Governor Larry Hogan Delivers Keynote Address at Maryland Municipal League Summer Conference

Announces High-Speed Internet Expansion in Crisfield, New Leadership to Critical Area Commission

ANNAPOLIS, MD – Governor Larry Hogan today delivered the keynote address at the 2018 Maryland Municipal League (MML) summer conference in Ocean City, Md. In his remarks, the governor highlighted the administration’s progress working in partnership with MML to spur economic development and job creation, improve infrastructure, and remain accessible to all Maryland communities, regardless of their location or size. In addition, the governor announced rural broadband expansion in Crisfield, Md. and the restoration of the Circuit Rider Program within the Critical Area Commission.

“Working together with all of you, we have made incredible strides over the past four years,” said Governor Hogan. “Unlike Washington where nobody gets along and where nothing ever seems to get done, here in Maryland we have chosen a different path, and we’re setting an example for the rest of the nation by working together toward common-sense, bipartisan solutions.”

“The best way to effectively govern this state is with a strong partnership between the state government and all of our local leaders working together – that’s what we promised you we would do, and that is exactly what we have done,” continued the governor.

Restoring Maryland’s economy and fostering job growth in every corner of the state is a core component of the Hogan administration's work to support local communities and their residents. Since taking office in 2015, Governor Hogan has streamlined or eliminated more than 850 governmental regulations and has provided $1.2 billion in toll, tax, and fee relief for Marylanders.

In 2017, the Hogan administration enacted the More Jobs for Marylanders Act, incentivizing and encouraging manufacturers to create jobs where they are needed most. During the 2018 session of the Maryland General Assembly, the governor advocated for and signed legislation expanding the program to additional jurisdictions including Caroline, Garrett, Kent, and Wicomico counties. The state is also providing critical investment in important downtown revitalization projects across the state, as well as countless local community improvements to facilities like libraries, parks, and community centers.

The Hogan administration is committed to collaborative efforts to bring improved broadband and wireless accessibility to communities that were largely ignored under the previous administration. During his speech, the governor announced that in Crisfield, Maryland’s southernmost city, new high-speed fiber optics lines have been installed and lit, giving residents the opportunity to access reliable internet. Access to affordable internet service is a proven economic driver that positively impacts property values, enables telework opportunities, and supports online education. In April 2018, the administration announced Maryland’s selection to participate in a national public-private partnership with Microsoft Corp. and Declaration Networks Group, Inc. to expand rural broadband access in Garrett County, and in May, the governor appointed Kenrick Gordon as Director of the Office of Rural Broadband.

In his keynote address, Governor Hogan also announced three new positions to the Critical Area Commission to restore the Circuit Rider Program, which was eliminated by the previous administration. The program will benefit 32 towns on the Eastern Shore responsible for implementing and expediting critical area permitting to ultimately reduce the administrative burden on their towns.

“Four years ago we promised MML that our administration would be accessible and responsive to you and your communities and that areas which had been ignored and neglected would no longer be forgotten - and we have done exactly what we said we were going to do,” said the governor.

MML is a voluntary, nonprofit, nonpartisan association controlled and maintained by city and town governments working to strengthen and support municipal government through advocacy and the development of effective leadership.