Great Places Win: Maryland Department of Housing and Community Development Announces $2 Million in Funding to Salisbury University Performing Arts Center
Wicomico County project first in Great Places Win event series touting Fiscal Year 2025 State Revitalization Program projects
SALISBURY, MD (January 13, 2025) – Maryland Department of Housing and Community Development Secretary Jake Day today announced $2 million in State Revitalization Program funding for planning and pre-construction of the Salisbury University Performing Arts Center in Downtown Salisbury. The announcement event was the first in a series of five events across the state touting the department’s historic $129.5 million in Fiscal Year 2025 State Revitalization Program awards.
The project was awarded $1 million in Fiscal Year 2025 Seed Community Development Anchor Institution Funds through the department, with another $1 million committed to be awarded in the Fiscal Year 2026 round.
“The Salisbury University Performing Arts Center will be the new beating heart of art, culture, craft and creativity for the Eastern Shore – right in Downtown Salisbury,” said Maryland Department of Housing and Community Development Secretary Jake Day. “This project, kicked off by the support from the Moore-Miller Administration through our Department, will drive economic development, support tourism, and elevate our community’s access to culture in the region for decades to come. Congratulations to Salisbury University on this important milestone.”
The Salisbury University Performing Arts Center is expected to have a significant annual economic impact on the region thanks to expanded cultural programming from the University and the possibility of professional productions from national and international touring acts. In addition, the venue could help enhance pre-existing events, like the annual Maryland Folk Festival, and would be available for community use.
The center is slated to feature a large auditorium, smaller music and theatre space, dance studio and performance support facilities, as well as classroom space. The center is expected to open by 2030 at the site of the Wicomico Public Library’s current Paul S. Sarbanes branch.
“This grant will allow us to begin work, in earnest, on making this facility the crown jewel of downtown Salisbury,” said Salisbury University President Carolyn Ringer Lepre. “We thank DHCD Secretary Jake Day, Governor Moore and the State of Maryland for continuing to support Salisbury University and our efforts in the community. Even in these challenging economic times, the Moore-Miller Administration continues to invest in SU, higher education and the Eastern Shore.”
The Fiscal Year 2025 State Revitalization Program awards were announced on Dec. 18, awarding a total of $129.5 million to 304 projects in every Maryland county – the largest investment through the program in the Department’s history. $10.4 million was provided to higher education institutions and hospitals through the Seed Community Development Anchor Institution Fund for community development projects in disinvested areas of the state. The funds supported 25 projects, including the Salisbury University Performing Arts Center.
To learn more about the Seed Community Development Anchor Institution Fund, visit our website.