Economic Development Commission Minutes — 2026-05-27

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 1 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.

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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.

2 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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