The Salisbury Area Chamber of Commerce Hosts the 38th Annual Southern Delmarva Economic Forecast and Eastern Shore Delegation Luncheon

The Salisbury Area Chamber of Commerce hosted a capacity crowd for the 38th Annual Southern Delmarva Economic Forecast and Eastern Shore Delegation Luncheon at Salisbury University on December 5, 2025. The event was presented in partnership with the Franklin P. Perdue School of Business and BEACON at Salisbury University.

Industry experts, economists, business executives, and elected leaders offered insights on the region’s economic outlook for 2026.

SACC President/CEO Bill Chambers opened the program, followed by remarks from media sponsor WMDT Good Morning Delmarva, Anchor John Trout and Salisbury University President Dr. Carolyn Ringer Lepre.

Regional Economic Outlook

Forecast Moderator Zach Evans, SACC Board Chair, introduced economic development leaders from Maryland, Delaware, and Virginia. Speakers highlighted trends shaping the region, including the rapid rise of AI, energy supply challenges, and the impact of offshore wind and tourism.

Panelists included Dave Ryan, Salisbury Wicomico Economic Development; Melanie Pursel, Worcester County Economic Development, Office of Tourism; Susan Banks, Dorchester County Economic Development; Zachary Prebula, Kent Economic Partnership, Kent County, DE; Clint Sterling, Director of Somerset County Recreation, Parks, & Tourism; Andrew Harton, Sussex County Delaware Economic Development; and Leander Pambid, Accomack County Virginia Economic Development.

Dave Ryan noted, “AI impacts on businesses are real, even with broader economic uncertainty.”

Melanie Pursel warned that offshore wind development poses “potential disruptions to the economy of Ocean City, and Zach Prebula stressed the need for “adequate sources of energy” to meet manufacturing demands.

Addressing Delmarva’s Housing Crisis

Panelists from public and private sectors addressed the region’s pressing housing shortage, including Jordan Gilmore, Senior Policy Analyst at the Maryland Department of Housing and Community Development; Jon Horner, General Counsel at Schell Brothers; Brad Gillis, Principal at Gillis Gilkerson; and William McCain, Founder & Chairman at W.R. McCain and Associates.

“Maryland will require “600,000 new housing units by 2045,” said Jordan Gilmore of the Maryland DHCD.

Horner spoke about the challenges home builders face in Delaware, “Sussex County zoning is horrendous. In the 1970s, it was decided that agricultural land would only be permitted to allow two housing units per acre; now Sussex has sprawl.”

Gillis highlighted opposition to new development, calling it “the CAVE mentality—Citizens Against Virtually Everything.”

Delmarva’s Emerging Industries

A panel on emerging industries spotlighted innovation in drones, ag-tech, and entrepreneurship. The panel featured Peter Bale, Sentinel Robotic Solutions, LLC; Greg Padgham, Executive Director, Tri-County Council for the Lower Eastern Shore; Mike Thielke, Executive Director of the Entrepreneurship Center; Mike Jensen, Executive Director of Entrepreneurship, Salisbury University; and Dr. Sophie Wang, Professor of Computer Science at Salisbury University.

Bale emphasized federal investment: “The Trump administration allocated one billion dollars for this technology,” strengthening partnerships with the Navy, NASA, and local colleges.”

Thielke spoke of the Entrepreneur Center and its focus. ”We are working with nontraditional sectors, including the ag-tech industry. These are high-value sectors; we set up the ingredients for a bio lab in Easton, Maryland, similar to what the I-270 tech corridor is doing across the bridge.”

What Lies Ahead in Aerospace & Aviation?

Aerospace panelists included David Pierce, Director, NASA Wallops Flight Facility; Kurt Eberly, Director of Space Launch Programs, Northrup Grumman; Aaron Kuipers, Director of Test and Launch Operations, Rocket Lab; and Coleman McCord, Director of Launch Site Development, Firefly Aerospace discussed major aerospace advancements, the growth of the industry, and the importance of attracting more local employees to fill a wide range of positions.

“Wallops just celebrated 80 years… and 2026 will be a banner year,” said NASA Director David Pierce. Kuipers noted the debut of Launch Complex 3, which will host the first Neutron program launch next year.

Addressing Maryland’s Energy Challenges

The final morning panel centered on energy supply, grid constraints, and renewable development with panelists Maryland Senator Brian Feldman, Chair of the Senate Education, Energy, and Environment Committee; Dave Wilson, Maryland Development Manager for US Wind; Leah Meredith, Director, State Affairs, Mid-Atlantic Solar Energy Industries Association; and Shane Breakie, Vice-President, Chesapeake Utilities and Sandpiper Energy.

Senator Feldman cited Maryland’s high utility rates: “Our supply is not keeping pace with demand… 40% of our electricity is imported.”

Wilson highlighted that offshore wind would power “25% of Maryland’s homes” and cut CO₂ emissions significantly.

Chesapeake Utilities’ Shane Breakie added, “Delmarva natural gas bills are actually lower, accounting for inflation, than they were 25 years ago.”

2026 Maryland General Assembly Session Preview

During the afternoon session, Greg Reddell, Moderator and Past SACC Chair, introduced members of the Lower Shore Legislative Delegation to preview the 2026 General Assembly session. Topics included the state budget deficit, energy policy, federal relations, and immigration concerns.

The panel included Senator Mary Beth Carozza (R) District 38 – Somerset, Wicomico & Worcester Counties; Delegate Christopher Adams (R) District 37B – Caroline, Dorchester, Talbot & Wicomico Counties; Delegate Barry Beauchamp (R) District 38B – Wicomico County; Delegate Wayne Hartman (R) District 38C – Worcester & Wicomico Counties; Delegate Sheree Sample-Hughes (D) District 37A – Dorchester & Wicomico Counties; and Delegate Tom Hutchinson (R) District 37B – Caroline, Dorchester, Talbot, & Wicomico Counties.

Senator Carozza noted that Republicans proposed a 5% budget cut, a hiring freeze, and changes to Medicaid eligibility to avoid tax increases, while Delegate Chris Adams cited “unfunded mandates” as a driver of deficits.

Delegate Hutchinson urged Maryland to consider “all energy sources, including geothermal, natural gas, and nuclear.”

Delegate Sample-Hughes shared, “The reality of where we are now is people are scared to leave their homes. Additionally, they want to dismantle the Department of Education, and education is the pathway to grow the economy.”

Acknowledgments

The Salisbury Area Chamber of Commerce wishes to thank the panelists, the Eastern Shore Delegation, Presenting Sponsors BEACON at Salisbury University and the Franklin P. Perdue School of Business; Media Sponsor 47abc WMDT; CEO Level Sponsors CareFirst BlueCross BlueShield, D3, Davis Strategic Development, Pohanka of Salisbury Automotive, Nautilus Solar Energy, LLC, and Wor-Wic Community College; Chairman Level Sponsors Avery Hall Insurance, Chesapeake Utilities, Delmarva Power, Gillis Gilkerson, The Insurance Market, M&T Bank, Maryland Broadband Cooperative, Mountaire Farms, Perdue Farms, Inc., Taylor Bank, TidalHealth, University of Maryland Eastern Shore, and The Voice Radio Network; Board Level Sponsors Associated Builders & Contractors Chesapeake Shores, Bancroft Construction Company, BBSI Salisbury,  Chaney Enterprises, Chesapeake Health Care, Delmarva Veteran Builders, Farmers Bank of Willards, Hebron Savings Bank, Link Bank, Shore Sheet Metal, SVN Miller Commercial Real Estate, Tri-County Council for the Lower Eastern Shore of MD, U.S. Wind,  and W. R. McCain & Associates; Supporter Level Sponsors AWB Engineers, Bank of America, Choptank Electric, Delmarva Chicken Association, D.R. Horton, Greg Reddell State Farm Insurance, Salisbury Regional Airport, Salisbury Wicomico Economic Development, and TRUIST.