Dorchester Economic Development Office
The Dorchester Economic Development Office is committed to strengthening the county’s business and employment climate to create more prosperous, vibrant and sustainable communities. Working with partners in government, economic development and education, we help business owners navigate and access the services and resources they need to succeed. Our team is dedicated to creating an environment where businesses thrive.
As Dorchester’s one-stop shop for economic assistance and advocacy, we offer a range of business development services. From site selection and workforce training to technical assistance and financial incentives, please let us know how we can help your business grow.
We invite you to keep up with Dorchester’s economic beat by connecting with us on social media.
Our Team
Susan Banks
Director
Susan has served as the Director since 2019. Prior to this role she served as the Business Development Manager for the Economic Development office for 5 years where she focused on attraction retention, and marketing strategies. She is involved with several local community organizations. Susan earned a bachelor’s degree in Political Science from Salisbury University and a master’s degree in Environmental Policy and Management from American Public University.
Tina Thompson
Incubator Manager | Administrative Specialist
Tina has served Dorchester County as an executive secretary and administrative specialist since 1999. After working with the County Council for many years, she joined our team in 2016 and is the incubator manager. She brings her administrative and business management skills to operate and manage the Eastern Shore Innovation Center. Her forged partnerships provides a mentor network and resources for our businesses and the community.
A. Cesante Alrey
Business Development Manager
A.C. joined our team in December 2021 and serves as the Business Development Manager. He is a Public affairs and Urban/Rural Development Professional with extensive experience in business-government-community relations, community and economic development, planning, education and workforce development, community outreach/engagement, legislation and public policy, marketing, and business/client development via his background in the public, nonprofit and private sectors. A.C. earned his B.A. in Urban and Metropolitan Studies from Michigan State University.
Location: Eastern Shore Innovation Center
Dorchester’s economic development office is located at the Eastern Shore Innovation Center, the anchor tenant of Dorchester’s Regional Technology Park.
Conveniently situated off of U.S. Route 50 across from the Cambridge-Dorchester Regional Airport, the Tech Park is a full-service business enterprise zone with competitively priced building lots.
The state-of-the-art Innovation Center is the county’s flagship business incubator. It contains 13,000 sq. ft. of Class A office suites, co-working space, shared amenities and the Eastern Shore’s only commercial wet lab facility.
Learn about the Innovation Center and our many amenities for new and growing businesses by viewing our leasing brochure, calling (410)-228-0155, or emailing us here.
