Domestic and international firms flourish on Maryland's Eastern Shore. Telecommunications, health care, environmental sciences, and engineering services are among the fastest growing industries here. For hundreds of years the wide fertile fields and bountiful waters of the Chesapeake defined the local economy. While they remain integral to the employment outlook, the local economy is diversifying. The Shore offers proximity to the federal government and major East Coast financial and retail centers. A solid telecommunications and transportation infrastructure make the area a perfect choice for businesses looking to lower costs while maintaining a superior quality of life. Increasingly, nationally and internationally known businesses choose the Eastern Shore for their headquarters or plant site.

Over 11,200 businesses employ 140,200 workers: 135 of these firms employ 100 or more workers. The manufacturing sector comprises 16.4% of the area employment. Industry leaders with facilities here include:

International firms include: