An 8,000 square-foot Unmanned Aircraft System (UAS) flight facility and dozens of new jobs are coming to Wicomico County.

Located at the Salisbury Regional Airport, the facility is under construction and is expected to be completed next year, where it will include a hangar and an office space, which will provide design, testing, and consulting for commercial and military applications. The UAS facility is expected to have 25 high-tech workers and create an additional 29 indirect jobs in the region.

“Our airport is already a huge economic engine and our new drone operations center will add to that impact and further diversify business in Wicomico,” said Wicomico County Executive Bob Culver. “We appreciate Maryland’s partnership and commitment to our effort in growing our airport and economy.”

One of the first companies to operate at the project site is Sentinel Robotic Solutions, an aerospace company based out of Wallops Island, Va. The company has entered a five-year agreement with the Salisbury Regional Airport, where additional businesses are also expected to occupy once the facility is completed.

“The economic impact is tremendous,” said Dawn Veatch, manager of the Salisbury Regional Airport.

“There is a real need for a local, accessible UAS facility on Maryland’s Eastern Shore—for our workforce and businesses alike,” said Maryland Commerce Secretary Kelly M. Schulz.

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