October 30 Public Meeting in Easton for Visitors Center Feasibility Study

The Talbot County Department of Economic Development and Tourism invites the community to learn more about and provide input for a proposed Visitors Center in Talbot County. The public meeting will take place at the Talbot County Free Library at 100 W. Dover Street beginning at 5:30 p.m. on Wednesday, October 30.

Talbot County began a feasibility study for a new Visitors Center in 2023, with the effort led by Talbot County’s Tourism Board under the direction of Cassandra Vanhooser, director of Talbot County Economic Development and Tourism. The group accepted proposals from outside bidders and selected Becker Morgan Group and Salisbury University’s Business Economic & Community Outreach Network (BEACON) to complete the study.

For Phase I of the project, BEACON assessed visitors centers across the Delmarva Peninsula and interviewed tourism officials in a number of neighboring jurisdictions who operate such facilities. They also looked at several sites on Route 50 to determine their suitability as a location for a similar facility. Becker Morgan Group will build on BEACON’s recommendations to create a preliminary design and proposed budget for a new visitors center.

“The researchers at BEACON have spent months studying visitors center trends and have provided an inventory of the facilities across the Eastern Shore and Delmarva Peninsula,” Vanhooser said. “They will share the results of their research at this meeting. Those who attend will also have the opportunity to share their own ideas for what they’d like to see in a visitors center.”

The feasibility study was funded in part by a grant from the Maryland Rural Economic Development Fund through the Mid-Shore Regional Council and the Maryland Department of Commerce. The Talbot County Department of Economic Development and Tourism’s mission is to enhance and promote a business-friendly environment for current and prospective enterprises and to advocate for policies that support and strengthen the economic vitality of Talbot County. The department’s vision for Talbot County is built on the principles of strong communities, empowered businesses, and innovative solutions.

Business owners and managers are encouraged to receive the department’s Talbot Works newsletter and breaking business news by subscribing at www.talbotworks.org. The department can also be reached at 410-770-8058 or by visiting their office at 215 Bay Street, Suite 5, Easton, MD.