Worcester County Receives $150,000 in Funding for Economic Growth and Industry Diversification Strategy

SNOW HILL, Md. – Worcester County received $150,000 in funding to complete a study to better understand potential areas for economic growth through expanding their manufacturing, aerospace, defense, and technology industries.

Melanie Pursel is the Director of the Worcester County Office of Tourism and Economic Development, and explained the economic desire behind the initiative.

“So this study is actually going to take a look at all of those assets and determine, you know, what are some opportunities that we can more strategically go for in attracting development and investment in the south end of the county?” Said Pursel.

The funding for the study comes from a $75,000 grant from the U.S Economic Development Administration, and a $75,000 price match from the Tri-City Council for the Lower Eastern Shore. The project aims to diversify the industries in the county.

“With, Worcester County being so heavily focused in tourism and agriculture, we really wanted to focus on aerospace manufacturing, you know, high tech manufacturing and of course, what’s going on with Hardwire with their defense contract.” Said Pursel.

Pocomoke City was chosen as an ideal site for development due to it’s current 175 acre industrial park, Access to nearby highway systems, and it’s proximity to NASA’s Wallops Flight Facility.

The president of the board of county commissioners, Ted Elder, emphasized the importance in spreading development to the Southern area of the county.

“It doesn’t get the attention that the north end does, and it’s always welcome to get any kind of help we can get to develop down there.” Said Elder.

Once the study, which is predicted to take one to one year and 6 months, is complete, the research will be put into a final report which will then be used to plan for future development.