Mathews County is exploring the possibility of developing an aquaculture business park and would like to find out what residents think of the idea.

A public meeting to discuss the issues and gather information will be held from 6-8 p.m. Thursday, Feb. 17, at the Mathews Active Lifestyle Center.

The meeting is the first step in applying for a community development block grant and a community improvement grant to help fund a possible future project. The grant funding process is being handled by the Middle Peninsula Planning District Commission under contract from the county.

An aquaculture business park and incubator could provide the community new opportunities for economic development and employment, said Lewis Lawrence of MPPDC. It would offer both in-water operations and on-land facilities for growing oysters.

Under such a plan, the county could lease subaqueous lands, divide those lands into five-acre parcels, and assign the parcels to people interested in using them for o...