As reported by the Maryland Department of Natural Resources, in 2012 Maryland’s GPI (Genuine Progress Indicator) increased 4.5 percent from 2011, representing the largest single year increase since 2005. Over the same period, Maryland’s Gross State Product, a more traditional measure of strictly economic activity, increased 2.2 percent ― the largest single-year increase in this measurement since 2009, the Department described.

The  GPI was developed by experts from several State agencies, the Governor’s Office and the University of Maryland to complement traditional economic measurements, such as the Gross State Product.  As described by the Department,

[The GPI] incorporates 26 factors in three categories – economic, social and environmental – from the cost of crime to the costs of climate change to the value of volunteerism. Costs and values used in calculating the GPI are based on academically reviewed studies.  These numbers are not presented as the ultimate value to society, but rather as a standard against which to measure yearly changes.  Maryland presents the GPI as an educational tool designed to allow the public and policymakers to better balance the true costs and benefits of resource decisions.

For more information, see the full story from the Department of Natural Resources or see this video that explains the indicator, and shows how to modify projections of GPI based on different investments: