County officials this week officially approved the loan allowing Snow Hill to purchase a riverboat, with or without CARES Act funding.
The Worcester County Commissioners on Tuesday voted 5-2 to approve a $400,000 zero-interest loan that will allow Snow Hill to purchase the Black Eyed Susan, a 149-passenger riverboat. Though the commissioners voted two weeks ago to use CARES Act funding to purchase the boat, county staff now say it’s not clear whether the funding can be used for the purchase.
“There is a reluctance for anybody to give us a firm yes or no,” Chief Administrative Officer Harold Higgins said.
Tom Perlozzo, the county’s director of tourism, economic development and recreation and parks, presented the commissioners with plans on how his departments intended to use $250,000 in CARES Act funding designated for the south end of the county on advertising.
“We thought the best opportunity was to move forward with the small interest loan … and use the CARES Act money for what it was designated to do,” Perlozzo said.
Nordstrom said staff had assured the commissioners two weeks ago that the CARES money could be used for the riverboat.
Higgins said it was 50/50 whether the funding could be used for the boat but that the county wouldn’t lose the money because it would use it on advertising if it couldn’t use it for the boat.
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12 comments:
How will pissing $250,000 away affect the water quality in the river?
If this was viable private money would already be at work!
I can't wait to cruise the mighty Pocomoke River,sipping on a mint julip.
What a JOKE! Wait until Worcester County finds out that they illegally spent that CARES funding.
I remember hearing that this boat was owned in part by a County employee. Whom is this part owner and what is the fair market price for a used river boat? There hasn't been any kind of interest study to determine how much revenue this venture will bring in. They should have looked into an annual lease to see if they could make any money. Just look at how much money the Salisbury fire boat cost and how often it is used... A hole in the ground you throw money into.
No matter what is done, there is no hope for slow hill, and especially pokeymokey. The two areas sealed their respective fates by closing. Themselves off to “outsiders” and “comeheres” - I expect this to be just about as effective as the Salisbury fire boat....instead of wishful thinking start a real economic development plan
429...... tattle tale
CARES act funding only applies to COVID related expenses so, kinda wonder how they thought that money would help? That purchase does not qualify.
Anonymous said...
CARES act funding only applies to COVID related expenses so, kinda wonder how they thought that money would help? That purchase does not qualify.
October 10, 2020 at 8:33 PM
That's what 1:34 pm said. Better late than never, I guess.
I guess everyone forgot about the Maryland Lady in Salisbury. That was a failed riverboat that left Salisbury as quick as it could.
If it’s such a good deal let Mr Persleezzo’s tourism department but the boat. Don’t burden Snow Hill. Just research his golf deals that were made for us here in the north end of the county. Thought he’d be done spending other people’s money.
A bigger question, what will the annual cost be on maintenance of the boat, cost to operate it, and how many staff will be hired at $$ rate, to be paid by the taxpayers? Has anyone discovered that other locals, such as charleston, memphis, and new orleans, had any luck with this kind of "economicical" impact? Perlozzo brought OC eagles landing, set the frame work for unfair competition against all of the other privately run golf courses, at a time when golf was popular. Now the entire golf operation is funded by the taxpayers to keep it afloat. Typical public service boob don't understand that the government serves the people, not competes with them. What next, selling steamed crabs from the rec center?
Is your comment 7:12 pm "Highschool" or from the "MOB"🖕
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