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County celebrates Catalyst Q cohort and touts economic, tourism gains
Summary
County economic development and tourism staff presented 2024–25 metrics and closed Catalyst Q, a minority entrepreneurship accelerator; commissioners and program leaders highlighted microgrant awards and business successes tied to the 12-week cohort.
Queen Anne's County commissioners heard an annual update from the county’s Economic and Tourism Development team and recognized graduates of Catalyst Q, a 12‑week minority business accelerator funded by county and regional partners.
Heather Tanelli, the county’s director of economic development and tourism, said the county’s December unemployment rate was 2.9% and that staff tracked $22 million in closed deals and $86.1 million of deals in active development. She also reported roughly $100 million of recent commercial property investment and an 8% increase in county gross domestic product in 2024.
Debbie Gil, economic development coordinator, described Catalyst Q partnerships—Bay Crossing Consulting, the Maryland Small Business Development Center and Chesapeake College—and detailed a microgrant program funded with Upper Shore Regional Council resources and county matching funds. She said 28 microgrant applications were reviewed and approximately 21 projects will be funded in full or in part.
Shelley Grossade of Bay Crossing Consulting summarized the Catalyst Q curriculum and introduced cohort participants who graduated after a 12‑week program of workshops, mentorship and an 85% attendance requirement. Two graduates presented to the commissioners: D. Sales Ward of Garden Warrior LLC described a multi-year revenue trajectory (from $12,000 in 2023 to $122,000 in 2025) and said the $5,000 county mini-grant paid for legal contracts, licensing and bookkeeping software. Kashara Brooks of Mentally Evolved Therapeutic Services said Catalyst Q clarified her brand, helped school outreach and supported business growth.
Tourism staff also reported a 3% increase in hotel tax revenue year-over-year and a 2.7% rise in visitors for 2024, with visitors coming from multiple states and 14 countries to the Chesapeake Heritage and Visitor Center. Staff described a grant-funded mobile visitor center and a new Shorepores brewery/winery/distillery promotion funded through the Maryland Alcohol Manufacturing Promotion (MAP) fund.
Commissioners congratulated the cohort and encouraged continued investment in entrepreneurship and skills programs. Catalyst Q graduates were invited to a public graduation and reception the following evening at the Kennard African‑American Heritage and Cultural Center.
What’s next: staff plan another Catalyst Q session later this year and will continue microgrant awards and outreach tied to the county’s economic development strategic plan.
