PROJECTS IN PERSPECTIVE

WHAT IS THE CEDS?

The CEDS, or Comprehensive Economic Development Strategy, is a road map to understanding the regional economy and serves as a useful guide to local planning and decision making.

It is a comprehensive planning document that acts as a blueprint to the economic development activities of a region and is a requirement for receiving federal infrastructure funds through the Economic Development Administration (EDA) of the US Department of Commerce.

Regional projects are selected by the Tri-County Council for the Lower Eastern Shore of Maryland's Comprehensive Economic Development Strategy Committee (CEDS). Committee members are voting members of the Tri-County Council board, Lower Shore Area Chambers of Commerce, economic development and planning-related county, state and municipal agencies and departments, lower shore institutions of higher education and technical high schools.

REGIONAL PROJECT LISTING

CEDS Goal 1

Healthy Economy

McCready/Peninsula Regional Health System (PRHS) Merger

Transition toward regionalization of healthcare with increased quality of care and services due to greater resources.

Ocean City Convention Center Access Channel

Dredge a navigable channel to the Convention Center Pier Area. Add floating docks and a water taxi terminal at the convention center boardwalk.

Salisbury University Dave and Patsy Rommel Center for Entrepreneurship

Space for 12 resident entrepreneurs, shared co-working space, small offices/garages, maker space, science oriented wet lab, retail display, meeting areas and individual seating throughout the facility for 100 entrepreneurs.

Northern Worcester Athletic Complex

To diversify and capture the growing sports tourism industry, a physical facility is needed. Increase tourism year-round; new employment and community involvement opportunities; additional educational opportunities; develop a park in conjunction with sports complex. Potential for a future indoor recreation facility.

Seasonal Workforce Housing Ocean City

Build and provide housing for seasonal workforce in Ocean City. Initial estimates call for $20 million investment in residence halls at several locations housing up to several thousand J1 and other seasonal workers.

CEDS GOAL 2 COMPETITIVE WORKFORCE

Applied Technology Building - Wor-Wic Community College

A new applied technology center of 52,000 square feet will support credit programs in the college’s occupational education division, with an emphasis on applied and emerging technologies.

Wicomico County Aviation Maintenance Technician (AMT) Training Program

Development of an AMT program and/or enhanced partnership of existing and potential new AMT providers throughout the Lower Eastern Shore Region to strengthen skill sets of existing maintenance technicians and to enhance the pipeline of future aviation technicians.

Somerset County Technical High School

$42 million LEED Gold Status project to provide Somerset County with educational and facilities infrastructure to participate in region-wide instructional program development.

CEDS GOAL 3 INFRASTRUCTURE

Salisbury Port Feasibility Study

To explore feasibility of locating the commercial port to the southwest of the marina to allow for expansion and flow of traffic.

Ocean City - Salisbury - Wicomico Regional Airport & Technology Park

An extension of ISP broadband, service, natural gas, & water/sewer infrastructure to the Salisbury Airport Technology Park

Municipal Water Main Extension Construction of additional air craft hangers Development of fire suppression infrastructure

Natural Gas Pipeline Extension

Extend from Fruitland to Pocomoke City along US Route 13 corridor - Maryland portion of DelMar Energy Pathway Project. Phase I of construction would run from Fruitland in Wicomico to the junction of Route 13 and MD-413 in Somerset. Anchor customers are University of MD Eastern Shore and Eastern Correctional Institution. Additional customers are Princess Anne Industrial Park, Mountaire Farms and CleanBay Renewables LLC in Princess Anne/ Westover.

Continues and heightened pace of broadband expansion throughout the entire region, both with regard to middle mile networks and last mile ISP service.

Smith Island Clean Water Project

Construction of a new Biological Nutrient Removal/Enhanced Nutrient Removal (BNR/ENR) wastewater treatment plant in Ewell and an upgrade to the wastewater collection and conveyance system.

Skipjack 1 Offshore Wind Farm Project

Proposed project would see the construction by Orsted of a 120 MW capacity 26,332 acre offshore wind farm off the coast of Fenwick Island, DE, creating jobs and spurring the economy of the Region.

MarWind Offshore Wind Farm Project

Proposed project would see construction by US Wind of 248 MW capacity, 79,707 acre offshore wind farm off the coast of Ocean City, MD, creating jobs and spurring economic activity in the Region. The project would be located on federal land leased by US Wind and is in line with goals set by the Maryland Offshore Wind Energy Act of 2013 and the Maryland Renewable Portfolio Standard (RPS).

CEDS GOAL 4 VIBRANT COMMUNITIES

Pirates Wharf Park Development

Wicomico County to develop property known as “Pirate’s Wharf”, located on Whitehaven Rd in Quantico, into a regional park. Will feature water access to the Wicomico River via single lane boat ramp and soft launch area for small boats, kayaks and canoes. Will include walking trails, pavilion, comfort station, observation deck, a fishing pier and opportunities for recreational leisure and environmental education programming. One walking trail will be a history trail featuring improved signage and displays.

Connelly Mill Park Development

Wicomico County to develop “Connelly Mill Property” into a regional park. The 234 acre property sits adjacent to the county’s existing main hub for recreation activities and tournaments—the Henry Parker Athletic Complex, as well as the City of Salisbury’s Naylor Mill Forest. Plans include providing new recreation amenities and connecting trail systems to existing Naylor Mill trail system/Parker Athletic Complex.

WICOMICO CIVIC CENTER EXTERIOR PROJECT

$5.5 MILLION EDA AMERICAN RESCUE PLAN GRANT RECIPIENT

The Wicomico Youth and Civic Center will undergo an exterior renovation project of the facility designed to increase public safety & enhance the overall aesthetics of the venue.

The project will be matched with $1.4 million in state and local funds and is expected to create 70 jobs, retain 150 jobs and generate $34.6 million in private investment, according to grantee estimates.

The project will be matched with $250,000 in local funds and will create 10 jobs, retain six jobs and generate $100,000 in private investment, according to grantee estimates.

SMITH ISLAND REVITALIZATION EFFORTS

$1 MILLION EDA AMERICAN RESCUE PLAN GRANT RECIPIENT

Smith Island will begin restoration and resurfacing of the local main road linking tourism sites and the cultural center.

As Maryland’s only seaside community, over eight million visitors flock to Ocean City each year to enjoy a variety of beach, boardwalk and other oceanfront activities.