Good morning, welcome, and thank you. Thank you for taking time from your busy schedules to be an important voice in the work we are doing as a state to prepare for BRAC.
Two years ago, the Base Realignment and Closure Commission’s decisions resulted in our state assuming an even greater responsibility to our country. We’ve taken on an expanded role in our national security and homeland defense. Many challenges come with this greater responsibility… and with these challenges also come more and exciting opportunities for our state.
Our responsibility is enormous and Maryland is prepared for this responsibility. And Maryland’s preparedness is based on the investments that we have made in ourselves over the years. Maryland is ready for the single-largest job creation in our state since the end of the Second World War – s we create as many as 60,000 jobs in our state; as we welcome as many as 28,000 new households…new neighbors, new friends, new Marylanders.
Governor O’Malley, in partnership with the General Assembly, created the BRAC Subcabinet as part of this Administration’s priority agenda in January of this year. For the better part of five months, the Subcabinet traveled the state, we met with local officials and residents in the counties that will experience the greatest BRAC-related growth – we’ve covered a lot of ground. We’ve listened, learned and analyzed the terrain.
And on December 17, we will present a comprehensive BRAC action plan to Gov. O’Malley that lays out a blue print for BRAC.
We recognize what’s on the horizon, what’s in store for Maryland come 2011… we understand our responsibility, and we’re ready. In the coming years, we’ll build on the work that’s already been done – the investments in our physical infrastructure, the investments in our human capital.
We’ll work to protect and improve the enviable quality of life we’ve come to enjoy in Maryland – the schools, the culture, the environment. And we’ll build a trained, skilled, mobile and educated workforce that will fill as many as 70 percent of the jobs coming to our state.
We’re ready because we are a strong state. Our fundamentals are solid:
Because of our strength, our country can be confident in our success. Still, we know that we must continue to work hard and work smart to maintain our readiness. This plan is our playbook for the hard and smart work that lies ahead.
Thank you very much.