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RIDGELY – At its December 1 town meeting, the Ridgely Commissioners passed legislation formally establishing the Ridgely Economic Development Commission (EDC). While the commission is still in its earliest stages, town leaders see it as a long-term investment in Ridgely’s economic sustainability.
According to the enabling legislation, Ordinance 2025-399, the EDC will serve as an advisory body to the Commissioners of Ridgely. Its objectives are to study, promote, and recommend programs and policies that support economic development, in cooperation with the Caroline County Economic Development Department and in alignment with the town’s comprehensive plan.
Brad Sears, who serves as President of Ridgely’s Town Commission, said the need for an EDC has been evident for years. When Sears and his wife moved to Ridgely in 2016, he said one of the first things he noticed was the number of vacant storefronts. After becoming a Commissioner in 2023, he said he became “very much aware that the problems that Ridgely experiences are not unique to Ridgely. They are shared by virtually every small town here, at least in the Mid-Shore region…from what I've learned from speaking with other town officials through the Maryland Municipal League.”
As the town’s business landscape has shifted, especially so in 2025, residents have shared concerns at town hall meetings about how the town can better support local businesses. This commission is a way to address those concerns. “Getting this committee up and running has been a goal of mine and the Commission’s for a while,” Sears said, “Now we’re getting around to it after dealing with some more urgent matters involving the town.”
In preparation for creating the EDC, Sears said he “went to school on how an Economic Development Commission should work.” According to him, the EDC is about building resilience not just for businesses, but for the town as a whole. He explained that he sees the EDC helping to “develop a sustainable and resilient community” by fostering “a sustainable and resilient business climate.” If done thoughtfully, Sears said, economic development can create a ripple effect. “Once you have a vibrant business community, your tax base is going to increase, and that’s going to relieve, presumably, some of the financial strain on the town.” That, in turn, makes Ridgely more attractive to developers, additional businesses, and prospective residents.
Sears described the EDC’s mission as a three-legged stool: “support and strengthen, as necessary, existing businesses”, “recruit and attract new businesses”, and “develop, sustain, and improve your workforce.”
One of the EDC’s first anticipated tasks will be developing an asset inventory — taking stock of what Ridgely already has and identifying gaps. That process will consider available commercial space, water and sewer capacity, internet access, zoning specifications, and other factors. Sears also emphasized the importance of opening dialogue among the town’s economic stakeholders, including business owners, town officials, developers, and county partners.
Right now, the town is focused on staffing the commission. Under the ordinance, the EDC will be composed of five voting members and two non-voting ex officio advisory members. Voting members will be appointed by the Commissioners and include three town residents, along with two representatives who own, manage, or operate businesses in Ridgely. Non-voting members will include one Ridgely commissioner, who will serve as a liaison between the EDC and the Commissioners, and the director of the Caroline County Economic Development Department or their designee.
To ensure transparency and avoid any appearance of favoritism, Sears said a request for applications is being included with December water bills. “The request describes the qualifications we're seeking, eligibility requirements, time commitments, terms of office, and application instructions,” he said. Applications are due to the Town Office by January 15, 2026, and will be reviewed by an independent panel of subject matter experts, who may conduct interviews before making recommendations to the Commissioners.
Sears said the town is looking for individuals who demonstrate reliability, professionalism, and commitment, as well as those with backgrounds in areas such as accounting, finance, real estate, marketing, and sales. If all goes as planned, he said he would like to see the EDC staffed and ready to meet by February or March.
The ordinance defines the EDC’s responsibilities, including recommending policies related to business retention and recruitment, workforce development, infrastructure support, land use and zoning proposals with economic implications, and identifying grant opportunities or public-private partnerships. The commission will also be tasked with providing a public forum for resident and business owner input to be relayed to the Commissioners.
“I see it rapidly morphing into something that's more of an economic development office,” Sears said, “But you’ve got to crawl before you walk before you run.”
