.

Probably the most important highlight is that sometime in 2007 our population surpassed 100,000.

We're not sure exactly when it happened, or who the 100,000th person is. There was no fanfare. It happened silently.

But when it happened it was significant, a major milestone. For now just consider what a population of 100,000 means as we go forward.

Some other important economic facts about the County include:

·   Our workforce now exceeds 50,000

·   Median household income exceeds $71,000

·   Unemployment at 3.3% is less than the state and nation

·   75% of our labor force works within the County, the highest rate of non-commute outs in the Washington-Baltimore metro region

·   The County is ranked second in the state in highest average weekly wage per worker in the government sector where 30% of our workforce is employed

·   We are the third highest county in the state in average weekly wage per worker

·   The Professional & Technical Services industry sector accounts for almost 30% of all private sector employment, and represents nearly 75% of this sector throughout Southern Maryland

·   8 of the County’s top 10 major private employers are in this important industry sector

·   Almost two-thirds of our technology firms are classified as small businesses, 29% are veteran-owned, 16% are woman-owned, several are minority owned

·   More than one-third of the 200 companies listed in our Technology Handbook were founded right here in St. Mary’s County

This isn't a complete list but it gives us a good profile of where we stand today.

I’s been a very good year. Across the board, the DECD staff has been actively involved in the community in a broad range of activities.

From Business Development (Hans Welch, Cynthia DellaGatta, Cheri Noffsinger), Tourism (Carolyn Laray, Beverly Brown), Agriculture & Seafood (Donna Sasscer, Lisa Ledman), Housing Authority (Dennis Nicholson and staff), Community Development Corporation (Robin Finnacom and staff), and of course our department coordinator Bert Bowling, each has made a tremendous contribution to advancing the County’s economic well-being.

On behalf of our staff I want to wish everyone a very happy and joyous holiday season. We are hopeful that 2008 will also be prosperous.

If you’ve not yet had an opportunity to work with our staff please do so. We are here to help, see www.stmarysmd.com/decd/decdtemplate.asp?content=whowearecontent.asp.

Peace on Earth, Bob
Director, Department of Economic & Community Development
Bob.Schaller@stmarysmd.com, 301-475-4200 x1406