When asked what makes the town of Smithsburg so special, Mayor Donald Souders says it is “our community pride, bleeding the purple and gold.”
Over the past 20 years, tragedy has unfortunately made its way into Smithsburg history. In 2007, a Smithsburg police officer, Christopher Nicholoson, was killed in the line of duty and fifteen years later, a local workplace shooting resulted in the deaths of Mark Alan Frey, Charles Edward Minnick Jr., and Joshua Robert Wallace.
Amidst the tragedies, Smithsburg has found ways to rally together and build itself back up. Founded in 1813, the town is often characterized by rolling hills, open space, rich agritourism, and mid-19th to early 20th-century architectural character.
Mayor Souders was elected as Mayor in 2022 and will continue to serve until 2026. As his administration comes to a close, he hopes that Smithsburg will “continue to foster and partner with our businesses, our civic organizations, and create momentum for people who would want to come, live, and enjoy Smithsburg.”

During his term, Mayor Souders has worked closely with the Economic Development Commission, which is an advisory body with the purpose of fostering an economic environment that attracts and retains businesses, promotes job creation, and supports a growing tax base.
Two years ago, the EDC morphed into more of a promotion commission. According to Souders, the commission has worked diligently to help the town.
To create an environment that attracts and retains businesses, the EDC has primarily focused on creating round tables with community business leaders. “What do we need to address to make it easier for them to stay in business,” says Souders, “and what would make Smithsburg more attractive to someone else that would want to maybe open a business in Smithsburg?”
In 2024, the EDC launched an event series called the Third in the ‘Burg. The series works to promote the town to a wider region and encourage foot traffic downtown. From May to October, the events are held on the third Saturday of each month. This year, the events have included the Music & Arts Tapestry Festival, Celebrate the ‘BURG, and the Smithsburg Car Show. For more information on upcoming events, Mayor Souders suggests checking out: VisitSmithsburg.com/Third-/In-Smithsburg.
In regards to how to get involved with Smithsburg town decisions, Mayor Souders says the best ways are “volunteering for a committee, showing up to meetings, and reaching out to your elected officials when you have questions or concerns to raise.” The Mayor and Town Council hold meetings the first Tuesday of every month at the Town Hall’s Council Chambers on the first floor. If you are unable to attend, the meetings are live-broadcast on Facebook.

A community with pride; Smithsburg is led by people who believe in the magic of the town’s legacy. Mayor Souders aims to show his appreciation for everyone by actively participating in the community. For more information on Mayor Souders and the town of Smithsburg, you can follow his Facebook at Facebook.com/WTogether21783.