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Economic Development Commission Minutes — 2026-05-27

Minutes May 27, 2026 · 3 page(s)

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EDC Meeting Minutes for May 27, 2026
I. Call to Order and Determination of Quorum
The meeting was called to order by EDC Chair, Shelly Gross-
Wade at 9:02 am.
Board members Present:
Shelly Gross-Wade, Vice Chair
Mason Popham, Vice Chair
Lee Bridgman, Secretary
Lara Wilson, Treasurer
Jim Reilly
Kelsey Karbaum
Heather Bacher, (Zoom)
Pat Fox
John Anderes
Ryan Snow
Kenneth Knight
Members Not Present:
Larissa Costello
Shawna Payne
Deayna Ewell
Doug Silber
QACETD Staff Present:
Heather Tinelli, Economic & Tourism Development Director
Debbie Gil, Economic Development Coordinator
Lisa Gallow, QACETD Office Coordinator
Connie Dean, Workforce Dev. Administrator
Others Present:
Jack Wilson, QAC Commissioner
Patrick McLaughlin, QAC Commissioner
Gigi Windley, Kent Narrows Development Foundation
Steve Johnson, QAC Planning & Zoning
Jason Mullen, Chesapeake College
Kim Kratovil, Eastern Shore Reg. Dir., Sen. Alsobrooks (Zoom)
Steve Cohoon, QAC Public Facilities Planner
Tracy Wilson, QAC Chamber of Commerce
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EDC Meeting Minutes
May 27, 2026
II. Approval of Agenda: On a motion made by John Anderes and seconded by Jim
Reilly, the May meeting agenda was unanimously approved by all members
present.
III. Approval of Previous Meeting Minutes: Ms. Gross-Wade noted a minor correction
for the April EDC Meeting Minutes. On a motion made by Jim Reilly and seconded
by Pat Fox, the April EDC Meeting Minutes were unanimously approved by all
members present
IV. Treasurers Report. EDC Treasurer Lara Wilson provided balance details, The
current balance for the EDC account remains at $8269.24.
.
V. Commissioner’s Report: QAC Commissioners Jack Wilson and Patrick McLaughlin
provided an update to the EDC members. Commissioner Jack Wilson provided
updates on budget hearings, a 3% property tax decrease, and new moratoriums on
sewer projects and data centers in Queen Anne's County. The discussion focused
heavily on data centers, with concerns about water usage, zoning requirements, and
potential state preemption of local control, similar to what happened with solar
projects.
VI. Directors Report-Economic & Tourism Development- Ms. Tinelli provided a detailed
summary related to QACETD department activities, business visits, projects,
meetings and upcoming events in her April 2026 Directors Update.
-
VII New Business:
A. QAC Moratorium Overview- Steve Cohoon, QAC Public Facilities Planner,
presented an overview of the current sewer moratorium in Queen Anne's
County, explaining that it affects major residential developments requiring
more than 1,750 gallons of sewer capacity. The moratorium was enacted in
August due to concerns about school capacity, traffic, and especially limited
sewer availability, with only 150,000 gallons of capacity remaining in the
existing 3-million-gallon plant. The task force is recommending allocation of
the 300,000-gallon re-rating capacity, with 125,000 gallons reserved for
Marlin Farms and Dominion, 25,000 gallons for failing septic systems
elsewhere, and the remaining 50,000 gallons split between commercial and
residential development. The comprehensive water and sewer plan update is
expected to be completed in July, with the updated sewer allocation policy
to be considered by the planning commission in July and county
commissioners in August.
Members discussed sewer allocation challenges in Queen Anne's County,
where a 10,000-gallon daily cap on residential sewer allocations would
effectively limit new housing development to about 400 homes over the next
decade. The task force recommended this cap to ration remaining sewer
capacity, though it would likely result in a de facto moratorium on new
development.
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EDC Meeting Minutes
May 27, 2026
Mr. Cohoon and Ms. Tinelli will share the current sewer allocation schedule
and details of existing flows and reserved commitments with the EDC and
interested members for transparency and further analysis.
VIII Old Business
B. Subcommittee Strategic Plan Priorities Updates:
1. Business Growth & Attraction- Mr. Reilly discussed potentially
revising subcommittee members that are engaged and specific to
address the recommendations from the recent data review and
establish sustainable programs per ongoing discussions.
2. Travel & Tourism- Continue partnership with Travel & Tourism
Advisory Committee and prepare a revised strategic action plan by
end of summer for EDC review
IV. Liaison Updates
A. QAC Planning & Zoning - Steve Johnson provided a Planning &
Zoning update.
B Kent Narrows Development Foundation- Gigi Windley updated on approved
text amendments related to Kent Narrows and upcoming events including
the Chesapeake Motoring Festival and July 4th celebrations.
C. QAC Chamber of Commerce- Chamber President, Tracy Wilson,
provided updates on Chamber activities, including successful coffee
connections and business events, with a ribbon cutting scheduled for June
4th at Tips and Toes.
D. Chesapeake College- Jason Mullen reported on recent graduations and
enrollment trends
X Adjourn- Ona motion made by Jim Reilly and seconded by
John Anderes, all members present approved to adjourn the EDC meeting 10:36am.
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