Smithsburg, MD Economic Development Feasibility Plan

Town of Smithsburg, MD

The Town of Smithsburg commissioned BAE Urban Economics to prepare an Economic Development Feasibility Study to develop strategies that can be implemented by the town to strengthen the economic climate, particularly its downtown core, for the benefit of its businesses and citizens.

Smithsburg is a small town (population 2,932) in Western Maryland near the Catoctin Mountains. Town residents are relatively affluent while housing costs are comparatively low versus the greater Washington-Baltimore region.

The community has many assets to build on that would serve the local residents as well as visitors from the Washington-Baltimore region including orchards, farms and wineries, and historic and recreational amenities.

BAE conducted an existing conditions assessment, a strengths, weaknesses, opportunities, and threats (SWOT) analysis, several small stakeholders focus groups and a case study evaluation. The final product was an Economic Development Feasibility Plan, which lays out a step by step guide that will help the Town of Smithsburg tap its potential.

Key recommendations from the plan included improving and expanding events programming, leveraging the agricultural identity of the Town for economic development, and improving mobility and circulation.

Recommendations were established based on a detailed consideration of data trends, land use policies and other hard measures combined with a thoughtful review of public and stakeholder input.