Carroll County continues efforts for job creation, with $150,000 allocated

Though Carroll County’s current unemployment rate is at a low 2.7%, officials continue efforts to attract new businesses and create jobs for its residents.

The Board of Carroll County Commissioners on Thursday unanimously approved the allocation of $150,000 toward business expansion and new job creation.

Denise Beaver, the director of the county’s Department of Economic Development, said the funding supports business development projects in the county.

The $150,000 is considered Carroll Business Expansion Job Creation funding,

“The Department of Economic Development recognizes and values the capital investments made by companies in significant business expansion projects,” a county briefing paper states. “These business expansion projects increase the tax base and provide local job opportunities.

“The department facilitates local business expansions through Carroll County Workforce Development no-cost services and through job creation funding for qualified projects,” the briefing paper states.

The fiscal 2025 operating budget allocates $3,175,370 toward economic development in the county. Of that, $265,280 is for Carroll County Workforce Development and another $850,000 is targeted at economic development, infrastructure and investments.

Meanwhile, a 2023 Economic Development and Land Use Study found that 70% of county residents travel to jobs outside of Carroll, with only about 22% employed in the county. Though Carroll offers jobs in construction, health care, government, technical and scientific services, the average distance people travel for work is 24 miles outside the county.

The study states that 86% of Carroll businesses are in the private sector, and another 14% are government jobs. Between 2020 and 2050, Carroll County’s employment base is projected to increase by nearly 11%.

The unemployment rate is at 2.7% in the county, according to statistics from the 2024 Civilian Labor Force Employment and Unemployment chart. The average labor force number is 95,344.

The labor force includes all people aged 16 and older who are either working or actively looking for work.

Commissioners made no comment when they approved the funding.