Upcoming roundtable discussion addresses concerns of poverty in Somerset County

SOMERSET COUNTY, Md.- “Let’s not necessarily look at Somerset as a place that’s down on its luck, but look at it as a place of opportunity,” Schablein said.

Local leaders, activists, and community members will all have a seat at the table.

The Lower Shore Progressive Caucus will host an upcoming community discussion to address the growing concerns of poverty in Sussex County. “Our belief is that Somerset County for a while has struggled with poverty, but we also believe that Somerset is the breadbasket of the Eastern Shore and really the state,” Schablein said.

LSPC Chairman Jared Schablein says the goal is to find ways to increase access to higher education, bring new businesses to the area, and make sure those who call Somerset County home can make a livable wage. “We have opportunities that are popping up, we just need to make sure that those opportunities are equitable and will come to places like Somerset that can host some of these businesses,” Schablein said.

Crisfield Mayor Darlene Taylor says the city’s biggest challenge has been the major decline in economic development which has made the potential of seeing growth in the area slim to none. “So there has not been a lot of opportunity for our citizens. That’s why we’re excited to talk about what are the resources available to help us to get to the place that we need to be,” Taylor said.

Mayor Taylor says it will be important for all residents to come out to that roundtable event to not only let their voices be heard but also to hear about solutions they already have in motion. “We’re also looking at having a Business Development Director. Their goal will be to help us overcome some of those economic challenges, bring new business to the area, and supports the existing ones already in our community,” Taylor said.

The Lower Shore Progressive Caucus says offshore wind initiatives have brought jobs to Wicomico and Worcester counties and say they want to make sure Somerset is included in that.

Mayor Taylor also tells us another goal is to increase partnerships to make Crisfield more attractive to prospective companies.

Panelists will include reps from UMES to talk about education and the Somerset County Health Department to discuss to the impact poverty has on health.

The event is being held at 1:00 p.m. on this Thursday, June 29th at the j Millard Tawes Historical Museum in Crisfield.