Governor Larry Hogan Holds Regional Cabinet Meeting, Tours Howard County

Governor and Cabinet Fan Out Across County for More Than 100 Events

ANNAPOLIS, MD – Governor Larry Hogan today held a cabinet meeting in Howard County at the Charles E. Miller Branch Library and Historical Center in Ellicott City, Md. The governor was joined by Lt. Governor and county resident Boyd Rutherford, who served as emcee for the meeting, as well as Howard County Executive Allan Kittleman, dozens of Maryland cabinet secretaries and directors representing agencies across the state, and state and local officials.

The meeting began with a moment of silence for Baltimore County Executive Kevin Kamenetz, who passed away early this morning.

“The First Lady and I have his family, his wife and two children, in our thoughts and prayers. Anything that we can possibly do personally, or the state government, to assist their family or the people of Baltimore County, we’re going to do that. I ordered the state flags at all facilities lowered to half-staff in honor of him and his more than two decades of service to the people of Baltimore County,” said the governor.

This day of meetings and visits brings together elected officials, senior county leadership, local business owners, and public service personnel to discuss county specific issues and ensure direct engagement and communication with Howard County constituents.

“Everyone in our administration understands the incredible assets that we have here in Howard County and we are all very excited to be visiting more than 100 businesses here today,” said Governor Hogan. “We have made it a priority to ensure that Howard County knows they have a voice in Annapolis, a seat at the table, and an administration that is working and fighting on their behalf each and every day.”

One of the Hogan administration’s top priorities has been encouraging economic development and job creation, fostering an economic resurgence across the state. More than 2,500 new jobs have been created in Howard County alone, and the governor recently participated in the groundbreaking for the Merriweather District development in Columbia, Md., which will soon be home to over 500 new high-paying cyber-tech jobs at cutting-edge companies like Tenable Network Security and SparkPost. Health-conscious food delivery service Freshly is also slated to open a distribution center in Savage, Md. and plans to add 500 new jobs by the end of 2018.

The Hogan administration is fully committed to Howard County’s continued economic growth, community success, and leadership in the cyber technology industry, providing over $1.35 billion in local aid since taking office.

The state’s support of Howard County also includes more than $283 million in Maryland’s consolidated transportation plan, with $110 million going toward capacity and safety improvements along Route 32. The Hogan administration has also allocated funding for $10 million in renovations to the nursing and science technology buildings at Howard Community College, as well as $2 million for capital improvements at Long Reach High School and $1.9 million for Harper’s Choice Middle School. A new cultural arts center in downtown Columbia has also received funding, enabling redevelopment opportunities for a significant public-private endeavor.

“Our team is committed to working together with legislators, elected officials, and community leaders here in Howard County and across our great state as we change Maryland for the better,” said the governor.