ANNAPOLIS, MD - Governor Wes Moore today visited Salisbury to celebrate the groundbreaking ceremonies for Salisbury University’s Blackwell Hall renovation and Salisbury Regional Airport’s Runway Expansion Program. The Governor's visit to support two of the city's largest economic institutions, reinforces the Moore-Miller Administration’s commitment to supporting rural communities and making Maryland more competitive.

“I’m excited to be back on the Eastern Shore to meet with students from Salisbury University, as well as leaders at the local, state, and federal levels, to celebrate our shared efforts to make Maryland more competitive,” said Gov. Moore. “Together, we will create pipelines to the jobs of the future, grow our economy, and build new pathways to work, wages, and wealth for all Marylanders -- from the Western Mountains to the Eastern Shore."

This morning, the Governor took part in the groundbreaking ceremony for Salisbury University’s  Blackwell Hall renovation. The site will be transformed from a previous campus library into a student union and resource hub, where financial aid, academic advising, admissions, and career services will be housed; along with serving as a campus health, counseling, and disabilities resource center. The building is also expected to be the first facility in the University System of Maryland to be fully compliant with Climate Solutions Now Act building energy performance standards requirements. The Moore-Miller administration has invested $29.9 million into the project and will include more than $35 million in the administration’s planned FY26 and FY27 capital budgets. 

After the groundbreaking ceremony, the Governor was joined by Salisbury University President Dr. Carolyn Lepre to meet with students from Powerful Connections, a primarily first-generation, student-led mentoring organization on Salisbury University’s campus. Last year, the Governor visited the university and met with this same group of students to discuss their future educational goals and job aspirations here in Maryland. 

In the afternoon, the Governor was joined by the Maryland Department of Housing and Community Development Secretary Jake Day, Habitat for Humanity Wicomico County CEO Molly Hilligoss, Salisbury PFLAG Executive Director Mark DeLancey, and local business and community leaders for lunch at Specific Gravity Pizzeria & Beer Joint. During the meal, they discussed ongoing community partnership initiatives in the region and collaborative efforts to support local development. 

The Governor joined Senators Ben Cardin and Chris Van Hollen, Wicomico County Executive Julie Giordano, Salisbury Regional Airport Director Tony Rudy, and regional leaders at the groundbreaking for the Salisbury Regional Airport’s Runway Expansion Program. Funded by federal, state, local, and private sources, the project aims to enhance airline service, create high-paying jobs, and strengthen the aviation sector. The Moore-Miller Administration has allocated $947,676 for runway expansion, terminal upgrades, and airport security. With an additional $581,316 from the Maryland Aviation Administration's FY24 budget and $366,360 from FY25 budget. Federal funding totals to $5.5 million from the Department of Transportation’s Airport Improvement Program. 

The Governor also toured the progress of the Aviation Maintenance Technician school hanger. During the tour, the Governor met with students and staff in the Aviation Sciences program at the University of Maryland Eastern Shore, the state’s only four-year bachelor’s degree program in aviation. On his 100th day in office in 2023, the Governor toured the hangar in its infancy. The Salisbury Regional Airport is the second largest airport in Maryland and serves the public and private sector business travelers as the largest airport on the Delmarva Peninsula.