Business-friendly enterprise zone expanded in Salisbury, re-designated in Berlin

Salisbury Mayor Jake Day announced Wednesday the expansion of Salisbury's enterprise zone to encompass the Salisbury-Ocean City Wicomico County Regional Airport.

Enterprise zones are special areas in the state designated by the Maryland Department of Commerce that are eligible for business tax credits in order to stimulate investments and job growth.

"Connecting Maryland's second busiest commercial airport to Salisbury's rapidly growing business core using this critical Maryland incentive is an important step in facilitating access for new businesses looking to become a part of the Salisbury metro area," Mayor Day said.

City officials report this expansion adds 1,000 acres to Salisbury's current 4,220 acre enterprise zone.

The Salisbury Mayor's Office says they are confident the zone expansion will promote industrial and commercial growth, resulting in new jobs and an increased tax base.

Maryland has 29 enterprise zones that have received an estimated $32 million in 2017 property tax credits, state officials said. The enterprise zones have reportedly made a total of $13.7 billion in capital investments over the last five years.

Berlin city officials also announced Berlin's re-designation as an enterprise zone on Wednesday.

"We hope these incentives will encourage job growth and also promote development on our vacant, underutilized land," Berlin Director of Economic and Community Development Ivy Wells said.

The Berlin enterprise zone boundaries remain the same as they were previously and extend into Worcester County, officials said.