Calvert County hears 2026–31 economic development plan that urges targeted infrastructure and town‑center strategies

Anibahane Basu, chief executive officer of Sage Policy Group, presented the Calvert County Board of County Commissioners with a draft economic development strategic plan covering 2026–2031, saying the document aims to update prior work and set priorities for jobs, housing and infrastructure.

The plan matters because Calvert County faces an aging population, slower projected growth and a narrow tax base despite high median incomes. Basu told commissioners the county’s economy is heavily dependent on a few large taxpayers and on residents who commute out for work, and that those structural factors shape what local policy can reasonably achieve.

Basu summarized key findings from the county review and stakeholder input, including: a county population near 95,000, a labor force around 49,000 and a low unemployment rate; nearly 70% of residents who work commute out of the county; declining school enrollment and an expanding share of residents 65 and older; persistently low owner and renter vacancy rates; and limited new housing construction. He also flagged that local government and federal employment had been leading job-growth categories in recent years and cautioned those gains may not be sustainable once one‑time federal funds dissipate.

The consultant emphasized the county already benefits from large tax contributors, naming the Calvert Cliffs nuclear facility and an LNG terminal as major revenue sources. He also drew attention to potential new revenue options: "To the extent it might open the door to future development of that kind of clean energy source," Basu said, "large-scale data center or centers would pay a fair amount of taxes or payment in lieu of tax." Sage’s analysis estimated a hypothetical 800,000‑square‑foot data center could generate on the order of $5 million in annual property tax revenue for the county.

Basu described a suite of recommended priorities for county economic development staff and for commissioners, including: streamlining business regulations; revitalizing and repurposing underutilized commercial and town‑center properties rather than sprawling into rural areas; targeted public investment in water and sewer infrastructure in areas with the highest development yield; policies and incentives to support agritourism and farm viability; and workforce development paired with advocacy for workforce housing options.

Commissioners and attendees raised tradeoffs repeatedly: some stressed a desire to preserve Calvert County’s rural character and resist growth that would increase traffic on the county’s primary corridors, while others noted failing septic systems and aging infrastructure that require public investment. The consultant acknowledged the political sensitivity: "A lot of people in this community do not want that much growth," he said, adding that elected leaders must weigh the county’s fiscal needs against residents’ quality‑of‑life preferences.

The presentation included an explanation of metrics the county could track to measure success: new business formation, commercial occupancy in town centers, employment changes in targeted industries, direct‑to‑consumer farm sales and farm profitability, and building permits by type and price point.

The board did not take a formal vote on the plan at the meeting; commissioners asked for the report to be posted and for additional outreach and discussion in coming weeks. The county’s economic development staff will receive the consultant’s draft and return to the commission with additional materials and any requested edits.

Basu closed by urging the commission to align economic development priorities with the county comprehensive plan and with realistic investments in infrastructure and placemaking. "These strategies can make Calvert County more attractive to young families, entrepreneurs and demographic balance while significantly expanding both the residential and commercial tax base," he said.

The consultant and county staff said the full draft is available on the county site for public review and that commissioners expected further discussion at future meetings.