County economic development director outlines growth, workforce and small-business initiatives

Heather Tonelli, Queen Anne's County director of economic and tourism development, presented the department’s 2024 economic indicators and priorities during the Feb. 25 county commissioners meeting.

Tonelli said the county’s population was about 53,000 in 2024 and is projected to reach about 55,000 by 2028, with growth skewed to older and retired households. She told commissioners the median home sale price in 2024 was $539,000 and that the county’s unemployment rate has been low — near 2.1–2.5 percent depending on the month. Tonelli said the county has roughly 18,600 jobs and a county GDP of about $2.7 billion, a 5.8% increase year over year.

On commercial activity, Tonelli reported 37 commercial or industrial property sales in 2024 totaling about $29.7 million and new commercial construction valued at about $77.8 million (a year-over-year increase she characterized as a 90% jump). She said the county saw a 19% increase in the number of new businesses in the past year, with 33% of those new businesses having employees.

Tourism and workforce initiatives: Tonelli said FY24 hotel tax revenues rose 16% year over year, the county recorded about 410,000 visitors and visitor spending was roughly $178 million (a 6.3% increase). On workforce programs, she described partnerships with the school system and career center: career coaches helped place more than 300 students into internships and reported four certified youth apprenticeships with more in progress. She said the county’s career center recently received an award from the Maryland Economic Development Association for its small-community workforce programming.

Small-business supports and infrastructure: Tonelli described two accelerator programs — Ignite and Elevate — run in partnership with the state Small Business Development Center and to be hosted at the Centerville YMCA, funded by the Rural Maryland Economic Development Fund. She said both existing-business support and new entrepreneur assistance are priorities.

Passenger ferry and infrastructure: Tonelli said Anne Arundel County received federal funding for an electric passenger ferry and is planning routing that would include Queen Anne's County; she said boat construction and procurement are several years away.

Why it matters: Tonelli said the county’s economic strategy focuses on supporting existing employers, attracting compatible businesses, addressing workforce and housing needs, and promoting tourism while preserving agricultural and residential character.

What commissioners asked: Commissioners pressed for details on whether figures were sale price or assessed values (Tonelli said the $539,000 median was a sale price), and asked whether the county could do more to ready “shovel-ready” commercial sites for future growth. Tonelli said a strategic industry analysis paid with Rural Maryland funds guided recent priorities.

Quote: “We want to focus on businesses that are here and growing our small businesses,” Tonelli said. “I really see that happening with supporting our existing businesses to help them grow.”