ANNAPOLIS, Md. — Governor Wes Moore today signed executive orders to strengthen Maryland’s business climate and foster further economic growth in the state. The Governor signed the order during a visit to the Frederick Hotel and Conference Center project site in Frederick. The project will generate $1.5 billion in new private sector spending, more than 200 jobs, and more than $4 million in state and local tax revenue annually over the next 25 years.
“With this executive order and working with the Legislature in the upcoming session, Maryland has an opportunity to reverse the downward trajectory our state’s economy has experienced over the past several years,” said Governor Moore. “For Maryland to thrive in this decade, we must clearly recognize obstacles to growth, develop strategies that deliver short- and long-term sustainable success, and help attract businesses and talent to grow and migrate.” We need to create the necessary environment for our state. ”
“This executive order provides a clear roadmap to make Maryland’s economy more competitive, strong, and fair,” said Maryland Department of Commerce Secretary Kevin Anderson. said. “We have established key industries and sectors where we believe have the best potential for growth and success, and identified new steps the Department of Commerce can take to help revitalize the state’s economy. We look forward to working with the Governor and our partners in the General Assembly to make this Maryland Decade. ”
The Moore-Miller Administration invested $7.5 million in the fiscal year 2025 capital budget to support the Frederick Hotel and Conference Center project.
“The Downtown Frederick Hotel and Conference Center is a great opportunity for the city of Frederick, Frederick County and the entire state of Maryland,” said Frederick Mayor Michael O’Connor. “In addition to construction jobs, this project will bring more than 200 good, permanent jobs to our community, transform our downtown, and boost the local economy by attracting visitors and events that showcase what Frederick is all about.” This project is a gold standard for how public-private partnerships can drive economic growth, and we are excited to see this long-awaited vision finally become a reality. .”
The Executive Order includes: Establishment of the Governor’s Office of Business Promotion. The order creates a new division within the Department of Commerce, known as the Governor’s Office of Business Advancement, to provide concierge, high-touch services to businesses looking to relocate or expand in Maryland. The office provides a wide range of services, from meeting state permitting requirements to troubleshooting issues with state authorities to identifying financial incentives to close deals. All executive agencies are required to identify points of contact with whom their secretariat should work to support their work. Establishment of the Maryland Coordinating Permit Review Council. This order establishes the Maryland Coordinating Permit Review Council. The council mirrors the highly successful federal FAS T-41 permitting council, which seeks to streamline the permitting process for major projects by bringing together relevant agencies with permitting or environmental review roles. I am. In the case of Maryland, affiliated agencies that may play a role in a covered project are permanent members of the council, along with affiliated local government agencies that are likely to play a role at the local level. The executive order also puts the Maryland Coordinating Permit Review Council under the jurisdiction of the Department of Planning and defines eligible projects that involve infrastructure construction and require environmental review and permitting. The Ministry of Planning is required by presidential decree to establish the council by July 1, 2025. Establishing a certified site program. The order directs the Maryland Economic Development Corporation to establish a certified site program that works with state, local, and private partners to develop the infrastructure to create operational investment and business hubs in the state. is required to be established. The purpose of this program is to identify commercial and industrial sites that provide significant economic development value. Invest to prepare identified sites for impactful, sustainable and equitable expansion, investment and attraction opportunities. We also identify market-ready locations across the state and country to ensure Maryland is the best place to invest, locate and grow your business. Establishment of the Governor’s Economic Competitiveness Sub-Cabinet. This order creates a new sub-cabinet that includes all agencies of the executive branch of state government that affect Maryland’s economic development. Chaired by the Secretary of Commerce, the sub-cabinet is required to advise the governor on policy and regulatory recommendations, interagency strategies, track performance indicators, and develop the state’s biannual integrated economic growth strategy. . Establishment of the Government Loan Executive Program in the Department of Commerce. This order establishes the Government Finance Executive Program, which temporarily appoints private sector executives to the Department of Commerce to foster a culture of innovation and excellence and bring private sector best practices to the Department. This will strengthen collaboration between government and the private sector. effectively carry out its mission and goals; Directs a whole-of-government approach to supporting priority industries and sectors. The order identifies life sciences, information technology, aerospace, and defense as lighthouse industries and sectors identified by the Department of Commerce. It also includes emerging subsectors such as computational biology, quantum technologies, and location, navigation, and timing. This section directs state agencies to leverage existing resources to support the growth and success of these targeted industries and sectors. Directs the Department of Commerce to coordinate economic development, marketing, and branding efforts with local governments. The order directs the Department of Commerce to develop strategies to work with local governments to establish formal economic development, marketing, and branding campaign plans to promote industries and sectors. Direct a comprehensive review of business tax credits, financial aid, and incentive programs. The order requires agency members of the Governor’s Economic Competitiveness Sub-Cabinet to develop methodologies and return on investment analyzes for business tax credits, business assistance, and business incentive programs. Direct evaluation and review of specific business licensing programs. The order evaluates and reviews two important “front door” business licensing processes for doing business in Maryland: the State Department of Assessment and Taxation’s Charter Business Services and the Maryland Department of Transportation’s Minority Business Enterprise Certification Program. being sought after. Both licensing and certification processes are recognized as pain points by the business community and impact the state’s business environment. The order requires both departments to review business processes related to the certification process and identify recommendations, including the potential for automation of certain process flows, to promote efficiency. Governor Moore is pursuing ambitious policies to increase economic upward momentum under the Moore-Miller Administration. An economic growth agenda, including the executive order he signed today. Since the Moore-Miller Administration took office in January 2023, more than 60,000 jobs have been created in the state and more than $4 billion in private investment has been generated to support various economic development projects in the state. It is.
The Governor is also working with the General Assembly to implement legislation, including the Critical Infrastructure Rationalization Act and the Transparency Act, designed to improve Maryland’s business environment, enhance competitive advantage in key industries and sectors, and strengthen the talent ecosystem. succeeded in enacting the bill. Government Act, the Housing Expansion and Affordability Act, and the Pava Laperre Innovation Heritage Act.
The full text of the Executive Order can be found here.
