at Harford Chamber’s State of the County
Bel Air, MD – On Thursday, January 22nd, The Harford County Chamber of Commerce hosted their annual State of the County event, sponsored by MedStar Health. Harford County Executive Bob Cassilly gave his State of the County Address, sharing the administration’s accomplishments this past year and future opportunities. Harford Chamber Board Chair, Chris Stone of E-Moxie, welcomed guests and recognized dignitaries in attendance. Dr. Meghan Milburn, Chief of Breast Surgery at MedStar Franklin Square and Bel Air Medical Center, offered sponsor remarks, sharing MedStar’s accomplishments this year in cancer research and treatment.
After lunch, Harford County Executive Bob Cassilly presented his State of the County address. The County Executive outlined a vision for intentional, high-value economic growth rather than "growth at any cost." He emphasized fiscal responsibility, workforce development, and strategic partnerships as the pillars of the county's future moving into 2026.
Related to economic growth, Cassilly stated that the county will be prioritizing development that strengthens the county’s competitive position and provides a long-term return on investment for taxpayers. Economic expansion is necessary to move forward, but the administration wants to ensure that the growth aligns with road capacity, utilities, and public safety to maintain the local quality of life.
Despite a challenging business climate at the state level, the County Executive shared that Harford County continues to show economic strength, sharing about the recently secured AAA rating from S&P Global. He applauded the work of the administration in closing a $9 million budget deficit without raising taxes and the work of the Department of Procurement in saving $38 million while adding 37 ambulances at no extra cost.
The County Executive highlighted that “businesses will follow talent” and therefore workforce readiness is a top priority. He celebrated Harford County Public Schools now hosting the #1 youth apprenticeship program in Maryland, connecting over 300 apprentices with 238 local businesses and shared that there will be an increased focus on high-tech sectors like science, advanced manufacturing, and data science to give young residents reasons to stay and work in the county.
Executive Cassilly closed by highlighting the partnerships that make this growth in Harford County possible and his goal to help Harford “grow right”, ensuring the county remains a place where families and businesses can thrive.
Thank you to all of our event sponsors for making this event possible: Medstar Health, Constellation, APG Federal Credit Union, Campion Insurance Agency, Harford Bank, Harford County NAACP, Harford County Public Library, Jarrettsville Federal Savings & Loan, KCI Technologies, DiPaula Law, The Highlands School, University of Maryland Upper Chesapeake Health, and The Kelly Group.
Thank you to MidAtlantic Photographic LLC for capturing photos of the event. All event
photos can be viewed on the Chamber’s Facebook page here.
--------------------------------------
About the Harford County Chamber of Commerce: The Harford County Chamber of Commerce has worked continually as the recognized voice of business in Harford County since 1976. The Harford Chamber is the premier business advocate in the county, helping members connect and thrive to create a vibrant economy across all
sectors.
For more information or become a Harford County Chamber member, please contact
Natalie Pixley at natalie@harfordchamber.org
Harford County Chamber of Commerce
Natalie Pixley Director of Strategic Partnerships
