ANNAPOLIS, MD (August 6, 2007) – Lt. Governor Anthony G. Brown today convened the first local government subcommittee of the Governor’s Subcabinet on Base Realignment and Closure (BRAC). The meeting brought municipal, county and state leaders together to discuss the strategies and needs of local government as Maryland moves forward in drafting a comprehensive, statewide action plan for BRAC-related growth and opportunity.
“We understand what is coming to Maryland and we are ready. A major component of that readiness is our ability to work across party lines, to work past municipal and regional borders, and to work against the tide of local competition; all toward a common goal for One Maryland,” Lt. Governor Brown said during his opening remarks. “That goal cannot be anything short of unbridled success.”
Maryland expects to gain as many as 60,000 direct and indirect jobs and is preparing for the arrival of up to 28,000 new households because of BRAC-related activity. To coordinate the efforts at a regional and statewide level, Governor O’Malley, on his first day in office, asked the General Assembly to create the BRAC Subcabinet which is chaired by Lt. Governor Brown.
“The BRAC benefits are going to be felt across the state,” said Frederick County Commissioner President Jan Gardner. “County leaders in every jurisdiction understand the need to work in collaboration and coordination with our neighbors and the State. I applaud Lt. Governor Brown’s leadership in bringing us to the table today and look forward to working closely with other county and municipal leaders to ensure our One Maryland is absolutely prepared for the arrival of new jobs and new Marylanders.”
During today’s local government subcommittee meeting, Lt. Governor Brown called upon the local, municipal and county leaders to review each others’ local action plans, to help the State identify redundancies and gaps in those plans, and to tell State officials how the various departments and agencies can best assist their communities as Maryland prepares for BRAC.
“The City of Laurel with its central Maryland location is at the crossroads of most Maryland BRAC locations and is the closest municipality to Ft. Meade where approximately 22,000 new positions are anticipated,” said Laurel Mayor Craig Moe. “I am pleased to see that Governor O'Malley recognizes the impact BRAC will have on all levels of government and has taken the lead to work with us on our projected needs. The resources Governor O'Malley is using for central coordination and shared resources will make the task before us easier to accomplish and the transition for Maryland's military bases a smoother one.