SALISBURY, Md. - The city of Salisbury is hoping to cash in on it's waterfront property.
The city wants to build a new port on the Wicomico River. Salisbury is home to the second largest port in Maryland.
City Council President Jack Heath says a port expansion can "open up the area [downtown Salisbury] for development. Which is a positive thing. It creates new jobs. Which is another positive. One of the biggest impacts is it will raise the wage in Wicomico County."
The city council approved a $7,000 contribution for a feasibility study into a port expansion. The bid was awarded to cPCS Transcom Inc.
It seems like a good idea on paper, but does the Wicomico River have enough room for another port? Heath says he would like the "experts" to answer that question. He also says that is part of the feasibility study.
"There are [other] things that you really don't think about. Channel depth. The depth of the channel. The removal of silt to maintain the channel. All of those things have to be considered when you look at the total project," Heath mentions.
Heath says a new port could put Salisbury at the forefront of offshore wind projects as the city could be a possible distribution center for parts. It could also allow for goods such as feed to be transported by barge rather than truck; which may reduce greenhouse gas emissions.
Councilwoman Michele Gregory is hopeful the study comes back with a 'green light'.
"Let's see what this study says and we'll go from there. There is huge potential. I don't think we want to waste any of it. We want to take advantage of all there is there and we'll see what the study says is possible," Gregory says.
The city expects the study to be complete by June. Council President Heath says the study will also determine the potential cost of the entire project. Salisbury plans to apply for grants and other sources of funding if given the go-ahead-nod.
