FY 26 Approved Operating Budget

Harford County Department of Economic Development FY 2026 Performance Measure Report

Fiscal Responsibility - As a cornerstone of our county’s success, we will govern within our means to support our communities and expand economic opportunity. Reliable Infrastructure - Develop and deliver resilient, high-quality public services through projects and infrastructure that provide long-term economic, social, and environmental benefits. Vision: Harford County Government serves with the highest level of professionalism, collaboration, and innovation in public service. Mission: To govern with exceptional integrity, competence, transparency, and fiscal responsibility, to improve the quality of life for all Harford citizens. Alignment to Countywide Strategic Goals Effective Governance - Ensure Harford County Government functions efficiently, ethically, and for the benefit of its citizens. Emergency Response & Public Safety - Maintain public safety by funding and fostering collaboration among various agencies and stakeholders in emergency response and improve readiness and response through training, planning, and resource allocation. Education & Community Support - Aim to provide high-quality learning and experiences that foster the intellectual, social, physical, and emotional development of the community. Economic Prosperity - Enhance economic prosperity and security for individuals in Harford County.

Performance Measures

Actual FY 24 Actual FY 25 To-Date

Estimate FY 26

Change

1 - Industrial vacancy rate

5.7% 9.2%

7.2%

2 - Office vacancy rate

13.0% 12.9%

12.7%

3 - Retail vacancy rate 4 - Harford County unemployment rate 5 - Harford County average weekly wage 6 - Reduce vacancy rate along Southern Harford Route 40 corridor 7 - Increase hotel tax revenue by 5%

5.0% 5.1%

5.0%

2.3% 2.7%

3.0%

$1,331 $1,359

$1,387

15.0% 15.0%

13.0%

$2.70M $2.80M^

$2.9M

8- Increase Corp. tax/Bus. Personal Prop. Tax revenue

$17M / $253K $17M / $297K $17M / $305K N/A 21M*/20K 51M/50k N/A 13** 40%

9 - Hello Harford's regional campaign metrics- impressions/website users 10 - Tourism stakeholder utilization of Hello Harford's tech applications/platforms for strategic marketing

Performance Measure 1, 2, 3: Industrial/Office/Retail vacancy rates ABOUT THIS MEASURE:

Harford County is the in mid-Atlantic region with trucking reaching 40% of US commerce in overnight drive, desirable infrastructure (roads, rail &

WHAT IS BEING DONE AND WHY IT IS IMPORTANT TO TRACK:

Moving excess available square footage results in job creation, increased tax revenue. It is the goal of Economic Development to reduce the

FACTORS CONTRIBUTING TO CURRENT PERFORMANCE:

Singular massive sq ft unleased facility inventory drives higher percentage vacancy rate; cautionary economic climate post-Covid; warehousing

Performance Measure 4: Harford County Unemployment Rate

110