In its role on the Commerce Subcabinet’s Regional Resources Workgroup, the Maryland Department of Planning (MDP) collaborates across state agencies to advance economic and community development in the state. The Maryland Department of Labor (Labor) is a prominent workgroup partner, contributing workforce development expertise and resources that are essential for thriving communities. MDP developed the Placing Jobs webpage as a resource to build on state and local efforts in economic development and to elevate planning as an economic strategy, which helps reinforce Labor’s essential policy - workforce development for Maryland’s youth.

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Maryland is home to approximately 2,500,000 acres of forest lands. Of these, 24 percent are publicly owned as parks, state forests, federal wildlife sanctuaries, and conservation areas, while the majority, 1.87 million acres, or 76 percent, are privately owned.

Some of these landowners wish to generate income from their forests without developing the land for more suburban or urban uses. While local land use planning and zoning often play a vital role in forestry, local zoning ordinances do not always include a full array of allowed forestry activities or uses.

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A division of the Maryland Department of Planning (MDP), the Maryland State Data Center (MSDC) is the state’s primary liaison with the Census Bureau. MSDC provides Maryland residents, businesses, and local governments with demographic and socioeconomic statistics. It also produces the State’s official population and household projections and develops school enrollment forecasts.

MSDC’s latest release of U.S. Census Bureau 2022 population estimates for Maryland's jurisdictions, and an associated report, are now accessible on its website.

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The Compatible Use Webinar-Volume 2 webinar recording is now available. The Maryland Department of Planning (MDP) organized and conducted the webinar, which is an educational extension of MDP’s Military & Community Compatibility website, in partnership with the Mid Atlantic Planning Collaboration. Governor Moore’s administration is dedicated to strengthening Maryland’s military installations and defense communities. In response, MDP, along with the Maryland Department of Commerce and our federal and local partners, will be building upon our compatibility planning efforts in 2023.

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Rural communities in Appalachia, such as Maryland’s Garrett, Allegany, and Washington counties, have long been understood as some of the most economically challenged in the country. Such communities may have a more difficult time accessing transportation compared to others. Accessibility in this context refers to the ability of people to reach valued destinations such as work, shopping, education, and recreation via various modes of transportation.

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The Maryland Department of Transportation (MDOT) and Housing and Community Development (DHCD) and the Maryland Historical Trust (MHT) are currently seeking community input on the 2050 Maryland Transportation Plan (2050 MTP), the draft Affirmatively Furthering Fair Housing Survey (AFFH Survey), and the Statewide Preservation Plan (Preservation Plan), respectively. 

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Save the dates! The Maryland Planning Commissioners Association (MPCA) will host its 40^th annual conference at the beautiful and historic Kent Island Resort from October 24 – 26. The theme of this year’s conference is 40 Years of Change, 40 Years of Opportunity.

To tackle challenging, but promising 21^st century issues, the benefits of functioning and thriving citizen planning boards that embrace opportunities are more apparent than ever. The MPCA is a statewide, nonprofit educational organization of municipal, county, and regional planning commissioners and boards of zoning appeals members. MPCA members work to improve the quality of life for all Marylanders through planning, environmental protection, historic preservation, and growth management.

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oug Wright was born and raised in Hagerstown and has been a life-long resident of the western Maryland city. After graduating from North Hagerstown High School, he went on to earn a degree in Civil Engineering from Virginia Polytechnic Institute.

Beginning in 1988 he served on the City of Hagerstown’s Planning Commission and was chairperson since 1990. Recently, Doug moved outside Hagerstown and after 35 years of service, resigned from the planning commission.

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Brooks Phelps joined the Maryland Department of Planning (MDP) in September 2022 as the Regional Planner for Central Maryland. Previously, Brooks worked at the Howard County Office of Transportation as a GIS Specialist on projects ranging from bike lane implementation to analyzing crash data, and for the Baltimore County Department of Planning and Zoning as an Associate focusing primarily on permit review and mapping.

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In each newsletter, we highlight the most relevant and timely upcoming events. Our website does include many additional events, so please visit it regularly for updates. Listings are searchable by subject.

DMV Affordable Housing Summit
Washington D.C.
May 04 
For More Information

Increasing Climate Flood Resilience in Coastal Maryland Communities
Crownsville, MD
May 31 
For More Information

Nature-Based Solutions: Cutting Edge Planning for Sustainability
Friday, May 5 @ 1 p.m.
AICP CM Approved 
For More Information

Innovations in Sustainable Agriculture Lunchtime Webinar
Friday, May 12 @ 12 p.m.
For More Information

Interdisciplinary Climate Design for Resilient Coastal Communities Roundtable
Wednesday, May 10, College Park
For More Information

Maryland Historical Trust Virtual Roadshow
Thursday, May 11, Virtual
For More Information

Charging and Fueling Infrastructure Grant Program
U.S. DOT - Federal Highway Administration
Deadline: May 30
For More Information

Choice Neighborhood Planning Grants
U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD)
Deadline: June 6
For More Information