Statement from Lt. Governor Anthony G. Brown Applauding 'Team Maryland's' Strength to Secure Federal Funding for BRAC Intersection Projects
ANNAPOLIS, Md. (December 15, 2009) – Lt. Governor Anthony G. Brown released the following statement today congratulating U.S. Sen. Barbara Mikulski and the entire Maryland Congressional Delegation on their shared efforts to pass the Transportation, Housing and Urban Development (THUD) Appropriations bill which includes funding for intersection improvements at four Maryland military installations:
“I applaud Sen. Mikulski and the rest of Team Maryland for standing strong and fighting to ensure the Federal Government gives Maryland all the tools we need to defend the nation’s security and make sure BRAC is successful. During this global economic recession, Governor O’Malley and I, as well as the members of Team Maryland, are focused on three priorities: Jobs. Jobs. Jobs. And in Maryland, BRAC means jobs – highly skilled jobs; high paying jobs; and jobs that will stay in Maryland for years to come.
“The funding in the THUD Appropriations bill, which is on its way to President Obama’s desk, goes a long way to keep Maryland’s BRAC preparations on course and will keep Marylanders moving on our roads near our installations. As the chair of the Governor’s BRAC Subcabinet, I sincerely thank Sen. Mikulski and all of Team Maryland for their work and their continued partnership that has put Maryland in a position to survive this recession and thrive for years to come.”
The bill includes funding for intersections at the following military installations:
- Fort George G. Meade in Anne Arundel County - $2.75 million
- Aberdeen Proving Ground in Harford County -$2.8 million
- National Naval Medical Center in Montgomery County - $4.4 million
- Andrews Air Force Base in Prince George’s County -$2.49 million
BRAC will create as many as 60,000 new jobs in Maryland over the next several years. In 2007, Governor Martin O’Malley and the Maryland General Assembly created the Subcabinet on Base Realignment and Closure. The Subcabinet, comprised of 10 Cabinet secretaries from agencies most directly assisting with BRAC efforts, is chaired by Lt. Governor Brown.
The BRAC Subcabinet will release the 2009 BRAC Progress Report later this month, providing matrices and documentation based on the action items detailed in the BRAC Action Plan that was presented to Governor O’Malley in 2007. Throughout 2009, Lt. Governor Brown presided over a series of five Subcabinet meetings that were held throughout the state to discuss BRAC progress and issues facing affected communities. Last week, Governor O’Malley announced the state’s investment of $42.6 million to make a key interchange improvement at Aberdeen Proving Ground, which will alleviate road congestion following the influx of thousands of families expected to be moving to and commuting in Harford County due to BRAC.
Earlier today, Lt. Governor Brown announced the recipients of the 2010 Base Realignment and Closure (BRAC) Higher Education Fund grants. In a press release, he revealed the 12 grants awarded to 11 two- and four-year colleges and universities across the state. The grants, which range in size from $44,000 to $93,000, and made available through legislation passed by the Maryland General Assembly in 2008, will be used to develop new programs addressing BRAC-related workforce needs or to expand upon existing related programs at the recipient schools next year.
