Lt. Governor Anthony G. Brown Chairs BRAC Subcabinet Meeting
Subcabinet focuses on issues around Andrews Air Force Base and in Prince George’s County
PRINCE GEORGE’S COUNTY, MD (April 21, 2009) – Today, Lt. Governor Anthony G. Brown presided over the first meeting in 2009 of the Governor’s Subcabinet on Base Realignment and Closure (BRAC). Today’s meeting was the first of five that will be held this year in communities surrounding the five military installations impacted by BRAC. This first meeting was convened at Prince George’s Community College and focused on issues concerning the Andrews Air Force Base community.
“I am pleased to kick off another round of BRAC Subcabinet meetings and I am particularly proud to launch this tour in Prince George’s County,” Lt. Governor Brown said. “Two years ago, we traveled across the state to meet with local leaders about the challenges and opportunities presented by BRAC. This year, we will again travel the state, meeting with the five military installations most impacted by BRAC.”
The 2005 BRAC decision resulted in Maryland’s military bases assuming an expanded and prominent role in the nation’s defense. The BRAC decisions primarily affect five installations in Maryland: Aberdeen Proving Ground in Harford County, Andrews Air Force Base in Prince George’s County, National Naval Medical Center in Bethesda, Ft. Detrick in Frederick and Ft. Meade in Anne Arundel County. In all, BRAC will create as many as 60,000 jobs in Maryland and bring as many as 28,000 new households to the state.
Andrews Air Force Base will gain approximately 3,000 new jobs because of BRAC. Of those new jobs, nearly 2,400 will be added to the Air Force District of Washington and the local Air National Guard will gain 605. By law, all realignments must be completed by September 2011.
BRAC presents Maryland with a unique opportunity, especially during difficult economic times. To fully realize the opportunity presented by BRAC, Maryland has been working in full partnership with local and federal government, the military commands, the private sector and Maryland’s community of higher education to ensure that the state’s workforce is fully prepared to fill the new, highly skilled and good paying jobs coming to the state.
Last year, Lt. Governor Brown and Governor Martin O’Malley passed legislation creating the BRAC Higher Education Fund and in December 2008, Lt. Governor Brown announced that 13 colleges, universities and community colleges won 16 awards to launch BRAC-specific programs. The BRAC Higher Education Fund was reauthorized during the 2009 legislative session and will be funded at $1 million.
As Maryland prepares for BRAC, the Subcabinet remains committed to protecting the State’s SmartGrowth priorities and ensuring that BRAC growth is sustainable. To achieve that goal, Lt. Governor Brown last year led the effort to pass the BRAC Community Enhancement Act which established the State’s authority to designate certain areas near mass transit hubs as BRAC Zones. Last December, Brown announced the first five BRAC Zones, including two in Prince George’s County: an area near Andrews Air Force Base at the Branch Avenue Metro Station an area in the City of Laurel along Route 1 and near the Laurel MARC Station. Applications for the second round of BRAC Zones were accepted earlier this month and designations will be announced in early summer.
Representatives from Prince George’s County and Andrews Air Force Base presented during the meeting and highlighted specific issues facing their communities. Lt. Governor Brown and the Subcabinet are committed to continuing the strong partnership between state and local government and Andrews Air Force Base to ensure that the BRAC transition in Prince George’s County runs as smoothly as possible. Brown acknowledged that because of the national economic downturn there are challenges in funding many BRAC transportation priorities. However, he assured county and installation representatives that he and Governor Martin O’Malley are working closely with Maryland’s federal delegation to ensure Maryland receives its fair share of federal transportation funding for BRAC projects. In addition, Brown noted that all BRAC projects are being fully-funded in the design stage.
The next BRAC Subcabinet meeting will be held next month near Aberdeen Proving Ground.
What's New
- Statement from Lt. Governor Anthony G. Brown Applauding Governor's Office for Children on Work to End Childhood Hunger 11.20.09
- Lt. Governor Brown Announces New Campaign for Veteran Services 11.10.09
- Statement from Lt. Governor Anthony G. Brown on Tragedy at Ft. Hood 11.6.09
- Lt. Governor Brown Honored by Women's Law Center 11.3.09
- Lt. Governor Brown, Sec. Colmers, Hospital Administrators Join to Launch Hospital Hand Hygiene Collaborative 11.3.09
- Lt. Governor Anthony Brown, Maryland Food Bank and KFC Raise Awareness to End Hunger in Maryland 10.20.09