A well‐developed CEDS has a purpose not served by single‐jurisdiction planning documents. By its very nature, the CEDS process leverages the resources and input of all entities within a multi‐jurisdictional unit, in this case Somerset, Wicomico and Worcester counties and their municipalities. The final document is truly regional in both its outlook and its analysis of hard data. The end result is a document that actually augments the planning process of individual jurisdictions by providing a comprehensive look at the total resources of a region.

More important, the CEDS is the result of a locally based, “regionally owned” planning process. Despite the requirement of EDA that there be a CEDS, the document and the process are not created or dictated by EDA. The regional priorities outlined in the CEDS are the result of deliberation by the CEDS stakeholder committee comprised of representatives of organizations located in the region and which have specific knowledge and experience rooted in the region and its communities.

The goal of the CEDS is to articulate input from all the citizens of the region. To this end the CEDS process leverages the involvement of the public, private, and non‐profit sectors while providing a mechanism for stakeholders to engage in vigorous and meaningful conversation and debate about the economic direction of the region.

In summation, the CEDS document is:

• Comprehensive in its approach as it employs the input and experience of persons and organizations with a wide range of expertise and backgrounds within the entire multi‐jurisdictional entity;
• Economic-focused in that it surveys a broad range of specific economic sectors while considering trends and employing hard data in its analysis;
• Development-oriented as it considers the range of variables effecting economic activity and its impact and benefits to citizens, and
• Strategy-based in its underlying attention to economic resiliency and diversification while exploring the retention and further development of traditional and existing industries, all within a framework of regional planning.

Finally, the ultimate goal of the CEDS and its process is to create a pathway to opportunities for all residents of the Lower Eastern Shore of Maryland, specifically:

• Excellent education and workforce development;
• Fulfilling and financially rewarding employment;
• Adequate and affordable housing;
• A sustainable environment;
• A high quality of life;
• A range of healthcare options.