Maryland launches six new pilot programs to streamline permitting
Maryland Gov. Wes Moore on Tuesday announced the launch of six new pilot programs to streamline permitting processing for infrastructure plans, with the aim of bolstering efficiency and productivity in the state.
The first six projects, which stem from a executive order Moore signed last December, cover a variety of state and local infrastructure plans. The Maryland Coordinated Permitting Review Council, a governing body created by the December order, are tasked with streamlining and expediting permitting review for these major projects in order to promote the attraction, retention and growth of businesses and workers across the state.
The announcement from Moore’s office said the pilots were “critical to strengthening the state’s business climate and to bolstering economic competitiveness.” Some of the pilot projects will help to streamline permitting for the redevelopment of a former Naval training center into a mixed-use center, the redevelopment of a data center on a 2,100 acre campus and a mixed-use revitalization of a historic racetrack in Baltimore County into a year-round destination.
In January Moore signed a separate executive order catalyzing a statewide modernization effort and directing agencies to review data to find operational cost savings, streamline operations and eliminate redundancies to better serve taxpayers. Chief Information Officer Katie Savage told StateScoop earlier this summer that the order was the state technology bureau was “looking at everything” to identify ways to increase efficiency.
“We refuse to let red tape stand between our state and a growing economy,” Moore said in the news release. “By streamlining the permitting process, we will help get shovels in the ground faster and supercharge our agenda to create pathways to work, wages, and wealth for all Marylanders. These first six pilot projects reaffirm our commitment to spurring economic growth. And they are only the beginning.”
