April 17, 2007

Land and Employment Needs Study

Carroll County Department of Economic Development commissioned a Land and Employment Needs Study to identify potential land areas best suited for future economic growth. Consultant Uri P. Avin of Parsons Brinckerhoff led a team of researchers to provide a comprehensive assessment of Carroll County’s employment zoned land. The study focused on three main areas:

• The sufficiency and suitability of land currently zoned for employment;
• Potential employment projections for the next 25 years and the amount and location for land that would be needed to support that growth;
• The resources required to prepare that land to support targeted employment sectors.

The report is currently being reviewed by the Economic Development Commission in their recommendations relating to the comprehensive planning process – the Pathways Plan – that is currently underway.

For a summary of the key study findings, please see Carroll County Land and Employment Needs Study.


Manufacturing in Carroll

Carroll County manufacturing is growing despite global pressures to increase offshore operations for many large manufacturing companies. We benefit from the presence of manufacturers like Evapco, General Dynamics Robotics Systems, Marada, Flowserve, Shelter Systems, Knorr Brake and Lehigh Cement who provide high wage jobs and support many community activities.

Carroll is also home to many small niche manufacturers and machine shops that make specialized products, equipment, and component parts for aerospace, biomedical, commercial and defense contractors throughout the region. Finding qualified and trained workers for this important sector of our economy is an ongoing challenge locally and nationally. 

To help address this workforce issue, Carroll Community College is hosting a Manufacturing Consortium meeting to discuss ways to meet the local training and recruitment needs. Please contact Kathy Menasche at 410-386-8108 for more information.