Consultant lays out 2026–2031 economic development plan, urges balanced growth and infrastructure investment

Anibane Basu, CEO of Sage Policy Group, presented a draft Calvert County Economic Development Strategic Plan for 2026–2031, telling commissioners the study analyzed federal and state economic data, focus‑group feedback, and prior plans to identify priorities. Basu said the county faces a slowly growing and aging population, a high commuter rate (nearly 70% of employed residents commute out of the county), and a low housing vacancy rate that together create fiscal and workforce challenges.

"What's the goal here: to update and revise the previous report and establish strategic economic development priorities and actions for Calvert County for the period 2026 to 2031," Basu said. The presentation highlighted that major local taxpayers such as the Calvert Cliffs power plant and the LNG terminal contribute a sizable share of property revenue, and that new tax sources (including potential data centers) could be considered to stabilize county finances while containing household growth.

Basu outlined recommendations including targeted public investments in water and sewer where developable land exists, town‑center revitalization to concentrate new activity, workforce housing strategies (noting that multifamily often offers the only feasible affordability path), and workforce development tied to higher‑wage industries. He also noted trade‑offs: data centers can generate significant property tax revenue but typically employ relatively few permanent workers per square foot.

Commissioners pressed on local constraints such as limited access roads and failing septic systems. One commissioner argued the county has "no appetite" for broad growth and emphasized infrastructure limits; Basu responded that policymakers can shape development outcomes through zoning and targeted investment. The board thanked staff and directed that the plan be posted online so the public could review and comment further.