The Maryland Department of Commerce, a Granting Partner of the FMA, in partnership with the Maryland Department of Planning and several other state agencies, has been awarded a second federal grant to help guide compatible development of military installations and their surrounding communities. The goal of this effort is to ensure that military activities do not adversely impact the quality of life in their communities and that development in the communities does not encroach on installation activities.
The $1.12 million grant from the U.S. Office of Economic Adjustment is the second phase of the Statewide Joint Land Use Study (JLUS) grant first awarded to Commerce in 2018. The initial funding supported the development of the Statewide Joint Land Use Study Response Implementation Strategy (SJRIS) report. The new funds will support the development of a State of Maryland Military Communities Compatible Use website; a planning coordination guidebook for local communities; and a study to identify and display via publicly available maps for use by potential energy developers, areas where renewable energy projects may or may not be compatible with the missions of Maryland military installations.
“Maryland’s military installations are a great source of economic strength for their communities and for the state as a whole,” said Maryland Commerce Secretary Kelly M. Schulz. “This grant will help make sure that as these installations and communities grow and embrace new technology and development, they will do so together so all stakeholders can benefit.”
“Maryland’s military installations are unique centers of innovation,” said Rob McCord, Maryland Secretary of Maryland Department of Planning. “We are excited about improving our collaboration and coordinating planning efforts so that the installations and the adjacent communities will continue to thrive and support each other for many years to come.”
