{"id":13566,"date":"2026-04-21T10:24:14","date_gmt":"2026-04-21T14:24:14","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/news.maryland.gov\/dhcd\/?p=13566"},"modified":"2026-04-21T10:24:17","modified_gmt":"2026-04-21T14:24:17","slug":"governor-moore-launches-delivering-for-maryland-tour-in-st-marys-county-highlighting-three-years-of-progress-and-regional-investment","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/news.maryland.gov\/dhcd\/2026\/04\/21\/governor-moore-launches-delivering-for-maryland-tour-in-st-marys-county-highlighting-three-years-of-progress-and-regional-investment\/","title":{"rendered":"Governor Moore Launches \u201cDelivering for Maryland\u201d Tour in St. Mary\u2019s County, Highlighting Three Years of Progress and Regional Investment"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

ANNAPOLIS, MD \u2014<\/strong> Governor Wes Moore today kicked off his statewide \u201cDelivering for Maryland\u201d tour in St. Mary\u2019s County, beginning a multi-stop tour across Maryland to highlight the progress, and significant state investments secured during the first three years of the Moore-Miller Administration. The tour, which launched in Maryland\u2019s first county, focused on the administration’s commitment to creating economic opportunity and ensuring no one is left behind. Throughout the day, the Governor engaged with veterans, college students, and small business owners\u2014showcasing how strategic state investments are yielding tangible results for communities across Maryland.<\/p>\n

\u201cThe \u2018Delivering for Maryland\u2019 tour is about visiting the communities where our policies are making a real, tangible difference in people\u2019s lives,\u201d said Gov. Moore.<\/b> \u201cWe chose to start here in St. Mary’s because it reflects the grit and the promise of our entire state. From the improved care being provided to our veterans at Charlotte Hall to the historic investments we are making in the next generation of leaders at St. Mary’s College and the revitalization of our main streets, we are showing what happens when we work together to move Maryland forward.\u201d<\/p>\n

\"Governor<\/p>\n

The tour began at the Charlotte Hall Veterans Home, Maryland’s only state-operated veterans facility, where Governor Moore met with residents and joined them for a morning game of bingo. The visit marked a celebration of the facility\u2019s remarkable turnaround under the Moore-Miller Administration, rising from a 1-star to a 4-star overall rating from the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services. The milestone follows the Governor\u2019s decisive action in March 2023 to terminate a decades-long contract with a previous operator following reports of neglect. Since then, an emergency contract with PruittHealth and heightened state oversight have strengthened clinical care and resident outcomes, earning the facility a 5-star staffing rating for its workforce stability and commitment to high-quality care.<\/p>\n

\u201cFederal Team Maryland\u2019s top priority is securing investments that support our communities,\u201d said Senator Chris Van Hollen.<\/strong> \u201cWe\u2019re proud to work together with the governor and local leaders to bring critical funds to St. Mary\u2019s County, including to grow educational opportunity, strengthen local infrastructure, support our veterans, and much more. I\u2019m glad to see these investments at work in St. Mary\u2019s County and will keep fighting to deliver federal dollars to our state.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cTeam Maryland is working together to deliver for our entire state\u2014from federal and state investments to fighting for legislation that lowers the cost of housing, protects our veterans, spurs economic opportunity, and ensures communities in Maryland can remain safe,\u201d said Senator Angela Alsobrooks.<\/strong> \u201cSt. Mary\u2019s County is critical to our national defense\u2014being home to Naval Air Station Patuxent River, as well as being home to top-tier education and thriving communities. I am so glad Governor Moore could launch his \u2018Delivering for Maryland\u2019 tour in St. Mary\u2019s County, and I remain committed to joining him on his promise to deliver for Maryland.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cCharlotte Hall Veterans Home is a critical outpost for veterans\u2019 health care in Southern Maryland,\u201d said Congressman Steny H. Hoyer.<\/strong> \u201cToday, Governor Moore and I witnessed the profound impact of our collective action to deliver on our promise to veterans care. I’ve been proud to work with our state leaders over the years to help Charlotte Hall Veterans Home evolve to meet the changing needs of Fifth District veterans. The Moore-Miller Administration’s leadership in strengthening critical health care services for veterans has made a significant difference at Charlotte Hall and for our veterans across the state. Team Maryland remains committed to ensuring that Marylanders who bravely served our nation in uniform receive the quality of care they deserve.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cCharlotte Hall Veterans Home represents what\u2019s possible when we focus on accountability, quality, and doing right by our veterans. This transformation\u2014from one star to four\u2014is the result of strong partnership, dedicated staff, and a clear commitment to improvement.\u201d said Maryland Department of Veterans and Military Families Secretary Ed Rothstein.<\/strong> \u201cWe are grateful to the Moore\u2013Miller Administration for their leadership and decisive action to ensure Maryland veterans receive the care, dignity, and respect they have earned.\u201d<\/p>\n

\"Governor<\/p>\n

Following his visit with Maryland veterans, Governor Moore traveled south to St. Mary\u2019s College of Maryland for a tour of the historic waterfront campus. As the State\u2019s Public Honors College and as a top-five public liberal arts institution nationally, St. Mary\u2019s College remains a priority for the administration\u2019s higher education strategy.\u00a0<\/p>\n

During the visit, the Governor highlighted a $2 million increase in operational funding provided in the FY 2027 budget<\/a>, bringing the college\u2019s total operating budget to $92.9 million. Additionally, the administration is providing more than $3.2 million in capital funding this year to address infrastructure needs and support the renovation of Montgomery Hall, which will resolve long-standing space deficits for the arts and English departments. The governor concluded his time on campus at the Great Room Dining Hall, where he spoke with students about their priorities and the future of the state.<\/p>\n

\u201cWe are so proud to welcome Governor Moore and his team to St. Mary\u2019s College,\u201d said St. Mary\u2019s College of Maryland President Rhonda Phillips.<\/strong> \u201cIt\u2019s been almost a decade since a Governor visited the state\u2019s public honors college, and we\u2019re grateful for Governor Moore\u2019s dedication to highlighting the progress we\u2019ve made through sustained partnership and state investment in our students, programs, and facilities right here in Maryland\u2019s first capital city.\u201d<\/p>\n

\"Governor<\/p>\n

The tour concluded in Leonardtown, where Governor Moore joined local leaders for a walking tour of the historic downtown. Under the Moore-Miller Administration, the Maryland Department of Housing and Community Development designated Leonardtown as a Main Street Maryland community<\/a> in 2023, and has invested more than $911,000 into the corridor through 13 different grants to support local revitalization.\u00a0<\/p>\n

The governor visited several grant recipients during his tour, including Rucci\u2019s Italian Kitchen & Grille and the historic Rex Theatre, which utilized facade improvement grants to restore its landmark marquis. He also stopped at the Duke Building, a 1920s-era structure recently renovated with support from Project Restore 2.0 and multiple facade grants to preserve its historic character while housing new local businesses like The Social Coffeehouse.<\/p>\n

\u201cLeonardtown is pleased to welcome Governor Wes Moore to our \u2018Most Exceptional Place!\u2019\u201d said Leonardtown Mayor Dan Burris.<\/strong> \u201cA strong partnership with the State of Maryland has been key to continuing our efforts of economic vitality for our downtown. Strengthening our businesses and increasing the quality of life for our residents and visitors is our number one priority. Programs like Main Street and the Fa\u00e7ade Improvement Program for small businesses are important tools in that effort.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cWe\u2019re honored to welcome Governor Moore to St. Mary\u2019s County\u2014the Mother County of Maryland,\u201d said Commissioners of St. Mary’s County President James R. Guy.<\/strong> \u201cStarting this tour here, where our state\u2019s story first began, is fitting, and we appreciate the opportunity to highlight some of the people, places, and partnerships that make our community special.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cWe are grateful for the state\u2019s important support to Rucci\u2019s Italian Kitchen & Grille, these grants allowed us to make crucial improvements that helped elevate the view of our building and have made our business stronger and more successful,\u201d said Rucci\u2019s Italian Kitchen & Grille Owner Mynor Hernandez.<\/strong> \u201cHaving the governor\u2019s visit today confirms his commitment to continued partnership by funding the preservation of our historic main street, his administration is helping to protect the unique character that makes Leonardtown special.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cThese grants were a wonderful investment in our future, allowing us to make crucial improvements that have made our business stronger and more successful,\u201d said New View Fiber Works Owner Misti Dayton.<\/strong> \u201cWe were thrilled to help welcome Governor Moore to New View Fiber Works today, and we’re grateful for his recognition and investment into the town we all love.\u201d<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

ANNAPOLIS, MD \u2014 Governor Wes Moore today kicked off his statewide \u201cDelivering for Maryland\u201d tour in St. Mary\u2019s County, beginning a multi-stop tour across Maryland to highlight the progress, and significant state investments secured during the first three years of the Moore-Miller Administration. The tour, which launched in Maryland\u2019s first county, focused on the administration’s  Read the Rest…<\/a><\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":239,"featured_media":13567,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_acf_changed":false,"_monsterinsights_skip_tracking":false,"_monsterinsights_sitenote_active":false,"_monsterinsights_sitenote_note":"","_monsterinsights_sitenote_category":0,"footnotes":""},"categories":[280,20,33,1],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-13566","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-governor-moore","category-main-street-maryland","category-press-releases","category-uncategorized"],"acf":[],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/news.maryland.gov\/dhcd\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/13566","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/news.maryland.gov\/dhcd\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/news.maryland.gov\/dhcd\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/news.maryland.gov\/dhcd\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/239"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/news.maryland.gov\/dhcd\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=13566"}],"version-history":[{"count":1,"href":"https:\/\/news.maryland.gov\/dhcd\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/13566\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":13568,"href":"https:\/\/news.maryland.gov\/dhcd\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/13566\/revisions\/13568"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/news.maryland.gov\/dhcd\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/13567"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/news.maryland.gov\/dhcd\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=13566"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/news.maryland.gov\/dhcd\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=13566"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/news.maryland.gov\/dhcd\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=13566"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}