An expert group of industry leaders shared the latest economic trends and insights about the state of banking, innovative ideas on hiring and keeping workers, workforce housing, and school-based workforce development programs at the 2023 Caroline Economic Symposium on April 6th. The symposium, hosted by Caroline County Economic Development and Tourism, took place at the North Caroline High School Auditorium in Ridgely, Maryland.
“We had a fantastic turnout,” says Debbie Bowden, Director of Caroline County Economic Development & Tourism.” More than 160 people joined us to learn from experts in economic development, banking, broadband, housing, and education.”
Keynote speaker Dr. Anirban Basu, Chairman & CEO of Sage Policy Group, kicked off the symposium with an in-depth analysis of the major factors shaping economic outcomes, including business confidence, central bank policymaking, worker attitudes, and geopolitics. He then offered a forecast for the year to come, highlighting the major risks that economic stakeholders will likely encounter.
Attendees heard an update on how Choptank Fiber is bringing broadband internet to Caroline County communities, updates on youth workforce programs Youth Apprenticeship and NextGen, a conversation on banking and housing for workers, a discussion on how inflationary pressures have impacted business, programs that serve the spectrum of housing needs, and behavioral health in the workplace and innovations in human resources.
Additional speakers included Caroline County Commissioner Frank Bartz, who provided opening remarks, Dr. Derrick Simmons, who offered a warm introduction to Dr. Basu, and Dan Schneckenburger, Executive Director of Upper Shore Workforce Investment Board, who gave closing remarks.
At the end of the symposium, Debbie Bowden also unveiled her department’s new podcast Featured Insights, a podcast for businesses of Caroline County and the Eastern Shore of Maryland to learn from experts at the local, state, and national level.
The Caroline Economic Symposium was made possible with support from Caroline County Public Schools, Choptank Electric Cooperative, Provident State Bank, and Pep-Up Tri-Gas & Oil.
