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| Dorchester County is often called "The Heart of Chesapeake Country," because of its shape and its mid-shore location. An area of 600 square miles of land and 100 square miles of water makes it the largest county on Maryland's Eastern Shore. Its shoreline along the Chesapeake Bay and the Choptank River totals 1700 miles, including islands and streams. Boaters and other sportsmen share the waterways with commercial watermen, who continue to harvest oysters and Maryland blue crabs. The 25,000-acre Blackwater National Wildlife Refuge, under the auspices of the U. S. Fish and Wildlife Service, provides safe habitat for a diverse population of birds, mammals and waterfowl, including some endangered species. Because of its location along the Atlantic Flyway, Blackwater NWR serves as a wintering area for migrating ducks and Canada geese. The colorful history of Dorchester County includes such notables as slave trader Patty Cannon, sharpshooter Annie Oakley and Underground Railroad "conductor" Harriet Tubman, who helped more than 300 slaves escape to freedom during the Civil War. Two modern industrial parks are located in Dorchester County and accommodate both large and small businesses. Manufacturing accounts for nearly one-fourth of total employment, with the balance represented in the service and trade industries. Dorchester County continues to offer tax exemptions and other incentives in an effort to attract more businesses. The county is accessible via major highways to Washington DC, Baltimore, Philadelphia, New York and areas to the south.Download Real Estate Impact Report for the county. Download 4-page Brief Economic Facts for the county
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Dorchester County Economic Development Office Dorchester County Chamber of Commerce Census 2000 County Profile |
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