They are hunting for $57,281 for the facility in the already tight 2010-11 budget. If those funds aren't found, the building will be closed June 30 as the state trims welcome centers to save money. But if the commissioners can produce the funds, the state government will provide another $50,000 for the coming year.
"That center definitely benefits the whole county," said Commissioner Bobby Cowger.
The Pocomoke City Welcome Center is the second-busiest in Maryland, said Commissioner Linda Busick. The facility was built in 1985 using state money procured by then-delegate Mark Pilchard with a local match, said Shirley Pilchard, his widow.
Since then, the center has pointed tourists often headed to the beach to the museums, businesses and state parks in other parts of Worcester County.
"If nobody is going to tell them, then they are not going to go," Pilchard said. "We are going to take away from small businesses if we go any further with this."
The commissioners agreed it should stay open, but wavered on how often. To receive the state's $50,000, the center must be operational at least three days a week. The county is contemplating keeping it open seven days a week in the summer, four days a week in other seasons.
Commissioner Virgil Shockley asked staff to look at a three-day-a-week, year-round operation.
"I think it's a benefit to tourism, I think it's a benefit to Pocomoke City, and I want to see the numbers," he said.
Pocomoke City Mayor Michael McDermott said the town, which provides water and sewer to the facility, would waive its fees and provide volunteers.
Commissioner Judy Boggs was the only member in opposition to providing the money, arguing that while the center may support tourism, if the county takes it over, the state will never resume the operation.
"I'm just sick and tired of the state forcing us to take over their responsibilities," Boggs said.
In today's paper also was the story about how the state is going to purchase 300+ acres adding to the acreage of the Pocomoke State Forest. It didn't give the purchase price but stated the land was currently owned by the Nature Conservancy. My question is why would the state purchase land already owned by a conservation organization?
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