Bel Air, MD – On Tuesday, March 31st, The Harford County Chamber of Commerce hosted their annual Economic Insight event, presented by APG Federal Credit Union, at Maryland Golf & Country Clubs. Featured speakers: Dr. Daraius Irani of Towson University and Regional Economic Studies Institute, and Karen Holt of Harford County’s
Department of Economic Development, and Ben Seigel, Deputy Comptroller of Maryland for Policy, Public Works, and Investment, shared economic updates from the federal, state, and local levels.
Harford Chamber Board Chair, Chris Stone of E-Moxie, welcomed guests and recognized dignitaries in attendance and Monica Worrell, APGFCU, offered sponsor remarks. Additional event sponsors included: BTEC Financial, Harford Bank, Display Local Media, Point Breeze Credit Union, Harford County Public Library, Jarrettsville
Federal, GIO Technologies, KasCon, Nancy Stuckey Merritt, Edward Jones - Financial Advisor: Paul Applegate, Rosedale Bank, Maryland Technology Development Corporation - TEDCO, The Kelly Group, Towson University in Northeastern Maryland, and University of Maryland Upper Chesapeake Health.
Dr. Daraius Irani provided a federal economic overview as well as additional state updates. The national GDP has increased slightly so far in 2026, but is increasing at a slower pace than expected. Due to difficult geopolitical issues and conflicts, consumer sentiment remains low and inflation continues to stay slightly higher than pre-pandemic figures. For the local business community, Dr. Irani shared that hiring will likely continue
to be a challenge as the number of available jobs has now risen above the number of unemployed individuals but cited advancements in technology as a likely area for business growth.
Karen Holt provided an update from Harford County’s Department of Economic Development, sharing positive trends for demographic and wage growth in Harford County. Holt noted various investments made by local businesses that are expected to create hundreds of new jobs and increase the county’s GDP over the next few years. She also cited recent growth in biomanufacturing and other defense efforts thanks to new investments in The Converge Center and new military construction efforts.
Ben Seigel, Deputy Comptroller of Maryland for Policy, Public Works, and Investment, shared tax updates and insights from the Maryland Comptroller’s office as well as resources for local businesses. He cited tax withholding growth as well as sales tax growth in most sectors. Notably, the newest taxes on technology and cannabis introduced in 2025 are lagging behind original expectations. He also shared that the office will be expanding research into business migration patterns, AI and the economy, and health care in Maryland over the next year.
View event photos here.
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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
