GOVERNOR MARTIN O’MALLEY ANNOUNCES FASTTRACK AS PART OF MARYLAND MADE EASY

New tool for business and development owners to streamline and expedite state permit review process for projects in priority development areas

ANNAPOLIS, MD (June 30, 2011) – Governor Martin O’Malley today joined Lt. Governor Anthony G. Brown, members of the Executive Cabinet, Baltimore County Executive Kevin Kamenetz, and other state and local leaders at Bakery Express, Inc. in Halethorpe to officially launch FastTrack  as part of the Maryland Made Easy initiative. FastTrack is a new tool for business owners and developers to streamline and expedite the review of state permits for projects in priority development areas.

“One of the ways in which we can create jobs, expand opportunity, and do it now, is by cutting the bureaucratic red tape,” said Governor O’Malley.  “We’re doing that with Maryland Made Easy, simplifying and streamlining the business licensing and permitting process – not just in specific agencies, but across our entire State government.  One of Maryland Made Easy’s key strategies is the ‘FastTrack’ initiative, designed to streamline the kind of business expansion our State is looking for.  This is the FastTrack to expanding businesses in our State.  This is the FastTrack to jobs and opportunity, not in ‘a few years from now,’ but now.”

As part of today’s announcement, Governor O’Malley signed the Executive Order establishing FastTrack and appointed Lt. Governor Brown as Chair of the initiative.      

“Governor O’Malley and I believe that state government has a responsibility to lay the foundation for job creation and economic growth in Maryland, and making it easier for companies to do business in our state is a key part of that effort,” said Lt. Governor Brown. “Our new FastTrack initiative will help expedite the business development process while maintaining standards for smart growth and environmental protection. I am honored to lead this effort on behalf of Governor O’Malley and I look forward to working closely with Maryland’s business community to make the FastTrack program a success.”

The Governor also announced the launch of the Maryland Made Easy web site, which will host information about the FastTrack process as well as the application. The site also features a GIS interactive map that will help users determine eligibility to apply for FastTrack. All projects in FastTrack will be monitored to ensure timeliness and adherence to specified timelines and a yearly report will be presented to the Governor on the system’s progress.

In January, Governor O’Malley announced Maryland Made Easy as part of the Administration’s ongoing efforts to improve the conditions that allow businesses to grow and create jobs. Maryland Made Easy encompasses strategies to streamline procedures, simplify regulations and improve communications.

In addition to FastTrack, the Maryland Made Easy initiative includes State Highway Administration Permits, an ongoing initiative to facilitate permitting for development projects and will include Central Business Licensing, an online one-stop shop for completing and submitting licenses related to starting a business in Maryland.