SBY Chamber of Commerce calling for city’s continued support for downtown growth

SALISBURY, Md. – A letter just in from the Salisbury Chamber of Commerce raising concerns about how the city will move with current area projects.

Many projects are underway and the Chamber of Commerce supporting those businesses, doesn’t want the progress on them to be halted. “The concern from the Chamber is we don’t slow these down or lose momentum,” said CEO and President Bill Chambers.

The Salisbury Area Chamber of Commerce reaching out to the city about moves that could negatively reflect the downtown areas growth. “We’re concerned that the current administration wants to scale back or slow these down. And what we’re urging both the mayor or city council is let’s proceed with the projects that have been approved and are on the books,” Chambers explained.

The Chamber is asking for the city and the Mayor to honor the commitments already slated in the 2017 master plan. Some of those projects include Unity Square and workforce housing. Chamber President Bill Chambers mentioning if the city turns down the funding it could start a negative trend. “Some of these projects have received state money and we want to be sure that there is no jeopardy involved with these state funds. We have two governors, Governor Hogan and Governor Moore, that both believe that the city of Salisbury will become a big economic driver for Maryland. I can tell you, from my experience, if a jurisdiction turns back money, it’s very likely that jurisdiction won’t see state money for a long, long time. No matter how wonderful the project is,” Chambers said.

47 ABC spoke with city council president D’Shawn Doughty who says the city plans to honor the plan currently in place. “For the time being, we have to kind of go with the guidelines of what Salisbury’s plan was. And of course, honor all the commitments and contracts that Salisbury did agree to in previous years. But of course, taking public input and do things in a respectful manner,” Doughty said.

Chambers emphasizes the plan in place will benefit the Salisbury area greatly. “They’re going to generate new income taxes from the folks that live in downtown apartments and condominiums. And it’s going to create jobs in the retail sector as well as a support sectors for these projects, as well as construction jobs,” Chambers emphasized.

Bill Chambers says if the city would like to make changes then they need to update the master plan. D’Shawn Doughty says if the Mayor does make any changes he will have to create a new plan.

To view the letter from the Chamber of Commerce, click here. City Letter 2024.