Page 50 - May 2023 Issue.indd

Industry Leaders Discuss for the year to come, highlighting the major risks that
economic stakeholders will likely encounter.
Economic Trends and Insights
Dr. Basu characterized the economy as overheated despite
at the 2023 Caroline the Federal Reserve’s fight against inflation, and says that we

Economic Symposium are in a wage/cost cycle with central bank policy driving the
economy right now. Small business and consumer sentiment
is lowering, and we are starting to see the seeds of recession
An expert group of industry leaders shared the latest being sown. His goal is to provide information to allow
economic trends and insights about the state of banking, business owner to make their own determination about
innovative ideas on hiring and keeping workers, workforce whether a recession is coming and what to do about it.
housing, and school-based workforce development programs
at the 2023 Caroline Economic Symposium on April 6th. Attendees heard an update on how Choptank Fiber is bringing
The symposium, hosted by Caroline County Economic broadband internet to Caroline County communities by Tim
Development and Tourism, took place at the North Caroline McGaha, VP of Technical Services for Choptank Electric
High School Auditorium in Ridgely, Maryland. Cooperative and VP of Operations for Choptank Fiber. Th en
Eric Cook, CTE Teacher Specialist & Youth Apprenticeship
“We had a fantastic turnout,” says Debbie Bowden, Director Coordinator for Caroline County Public Schools, and Morgan
of Caroline County Economic Development & Tourism.” Cox, Event and Communications Specialist for the Maryland
More than 160 people joined us to learn from experts in Business Roundtable for Education offered updates on youth

economic development, banking, broadband, housing, and workforce programs, Youth Apprenticeship and NextGen.
education.” Both programs provide information on jobs and careers from
mid-shore businesses to students, with a goal of bringing
Keynote speaker Dr. Anirban Basu, Chairman & CEO of Sage
young adults into the local workforce.
Policy Group, kicked off the symposium with an in-depth
analysis of the major factors shaping economic outcomes, The symposium also included two Featured Insights

including business confidence, central bank policymaking, discussions moderated by Debbie Bowden. Melissa Quirk,

worker attitudes, and geopolitics. He then offered a forecast President & CEO of Provident State Bank, joined Department
of Housing and Community Development Secretary Jacob
Day for a conversation on Banking and Housing for Workers.
Melissa Quirk discussed how inflationary pressures have

impacted business, the effect of raising interest rates on
homebuyers, and the future of capital markets and lending.
Secretary Day shared his plans for serving rural communities,
programs that serve the spectrum of housing needs, and
how his department is navigating the trifecta of infl ation,
tightened lending, and lack of inventory.
June 10, 2023 • 10 AM - 4 PM
Smokey Cat Lavender Farm
5090 Long Swamp Road
Federalsburg, MD

U-Pick Bunch of Lavender is included
Get tickets at www.smokeycatlavender.com
30 Exceptional Vendors
Smokin’ on the Shore Food Truck
Music featuring Ann Burgess Woodward rd
M
Alpacas, Petting Zoo & Crafts

Far Eastern Shore
W I N E R Y

Sorry, No Dogs Allowed.
Secretary Jacob Day, Melissa Quirk and Debbie Bowden
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