BUSINESS STRENGTHS

Economic Assets & Advantages

Conveniently located in the heart of Maryland’s scenic Eastern Shore, Dorchester County boasts more than 1,700 miles of shoreline, world-renowned manufacturing pioneers, and an entrepreneurial culture drawn by the waterfront ‘way of life.’ Dorchester’s business strengths include:

Our close proximity to the Washington D.C.- Baltimore corridor, coupled with affordable real estate and lower cost of living, has put Dorchester on the map as a prime location for companies from a variety of industries.

Competitive cost advantages, excellent quality of life and affordable housing options are just a few of the location attributes the county offers.

Smiling man at GKD USA | Dorchester County EDA

Key Industries

Agriculture

Dorchester is a center of agricultural production and innovation. With 435 farms averaging 300 acres, the county’s fertile land supports both commodity and consumer markets. Poultry growers, legacy farm families and new agricultural entrepreneurs are all rooted here.

Scientist testing | Dorchester County EDA

Environment

From the flagship University of Maryland Center for Environmental Studies to Garvey Environmental, Dorchester is home to environmental entrepreneurs and sustainability innovators.

Food Processing

Dorchester’s rich agricultural and seafood industries created a robust food processing sector. Today, companies like Amick Farms, B&G and Protenergy Natural Foods employ thousands of people.

Lindys Terry at crabs | Dorchester County EDA

Fisheries & Aquaculture

Dorchester’s seafood industry thrives today thanks to blue crabs, fin fish and oysters. From the longest operating crab house to a new generation of aquaculture farmers, today’s watermen are preserving history and pioneering sustainable seafood production.

Government, Cyber & Utility Contractors

As a designated HUBZone, Dorchester’s location and workforce have made us a prime expansion site for technology, contracting, call centers and fulfillment operations like RAMS, Cambridge Federal and Safe Chain Solutions.

Patriot Steel Welding | Dorchester County EDA

Manufacturing & Metal Works

Home to the world’s largest metal conveyor belt manufacturer and two architectural mesh fabricators, Dorchester boasts a dozen metal works companies including Cambridge-Rexnord, C&K Lord, GKD Metal Fabrics, Metal Arc, Patriot Steel and Dave Willey Welding.

Outdoor Recreation & Tourism

Dorchester County has been home to outdoor recreation enthusiasts for hundreds of years. Today, tourism is a major economic engine attracting people to golf, boat, hike, hunt and compete in endurance events like the IRONMAN Maryland

Professional & Business Services

Investment, insurance, accounting and law firms all call Dorchester home. A few of Dorchester’s well known professional services include 1880 Bank, ISG Insurance, and Folger Nolan Fleming & Douglas.

Logistics, Supply & Transportation

Dorchester’s proximity to deep water ports and major transportation corridors makes us a preferred location by fulfillment and trucking companies including Safe Chain, Warwick Enterprises and Delco.

Made in Dorchester

From airplanes and boats to conveyor belts and dog beds, Dorchester County businesses manufacture many goods and products.

For the complete list in a downloadable PDF, click here.

BB Sport Aviation | Dorchester County EDA

Airplanes from
B&B Sport Aviation

Boats, the Skipjack,
Nathan of Dorchester

Conveyor Belts from
Cambridge Engineered Solutions

Employers by Industry

Business Services*

Accounting
Advertising
Architecture
Consultants
Engineering
Financial Advisors
Insurance
Lawyers
Real Estate
*For a list of professional services in Dorchester, please contact the Dorchester Chamber or our office.

BUSINESS STRENGTHS

Economic Assets & Advantages

Key Industries