By Richard Caines

SALISBURY — Airport improvements, educational funding and recent Maryland General Assembly wins were among topics discussed during the State of the County Address on April 11.

Wicomico County Executive Julie Giordano gave her second address since being elected in 2022 – the first woman to ever hold the post in Wicomico’s history. Department heads also provided feedback in the more than one-hour event.

“This last year in office has been one of the most rewarding experiences in my life,” Giordano said. “We’ve learned a lot. We overcame challenges, had new experiences, met new people but most of all we worked every day for the people of Wicomico County and continue to do so.”

Airport Director Tony Rudy said improving and expanding the infrastructure at the airport has been a key focus over the last year.

Rudy said a 1,200-foot runway extension is in the works and they are currently awaiting final environmental permitting for the project. He said groundbreaking on the site is slated for later this spring and it should take a year to complete.

The airport is also planning to install a cell phone tower that will benefit employees and residents who live nearby. A solar farm is in the planning stages that Rudy said will provide $600,000 in savings in energy costs for the airport and $8.5 million in energy costs for the county.

“We know the airport is an economic jewel and we will do everything to support it,” Giordano said.

Citing the importance of education, Giordano said she had received letters from children at Fruitland Primary School who said they needed a new building to learn. She said the upcoming budget that will be presented to County Council on April 16 will include funding for a new facility.

She also noted upcoming funding for Wor-Wic Community College.

Giordano said Wicomico County has been “very” active in Annapolis during the current General Assembly session.

“We testified on two bills, one of which will change Wicomico County starting July 1 forever,” Giordano said.

Under one of the passed bills that is awaiting Wes Moore’s signature, restaurant owners in Wicomico County will be able to purchase spirits from their distributor of choice.

“This is a huge step for our restaurant owners, ending a 90-plus year monopoly on liquor in our county,” Giordano said. “My administration also wrote letters of support in opposition for various bills including those that particularly affected public safety, our first responders and our 2nd Amendment.”
Giordano thanked the citizens during her address for allowing the county to “showcase the amazing people and amazing things that we are doing on a daily basis.”

Reach Managing Editor Richard Caines at rcaines@iniusa.org.