MACo Policy Associate Drew Jabin testified to the Senate Finance Committee in support of SB (CF HB 1455) – Economic Development – Makerspace Initiative Pilot Program. Last week, MACo testified before the House to support the cross-filed House Bill 1455.

This bill creates a grant program to help counties, nonprofits, and other eligible applicants establish or expand makerspaces, which are spaces for community members to design, prototype, and manufacture items using tools that would otherwise be inaccessible or unaffordable such as 3-D printers, digital fabrication machines, and computer-aided design software.

From the MACo Testimony:

The bill could spark economic development and promote diverse and vibrant business communities within our counties. This in turn creates jobs, contributes to enhancing quality of life, and expands the local tax base – enabling counties to better provide core services for Maryland families and businesses.

Follow MACo’s advocacy efforts during the 2020 legislative session on MACo’s Legislative Tracking Database.