SWED Ag Grant Fund
The SWED Ag Grant Fund is capitalized through a partnership between Wicomico County, PNC Bank and the Maryland Agricultural & Resource Based Industry Development Corporation (MARBIDCO) through MARBIDCO’s Local Government Agriculture & Resource Based Industry Project Cost Share Program.
The goal of the program is to help foster growth in Wicomico’s emerging agriculture and resource-based industries. General terms and conditions include:
- For profit existing and emerging agricultural and resource-based businesses headquartered and located in Wicomico County, Maryland
- Business must be registered and in Good Standing with State of Maryland and Wicomico County
- Any project co-funded by SWED and MARBICO should assist in some fashion Wicomico County’s farming, forestry or seafood industries (including agritourism businesses); Businesses that facilitate in the production of foodstuffs or other goods that grow in the soil or water, the packaging, processing, or marketing of such products are generally also eligible
- The applicant is required to make a financial contribution to the project of at least 50% of project cost
- All applications must be submitted by SWED to MARBIDCO. Final approval is at the sole discretion of SWED and MARBIDCO.
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YEAR IN REVIEW Aviation Maintenance Technician School at SBY Our collective FAA Part 147 Certified Aviation Maintenance Technician school at SBY officially opened its doors. Operated by the University of Maryland Eastern Shore, the school will offer students the opportunity to attain Airframe and Power Plant (A&P) certification, a highly valued credential in the aviation industry. Teaming with the State Maryland, Wicomico County and Piedmont Airlines, the 12-month program will create a pipeline of mechanics for the aviation industry, offer great jobs and enhance the aviation and aeronautics sector for our region for years to come. Site Readiness SWED began the process of developing five ‘Shovel-Ready’ sites this past year. Two of the sites are located in Westwood Commerce Park with planned industrial buildings of 200,000 sf each. Three sites are located on the grounds of the Salisbury-Ocean City: Wicomico Regional Airport. The process of addressing permitting requirements upfront can mitigate the time to construction by eliminating the twelve to eighteen months of the site approval process. Ultimately, this allows us to better compete for large-scale economic development projects.
SWED hosted Maryland Department of Agriculture Secretary Kevin Atticks recently as he and his team visited Wicomico County. Dani Winters, principal of Winters Farm Florals began the day with a tour of her fresh cut flower business in Hebron. A Roundtable discussion followed at Green Hill and we finished the day with pie and ice cream (plus meaningful conversation) at Wright’s Market in Mardela Springs. The event provided the opportunity for collaboration and dialogue among Wicomico’s Ag Community and the State Department of Agriculture.
Salisbury-Wicomico Economic Development (SWED) has engaged BEACON at Salisbury University to conduct an economic impact study of the Port of Salisbury on our region's economy. Among other data sets, the analysis will include the value of shipments, jobs related to the port and the estimated efficiencies water commerce provides versus alternative transportation methods. The study will include the direct, indirect and induced economic impact of the port. SWED's Executive Director David Ryan said 'I think most people understand the importance and value of waterborne commerce to our economy as a whole and our supply chain specifically. This study will quantify that value and highlight the critical role the port plays in our economy'. The report is expected to be complete in early fall, 2025.
