ELKTON, MD — Cecil County has secured approval for a major expansion of its Enterprise Zone, adding 80 acres in and around Elkton in a move officials say will sharpen the county’s competitive edge and accelerate job creation across the region.
The Maryland Department of Commerce approved the expansion in December, extending the Cecil County Enterprise Zone into nine parcels within the county’s growth corridor. The newly designated land includes 11 acres off Maloney Road, 10 acres adjacent to the Upper Chesapeake Corporate Center, and 69 acres off Belle Hill Road.
County Executive Adam Streight said the approval reinforces Cecil County’s economic strategy at a pivotal moment. “This approval strengthens Cecil County’s competitive advantage and reinforces our commitment to growing a diverse, resilient economy,” Streight said. “The expanded Enterprise Zone will help us attract new businesses, support the expansion of existing businesses, and create jobs closer to home for our residents.”
Cecil County’s location between Baltimore and Philadelphia places it within overnight reach of markets representing more than 90 million people, roughly one-third of the nation’s buying power. Officials said the expanded zone builds on that geographic advantage by offering targeted incentives designed to draw private investment and support long-term growth.
The county has already leveraged Enterprise Zone incentives to land high-profile projects. Previous expansions helped pave the way for Great Wolf Lodge in Perryville, now the company’s largest resort, and multiple developments at Northrop Grumman’s Elkton campus, including the Hypersonics Capability Center completed in 2023 and the Propulsion Innovation Center currently under construction. County officials estimate nearly $1 billion in private development within the Enterprise Zone could be under construction over the next five to seven years.
Manufacturing remains the backbone of Cecil County’s economy, employing nearly 12 percent of the local workforce, the highest share of any industry sector in the county. Major employers include W.L. Gore & Associates, Northrop Grumman, and Terumo Medical Corporation, alongside large logistics and distribution operations such as Amazon, IKEA, Smithfield, and Restoration Hardware.
Officials said expanding the Enterprise Zone is also aimed at improving quality of life by bringing jobs closer to where people live. Many county residents currently commute 25 minutes or more to work, often outside Cecil County. New employment opportunities closer to population centers could reduce commute times, lower fuel consumption, and deliver both economic and environmental benefits.
The Cecil County Office of Economic Development administers the Enterprise Zone, handling business certifications and tracking job creation and capital investment. Economic Development Director Sandra Edwards said the expansion is about more than geography. “The expansion of our Enterprise Zone is about more than lines on a map,” Edwards said. “It’s about creating opportunity, supporting our existing businesses, attracting new employers, and ensuring Cecil County residents can build careers right here at home.”
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