Economic Development Strategic Plan

The Board of Commissioners for Charles County hereby are requesting proposals from qualified consultants to prepare a Five-Year Strategic Economic Development Plan, informed by economic and market analysis, extensive stakeholder engagement, and industry-specific research.

The purpose of this plan is to:

• Provide a clear, data-driven strategy for County economic growth
• Strengthen the County’s competitiveness
• Guide investment in key programs, assets, infrastructure, and partnerships
• Support sustainable and equitable economic development
• Align County, regional, state, federal, and private-sector partners

Charles County is one of the fastest-growing counties in Maryland and the Washington–Baltimore region. Proximity to Washington, D.C.; expanding national defense and innovation assets; key emerging industries; and a strong quality of life position the County for transformational economic growth.

EDD’s mission is to promote a thriving, diverse, and resilient local economy through:

• Strategic partnerships
• Business retention & expansion
• Business attraction & competitiveness
• Rural and agricultural economic development
• Entrepreneurship and innovation
• Workforce and talent pipeline development
• Site readiness and infrastructure support
• Public-private partnership (P3) facilitation
• Marketing, branding, and business engagement

Charles County’s economic vision continues to evolve with the growth of:

• The Western Charles County Technology Corridor
• NSWC Indian Head and the defense/energetics innovation economy
• Waldorf Urban Redevelopment Corridor (WURC)
• Small business and MWBE ecosystems
• Rural and agricultural economic opportunities
• Regional logistics and distribution
• Innovation and tech-talent pipelines

To support this growth, the County has identified the following current target industries as central to its economic development strategy:

• Defense & Federal Contracting
• Energetics Technology
• Agribusiness
• Logistics & Distribution
• Health Services
• Retail

EDD now seeks a comprehensive strategic plan that will establish priorities, guide program development, identify resource requirements, and establish performance indicators for the next five years.