News

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.

HopFlyt is dedicated to developing and commercializing next generation Electric Vertical Takeoff and Landing aircraft and has located to the Salisbury-Ocean City: Wicomico County Regional Airport’s (SBY) Unmanned Autonomous Innovation Center. The center is a new and purpose built facility designed as a hub to accelerate commercial UAS adoption in this unique geographical environment. HopFlyt will continue to development and test their electric and hybrid-electric VTOL aircraft product line.

The University of Maryland Eastern Shore (UMES) recently received its FAA Part 147 Certification to operate an Aviation Maintenance Technician school at the Salisbury-Ocean City: Wicomico Regional Airport (SBY). Students completing the 1900 hour, one-year program will receive a Certificate and be eligible to sit for both an Airframe and Powerplant certification test. Passing these tests grants the student A&P Mechanic certification, a highly sought after and valued recognition in the aviation industry. Credits accumulated through the program can be transferred toward a four-year degree at UMES at the option of the student. While some training is specific to the aviation sector, much of the training (hydraulics, electronics, etc.) is applicable to multiple economic sectors. Students therefore are not limited to the aviation or aeronautical sectors for meaningful careers. The program will begin with a maximum cohort of twenty-five students. SWED was proud to lead the effort for the program and recognizes success could not have occurred without many partners including Wicomico County, the State of Maryland, UMES, Piedmont Airlines and the Tri-County Council. The program will begin in January, 2025. For more information, please visit: https://wwwcp.umes.edu/amt/

Approximately one hundred members and guests attended SWED's 56th Annual Meeting recently at Green Hill Yacht and Country Club. The meeting featured a year in review by David Ryan and a keynote presentation by Tom Barkin, President and CEO of the Federal Reserve Bank of Richmond and a voting member of the Federal Open Market Committee. A special thank you to all of our sponsors! First Shore Federal Savings & Loan Wicomico County, Maryland BBSI Piedmont Airlines Delmarva Veteran Builders Trinity Sterile Hebron Savings Bank City of Salisbury, MD Perdue School of Business Pohanka of Salisbury Saltwater Storage GMB Architects & Engineers Maryland Department of Commerce TidalHealth SVN Miller Commercial Real Estate LINKBANK Avery Hall PKS & Company P.A. Salisbury Area Chamber of Commerce

Wor-Wic Community College recently hosted SWED’s Manufacturing Roundtable at the recently completed Guerrieri Technology Center. Discussion centered around AI, data driven metrics in manufacturing and workforce development. After the Roundtable, the group toured the many aspects of the technology center. SWED’s Manufacturing Roundtable is designed to encourage collaboration, learning and advocacy among manufacturers and community partners.

St. John Properties recently acquired a sixteen acre site in Salisbury's Westwood Commerce Park.  More than 107,000 sf of speculative construction of flex and R&D space is anticipated over the next year. Westwood Commerce Park serves as a gateway into Salisbury and a launching point for future development activities in Wicomico County. Founded in 1971, St. John Properties is one of the nation's largest and most successful privately held real estate firms.

YEAR IN REVIEW As of this writing, we are midway through FAA Certification of our Part 147 Aviation Maintenance Technician school at the Salisbury-Ocean City: Wicomico Regional Airport. To help fill the need for more mechanics and fill existing job openings, SWED and our partners are establishing the program funded through the Rural Maryland Economic Development Fund. The anticipated start date is January 2025 for an initial cohort of 25 students. Teaming with the University of Maryland Eastern Shore (UMES), the State Maryland, Wicomico County and Piedmont Airlines, the 12-month Aviation Maintenance Technician initiative will create a pipeline of mechanics and enhance the aviation and aeronautics sector for our region. SWED is further enhancing commerce at SBY through the development of a strategic plan and shovel-ready sites. The strategic plan seeks to capitalize on the school for new development opportunities while shovel-ready sites will allow for faster construction cycles, leading to more jobs and commerce at the airport. With a regional airline headquartered at SBY along with UMES’ aviation science degree, pilot training and aviation mechanic programs, it’s a robust offering unparalleled anywhere in the nation.

AMT - On behalf of Wicomico County, SWED applied for and received a $3.298 million grant from the Rural Maryland Economic Development Fund to establish an Aviation Maintenance Technician program at the Salisbury-Ocean City: Wicomico Regional Airport (SBY).