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We will support resident businesses and industries by helping them in their competitiveness, promote entrepreneurship, and also attract new industry sectors to the region that are compatible with our socio-economic environment.
Short-Term (Present – 2 Years)
- Expand tourism linkages and regional tourism opportunities, including:
- Welcome centers
- Interpretive centers
- Downtown revitalization
- Linkage and marketing of Ocean City attractions with other attractions throughout the region
- Eco- and heritage tourism, including farmland preservation efforts to retain rural character, marketing to retirees, implementation of Lower Shore Heritage Plan
- Sport and commercial fishing
- Engage universities and colleges in regional economic development, e.g., through current activities at Wallops Island
- Pursue Foreign Trade Zone designation
- Carry out a regional industry sector analysis (including agribusiness) to determine additional action items, including business incubation projects
Long Term (3 – 5 Years)
- Pursue a targeted marketing effort to determine how best to “brand” and “sell” the region to potential new businesses and entrepreneurs.
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| Next Step |
Responsible Individual/Organization |
| Expand tourism linkages, marketing, and regional tourism opportunities. |
| Engage Tourism Directors |
Tri-County Council staff |
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| Engage universities and colleges in regional economic development. |
| Support MARS/MIST Projects |
ED Officers; Salisbury University; UMES |
| Support University/airport collaboration |
ED Officers; Salisbury University |
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|
|
| Pursue Foreign Trade Zone Designation. |
| Ongoing |
Tri-County Council staff |
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| Carry out a regional industry sector analysis. |
| Ongoing |
ED Officer, Worcester County |
We will ensure that workers of all ages have access to the education and training needed to succeed in both our existing industries and in the new industries we seek to attract.
Short-Term (Present – 2 Years)
- Investigate a web-based feedback loop whereby employers can be surveyed on their workforce needs and specific skills needs and available jobs can be communicated to 1) potential employees throughout the State and 2) regional education/training institutions, including K-12 and higher education institutions.
- Focus particularly on the impact of GRAYSHORE, e.g., tapping skills of incoming retirees AND ensuring trained workforce to serve needs of elderly population.
- Pursue a health care training initiative.
- Support dual enrollment (whereby high school students take college-level classes for college credit) between high schools and higher education institutions.
- Encourage, expand, and pursue funding for internships, apprenticeships, and co-ops.
- Pursue education/training funds for middle-income population that does not qualify for other assistance.
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| Next Step |
Responsible Individual/Organization |
| Investigate a web-based feedback
loop for identifying workforce needs and opportunities |
| Explore feasibility |
LSWA; BEACON at Salisbury University |
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| Pursue a health care training initiative |
| Ongoing |
Tri-County Council Health Care Committee and staff; LSWA |
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| Support dual enrollment |
| Baseline current extent of dual enrollment with Wor-Wic |
ED Officer, Worcester County; Wor-Wic |
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| Encourage, expand, and pursue funding for interships, apprenticeships, and co-ops |
| Baseline current offerings |
ED Officer, Worcester County; LSWA; Wor-Wic |
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| Pursue education/training funds for middle-income population |
| Explore feasibility |
Wor-Wic; LSWA, Tri-County Council staff |
We will ensure the infrastructure needed for economic diversification and growth, while adhering to guidelines that help limit growth’s negative impact on our environment, quantity of open spaces, and quality of life.
Short-Term (Present – 2 Years)
- Transportation:
Work with MPO and Delmarva Water Transport Cmte to protect transportation infrastructure and support transportation improvements, including:
- Somerset County Chesapeake Ferry
- Salisbury-OC-Wicomico Airport expansion and increase in commercial services
- Port of Salisbury and W. Ocean City Harbor
- Shore Transit
- US113 dualization and US50 service road
- Information infrastructure:
Expand information infrastructure, including linking the region’s universities by advanced telecommunications systems.
- Business Parks:
- Support and expand business parks, including Salisbury-OC-Wicomico Airport Business Center.
- Create more integrated process for designating industrial and commercial space (e.g., involving Comprehensive Planning Depts., making infrastructure investments).
- Water/Wastewater Infrastructure:
- Explore possibility of regional biosolids facility.
- Continue regional education/coordination efforts, e.g., through publication of key indicators.
Action Items: Long-Term (3 - 5 Years)
- Energy Generation: Increase availability of energy (including natural gas, electricity) on E. Shore through exploration of alternative energy sources.
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| Next Step |
Responsible Individual/Organization |
| Transportation |
|
Somerset County Chesapeake Ferry |
ED Officer, Somerset County |
Salisbury-OC-Wicomico Airport |
ED Officer, Wicomico County |
Port of Salisbury and W. OC Harbor |
ED Officer, Wicomico County; ED Officer, Worcester County |
Shore
Transit |
Tri-County
Council staff |
US113
dualization and US50 service road |
ED
Officer, Worcester County |
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|
|
| Information infrastructure |
Ongoing |
ED
Officers; Tri-County Council staff |
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| Business parks |
Ongoing |
ED
Officers; Tri-County Council staff; Comprehensive Planning staff |
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| Water/Wastewater Infrastructure |
Ongoing |
Tri-County Council Water-Sewer Committee and staff
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We will
manage economic development to ensure the protection of our natural
environment and the prevention of sprawl and congestion. We will support and recruit diverse
cultural and recreational opportunities to ensure a high quality of life for
citizens and visitors in the region.
Short-Term (Present – 2 Years)
- Carry out a Quality of Life Assessment, then take necessary steps based on results
- Ensure adequate land use planning
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| Next Step |
Responsible Individual/Organization |
| Carry out a Quality of Life Assessment
|
To be determined |
| Ensure adequate land use planning |
Comp. Plng Staff; County Councils and Commissions |
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