"When my job relocated me to Salisbury from a large metropolitan area I found myself not wanting to be involved in local government or civic activities. I felt that not being from the Eastern Shore that there would not be an opportunity to contribute to this community.


Mark S. Thompson
Director, Salvation Army

GSC Vision For Area

GSC is dedicated to helping make the Mid-Delmarva Peninsula an optimal place to live and to work. Toward the end, we want to help:

  • Develop a cooperative attitude and a personal ownership in our community among the residents and organizations of the area.
  • Encourage the monitoring of the quality of basic areas of our regional community including education, the economy, housing, crime, and health, among others, as well as 10-year projections of anticipated needs.
  • Develop forward-looking planning on a regional basis to see the “big-picture” and to encourage cooperation among the many units of government, the not-for-profits, and the private sector.
  • Encourage research and planning in the areas of present and future workforce needs as well as the planning to provide for those needs.
  • Develop cooperation and open governments in the region in an effort to encourage citizen involvement and to attain peak efficiency.
  • Encourage area civic and governmental leaders to create an optimal future rather than simply providing for meeting of perceived future trends.

GSC 2011-2012 Work Program

  1. Business Concierge for Salisbury and Wicomico County. Bring this project to a successful close early be (a) establishing a philosophy of operation, (b) planning for initial and on-going funding, and (c) establishing a process for monitoring effectiveness and supervision.  
  2. Development of a Downtown Salisbury Vision. Work with all major stakeholders to consider what can be and evaluate the most possible from the business, community, political and financial aspects.  
  3. Metropolitan Water and Sewer Authority. Investigate the feasibility from a physical and engineering view as well as funding for construction and operation, and political viewpoints. 
  4. Adequate School Funding. Determine what is adequate school funding, including the community college, and develop a plan to achieve it, considering other tax demands.



Tom Becker; Mike Abercrombie, Sr.; and Mike Abercrombie, Jr., study the planning documents for improving the North Prong area in Salisbury.

Visioning Reports

(to view the reports, click on the report name)

General reports
   Accomack Wallops Workforce Development Center, 2008
   Community Rhythms (stages of a community)
   Hyett Palma Downtown Vision, Salisbury, 2001
   Reality Check Growth Visioning (Maryland), 2006*
   The Urban River, Salisbury, 1970
   Wicomico County Quarter-Century Report, 1995
   Wicomico County Visioning Report, 2006

Comprehensive and Strategic Plans
Accomack County area
   Accomack County comp plan, 2007
   Accomack County strategic plan, 2008-11
   Chinoteague plan, 2008
   Onancock plan, 2004
Caroline County area
   Caroline County plan, 2005 part A
   Caroline County plan, 2005 part B
   Denton plan, 1997
   Federalsburg plan, 2006
   Goldsboro plan, 2003
   Greensboro plan, 1997
   Hillsboro plan, 1997
Dorchester County area
   Dorchester County plan, 1996 part A
   Dorchester County plan, 1996 part B
   Cambridge plan, 1998*
   Church Creek plan, 2005
   East New Market plan, 2004
   Hurlock plan, 1997
   Secretary plan, 1997
   Vienna plan, 2003
Northampton County area
   Northampton County plan, 2006
   Cape Charles plan, 1999
   Cheriton plan, 1999
   Eastville plan, 2005
Somerset County area 
   Somerset County plan
   Crisfield plan, 2007*
   Princess Anne plan, draft 2008*
Sussex County area
   Sussex County plan, 2008*
   Bethany Beach plan, 2005
   Bethel plan, 2007
   Blades plan, 2002
   Bridgeville plan, 2006
   Dagsboro plan, 2003
   Delmar plan, 2005*
   Dewey Beach plan, 2007
   Ellendale plan, 2004
   Fenwick Island plan, 2007*
   Frankford plan, 2008
   Georgetown plan, 2002
   Greenwood plan, 2007*
   Henlopen Acres plan, 2004
   Laurel plan, 2004*
   Lewes plan, 2005*
   Millsboro plan, 2004*
   Millville plan, 2003
   Ocean View plan, 2004
   Rehoboth Beach plan, 2003
   Seaford plan, 2003
   Selbyville plan, 2002
   South Bethany plan, 2005*
Wicomico County area
   Wicomico County plan, 1998
   Wicomico County water resources plan, 2009
   Fruitland plan, 1998
   Hebron plan, 2006
   Pittsville plan, 1997
   Salisbury Metro Core plan, 1997
   Sharptown plan, draft 2008*
   Willards plan, 2007*
Worcester County area
   Worcester County plan, 2006
   Berlin plan, draft 2008
   Ocean City plan, 2007
   Pocomoke City plan, 2007
   Snow Hill plan, 2004

*indicates abridged plans to quicken download times. For full report, contact the governmental unit.
 



Members of the Civic and Government Leadership class listen to a discussion on civic planning