Earlier this week the Worcester County Commissioners approved a loan to Pocomoke and Snow Hill for the purchase of a riverboat.

The county is utilizing $250,000 in federal CARES Act funding and a $100,000 Community Legacy Grant transfer to secure the sale of the Black Eyed Susan, a 149 passenger riverboat. The purchase is an effort to promote tourism in the southern part of the county. The northeastern part of Worcester County is a tourist hot spot with areas such as Ocean City, but the county has engaged in an effort to encourage more activity in the southern portion.

From coverage in the Maryland Coast Dispatch:

“We believe this opportunity checks all the boxes for Snow Hill and Pocomoke,” said Tom Perlozzo, the county’s director of tourism, economic development and recreation and parks. “It’s what I believe to be a great opportunity to take advantage of the Pocomoke River. It’s an asset, it’s an economic draw.”

According to Chief Administrative Officer Harold Higgins, tickets for riverboat rides could range from $40 to $95 a person. Commissioners voted 5-2 to approve a no interest loan to Pocomoke and Snow Hill to acquire the boat.

For more information read the full article, or visit the riverboat’s page.