In his opinion article published in the Washington Times on July 18, 2023, Governor Moore laid out his vision for state investment in transportation benefitting all Marylanders. “We must expand transportation options across our state to ensure all Marylanders can get from where they live to where opportunity lies no matter their background, zip code, or income,” said Governor Moore, reiterating his administration’s promise to “leave no one behind.” 

While acknowledging the importance of “fixing and making safe our roads and bridges,” Governor Moore emphasizes the need “to think beyond cars and start investing in public transportation that benefits everyone.” He views access to transportation as an essential pathway to economic growth, opportunity, and prosperity. 

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As a reminder, October is National Pedestrian Safety Month, as designated by the U.S. Department of Transportation’s National Highway Safety Administration (NHTSA) and the Federal Highway Administration (FHWA). In Maryland, planning for Walktober 2023, a month-long celebration of Maryland’s official state exercise, is well under way and promises an exciting lineup of events and speakers.

The Governor’s administration wants to transform our transportation system and provide Marylanders with accessible, equitable, and sustainable options across the state – including walking and biking – ensuring we “connect all Marylanders to life’s opportunities and no one is left behind.”

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The Intergovernmental Monitor (Monitor) is a resource provided by the Maryland State Clearinghouse for Intergovernmental Assistance (Clearinghouse), a unit within the Maryland Department of Planning (MDP). The primary mission of the Clearinghouse is to ensure that state and federally supported assistance projects (both financial and non-financial) operating within Maryland are consistent with state and local policies and programs. Projects subject to review and consistency determination include those proposed by governmental agencies, as well as private or non-profit entities.

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While the autonomous corridor project, itself, is still in the making and pursuing funding for implementation, in just a little over a year since MDP published our first article, there have been significant developments in many of the companion pieces needed to move CAV technologies forward in the Westminster area.

Exciting new partnerships and collaborations have formed; new educational workforce training opportunities have launched alongside the opening of new laboratory facilities; and students have begun graduating from the Mid-Atlantic Gigabit Innovation Collaboratory, Inc. (MAGIC) robotics programs, matriculating to colleges, internship programs, and jobs with area tech companies. 

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Beginning earlier this month, Maryland Historical Trust’s (MHT) historic revitalization tax credit applications for this year’s competitive commercial tax credit round, and any federal applications, can now be  submitted electronically.

How will this work? MHT will accept applications using a secure system via Microsoft Teams. (External users will not need a Microsoft Teams account to access this secure system, though a valid email address is required.) MHT will also accept electronic payments for review fees through a secure payment system.

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According to the Maryland Department of the Environment (MDE) Maryland’s Climate Pathway report, Maryland has set some of the most aggressive GHG emissions reduction goals in the nation. Und​er the Climate Solutions Now Act (CSNA)​ ​​of 2022, the state established a target at 60% (over the 2006 level) by 2031 and net-zero emissions by 2045. The Maryland Department of the Environment (MDE) has been working with the Center for Global Sustainability (CGS) at the University of Maryland on a conceptual roadmap to reach the state’s climate goals, recently developing the Maryland’s Climate Pathway report.

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Marylanders now have access on their phones, tablets, and PCs to more data on their health and the environment, with the release of an updated Environmental Public Health Tracking data portal.

Funded by the CDC, the Environmental Health Bureau’s Tracking portal includes county- and census level-data on common health conditions such as asthma, cancer, lead poisoning, heart attacks, and traumatic brain injury. Users can view downloadable data in maps and tables. The portal also has environmental data on topics like air quality, climate change, and drinking water. More topics will be added in the future.       

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The Metropolitan Washington Council of Governments has released a checklist to help local jurisdictions get started with electric vehicles. The EV Ready Checklist provides a comprehensive high-level overview of steps local governments can work on to prepare their community and government fleet for transportation electrification.

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Mark your calendars, the Maryland Planning Commissioners Association (MPCA) 40^th Annual Conference is only two months away! The MPCA recently released the preliminary conference program, which has been expanded from the normal two days to three days in celebration of the organization’s 40^th anniversary.

The MPCA thanks everyone who submitted session proposals addressing this year’s theme, 40 Years of Change, 40 years of Opportunity. The MPCA is still finalizing the details in coordination with Queen Anne’s County, our partners, and our distinguished panelists, but we encourage you to check out everything the program has to offer!

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The Maryland Planning Commissioners Association (MPCA) initiated the regional workshop program in spring,  2019 to supplement its annual conference, bring citizen and professional planners together to learn from each other, and share the unique joys and challenges of planning in their region.

Since that time, the MPCA has hosted regional workshops in Hagerstown, Annapolis, Salisbury, Denton, La Plata, and most recently on July 19, 2023, in Frostburg, Allegany County. During the pandemic the MPCA also conducted two virtual workshops. You can review agendas, presentations, and notes from previous workshops on the MPCA Workshop web page.

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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.

The University of Maryland Symposium on Environmental Justice and Health Disparities
College, MD
September 11 - 16
For More Information

2023 Maryland Land Conservation Conference, “Changing the Future, Now!”
Annapolis, MD
October 4 - 5 
For More Information

2023 Ethics Roundup
Friday, September 1 @ 1 p.m.
AICP CM Approved 
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2023 Rural Rental Housing Preservation Academy
Wednesday, September  27 @  1 p.m. 
For More Information

Maryland CAV Working Group Meeting
Tuesday, August 29
Dundalk, MD
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Es Mi Parque, DNR
Saturday, September 16
Patapsco Valley State Park
For More Information

Maryland Historic Revitalization Tax Credit Program
Maryland Historical Trust
Deadline: August 31
For More Information

FY23 SMART Stage 1 Notice of Funding Opportunity (NOFO)
U.S Department of Transportation
Deadline: October 10
For More Information