Governor Moore signs an executive order to position Maryland as an economic powerhouse by streamlining development, growing public-private partnerships, and championing statewide growth.
Governor Wes Moore recently signed an executive order to enhance Maryland’s economic competitiveness and business climate. The signing occurred at the Frederick Hotel and Conference Center project site, a public-private initiative projected to generate $1.5 billion in private spending, 200 jobs, and $4 million in annual tax revenue.
The details of the Order were first announced by Governor Moore at MACo’s Winter Conference on December 12. The Order includes key initiatives such as:
- Governor’s Economic Competitiveness Subcabinet
- A business concierge office
- Site readiness program to produce more shovel-ready sites for development
- A council to promote interagency coordination on permitting applications
- An all-of-government approach to economic development by bolstering partnerships and coordination with local governments.
The Order establishes the Maryland Coordinated Permitting Review Council, which shall be established by July 1, 2025. It will include two county representatives appointed by the Governor from a rural and urban county. The goal of the Council is to “streamline permitting processes for major projects by bringing together the relevant agencies who have a permitting or environmental review role for that project.”
From the Executive Order:
“D. Maryland Coordinated Permitting Review Council.
2. Purpose. The purpose of the Council is to facilitate interagency coordination and efficient processing of approvals required to advance priority infrastructure and place-based projects within the State to bolster transparency, ensure predictability, and foster interagency coordination to grow Maryland’s economy while safeguarding the health and safety of residents.
The activity of the permitting working group shall include:
i. developing a coordinated project plan for each covered project;
ii. developing timetables for completion of required plan reviews and responses, and permit approvals for Projects;
iii. providing accountability and oversight of the execution of each coordinated project plan and timetable; and
iv. when applicable, engaging federal and local government agencies that have jurisdiction over critical areas of review and permit approvals identified in the project plan for covered projects.”
This Executive Order
✅Streamlines the permitting process
✅Kicks off an all-of-government strategy for prioritizing the sectors of our economy that Maryland stands to win
✅Improves coordination with local governments & builds strong partnerships with private sector leaders pic.twitter.com/5IcEQ8XOd6
— Governor Wes Moore (@GovWesMoore) December 19, 2024
Background and Summary of the Order.
Stay tuned to the Conduit Street for more information.
