Talbot County business, agency, and nonprofit leaders interested in learning more about the power of the data available through the Delmarva Index are encouraged to attend a free presentation on Tuesday, June 18 beginning at noon at the Easton branch of the Talbot County Free Library.
Participants in the “Let’s Talk Numbers” program will learn more about leveraging the data tools in the Delmarva Index, a regional data hub developed by the Eastern Shore Regional GIS Cooperative that presents publicly available datasets and visualizations. The free tool lends a new and much-needed regional perspective to planning and decision-making while helping to meet the challenges facing the Delmarva region thanks to its unique geography and political boundaries.
Project Manager Erin Silva and GIS Analyst Anastassiya Suprunova will give an overview of the Delmarva Index and how to use some of the datasets it includes. The program is sponsored by the Talbot County Department of Economic Development and Tourism in partnership with the Mid-Shore Regional Council, Talbot Family Network, and the Talbot County Free Library. Seating is limited and lunch will be provided.
Cassandra Vanhooser, director of the Talbot County Department of Economic Development and Tourism, says having good data sources ensures that decisions are based on solid evidence and enhances the overall quality and effectiveness of the decision-making process.
“The Delmarva Index is a powerful tool for businesses and policymakers,” Vanhooser says. “It’s also an incredible asset for those of us who live and work on the Eastern Shore and who need data with which to make informed decisions about the communities we serve.”
Nancy Andrews, executive director of the Talbot Family Network, agrees. “Sharing data is a way to promote cooperation among community partners,” she says. “We’re pleased to join our partners in showcasing these useful resources that are available to our county organizations, businesses, and groups in our shared efforts to advance a high quality of life and work in Talbot County.”
The Delmarva Index includes data on Talbot County throughout the 15 catalog topics, including agriculture, business, crime, demographics, economics, education, employment, health, housing, income, manufacturing, politics, population, tourism, and transportation.
Developed and maintained by the Eastern Shore Regional GIS Cooperative (ESRGC), an outreach entity of Salisbury University, the Delmarva Index is made possible through a partnership with the Mid-Shore Regional Council and the Tri-County Council for the Lower Eastern Shore of Maryland. The project is supported by the Rural Maryland Council through the Rural Maryland Prosperity Investment Fund.
“Data is one of the most powerful tools we have to make informed decisions about the future,” says Silva. “The Delmarva Index collects, analyzes, and visualizes data to reveal meaningful insights into our local populations, housing, workforce, education, and more.”
Silva says the long-term vision for the Delmarva Index is to serve as an online data repository and visualization tool that will function as a comprehensive data source for demographic, economic, geographic, and social data of the Delmarva region.
The Talbot County Department of Economic Development and Tourism’s mission is to enhance and promote a business-friendly environment for current and prospective enterprises and to advocate for policies that support and strengthen the economic vitality of Talbot County. The department’s vision for Talbot County is built on the principles of strong communities, empowered businesses, and innovative solutions.
Business owners and managers are encouraged to attend all sessions of the speaker series and to subscribe to the Department of Economic Development and Tourism’s Talbot Works newsletter and breaking news at www.talbotworks.org. The department can also be reached at 410-770-8058 or by visiting their office at 215 Bay Street, Suite 5, Easton, Maryland.
