BEACON Releases Latest Eastern Shore Business Sentiment Survey Results
SALISBURY, MD---Eastern Shore business leaders’ outlook on the economy continues to decline compared to six months ago.
This sentiment, found in both short- and long-term outlook, is among the findings of the latest Eastern Shore Business Sentiment Survey conducted through a partnership with Salisbury University’s Business Economic and Community Outreach Network (BEACON), SU’s Eastern Shore Regional GIS Cooperative (ESRGC), and many of the region’s economic and workforce development professionals.
The summer 2025 results represent the ninth report released by BEACON. The first survey in the series was conducted in June 2021, with subsequent six-month follow-ups.
The survey included more than 35 questions, asking business leaders to weigh in on a range of topics, from general business concerns to conditions in their own industries. Respondents evaluated business conditions locally, regionally, in the state, and nationwide for the coming year. They also shared views related to their specific industries and on issues from labor supply to tariffs, regulations, and financing.
Results include:
• For the 12-month outlook, 28% of respondents believe business conditions in their counties will improve, compared to 31% in winter 2025. At the national level, 29% anticipate improvement, compared to 33% six months ago.
• Business leaders are less optimistic about the standard of living locally and nationally over the next 5 years, with only 33% predicting that it will rise in their county/Eastern Shore, and in Maryland/the U.S. This compares to 36% predicting a rise in the region last winter and 61% in summer 2024.
• When evaluating the current U.S. economy, 47% described it as “growing slowly or rapidly.” This compares with 55% in winter 2025 and 61% in summer 2024.
• For regional unemployment, 40% of respondents expect it to remain unchanged over the next 12 months, while 43% expect it to rise. At the state and national levels, 56% anticipate higher unemployment.
• In reflecting on their industries, 31% of business leaders expect conditions to decline slightly in the next three months, 29% expect them to remain the same, and 27% expect slight improvement.
• On the topic of tariffs, 56% reported no impact on operations over the past three months, and 44% anticipate no impact in the next three months. Respondents noted potential challenges such as supply delays, inventory issues, and raw material costs.
• For business expansion, the leading barriers identified were regulations, labor force, and inflation. For starting a business, the leading factors were labor force, financing, and regulations.
• When ranking which cost increases had the largest impact on their firm over the past six months, insurance was cited as having the greatest impact, followed by utilities and payroll/benefits.
• Looking five years ahead, 84% of respondents expect their firms to still be operating on the Eastern Shore, consistent with past surveys.
Counties on the Eastern Shore will continue to conduct the survey every six months, with the data used to identify challenges facing the region, to assist in long-term planning and to guide the development of public policy.
The Eastern Shore Regional GIS Cooperative (ESRGC) summarized the findings in infographics that can be found on the Eastern Shore Economic Recovery Project website, but economic developers also have access to an internal dashboard that enables them to mine the data for insight on specific issues.
Designed to gauge the opinions of the region’s business leaders, this survey is one of the tools created as part of the Eastern Shore Economic Recovery Project, a venture made possible by grants from the U.S. Economic Development Agency (EDA). The Mid-Shore Regional Council and the Tri-County Council of the Lower Eastern Shore are recognized as Economic Development Districts by the EDA.
The data tools used in the project have been recognized with regional and national accolades including the Maryland Economic Development Association’s 2022 Economic Development Program Award, the 2022 International Economic Development Council Silver Award, and the 2022 National Association of Development Organizations (NADO) Aliceann Wohlbruck Impact Award.
In addition to the regional councils, partners in the project include ESRGC, BEACON, the Lower Shore Workforce Alliance, the Upper Shore Workforce Investment Board, and the Caroline, Cecil, Dorchester, Kent, Queen Anne’s, Talbot, Somerset, Wicomico and Worcester counties economic development offices.
To access Eastern Shore Economic Recovery Project data, visit https://recovery.delmarvaindex.org. The complete Delmarva Index can be found at https://delmarvaindex.org.
For more information visit the BEACON webpage and the ESRGC website.
Learn more about SU and opportunities to Make Tomorrow Yours at the SU website.