February 9, 2012

Memo Diriker, an economic trend analyst at Salisbury University warns on having a plan to replace the Eastern Shore's signature US$640 million industry if chicken production topples.

With lackluster economic conditions forecast for the months ahead, the local impact of a fallen poultry industry should be obvious, Diriker told an estimated 100 leaders in business and economic development, education, government and medicine gathered to hear what to expect with the economy in 2012.

"We are protecting the environment while protecting our poultry heritage -- they are interconnected," Diriker said. He was referring to firm critics of the industry, environmental watch-keepers among them, who publicly blame a deteriorating Chesapeake Bay on manure runoff from concentrations of chicken waste. "We have a future with a thriving poultry industry, but we must be prepared for a future without a thriving poultry industry. Where do we go from here?"

Local leaders had gathered Thursday for lunch in the sprawling atrium of the new US$55 million Perdue Hall, home to SU's Franklin P. Perdue School of Business -- a backdrop that spoke to the economic impact of Salisbury-based poultry giant, Perdue Farms Inc.

"This was made possible with US$8 million in philanthropy from poultry," Diriker said, reminding the audience of the primary construction donor -- the Arthur W. Perdue Foundation, named for the company's founder.

The Salisbury Area Chamber of Commerce sponsored Thursday's forum and general membership luncheon that issued forecasts for real estate, the workforce and small businesses.