Maryland Board of Public Works Issues 2023 Year-In-Review Highlights

Per the State of Maryland: “The Maryland Board of Public Works today issued calendar year 2023 year-in-review highlights. This year, the board approved more than $8.8 billion in state expenditures that reflect the Moore-Miller Administration’s commitment to advancing support for minority and small business enterprise programs, economic development, higher education, and affordable housing across the state.

“We went into our first year knowing we weren’t going to choose between building a competitive economy and building an equitable one–we would build both at the same time. My colleagues on the Board of Public Works and I moved in partnership to make that vision a reality,” said Gov. Wes Moore. “I’m deeply proud of the progress we’ve made to elevate our minority-owned businesses, spur economic development, and strengthen our communities. And that work has only just begun.”

“As Comptroller of Maryland, it has been an honor to serve alongside Governor Moore and Treasurer Davis on the Maryland Board of Public Works. When we approve the expenditure of state funds, we are not only spending taxpayer money, we are making investments in the future of our state,” said Comptroller Brooke E. Lierman. “We aim not just to erect buildings or roads but to create prosperous, resilient communities. I’m proud of the work we have done this year, and I look forward to working in partnership with the Governor and Treasurer in the years ahead.”

“Of the more than two dozen boards on which I serve, my role on the Board of Public Works is one of my most important,” said Treasurer Dereck Davis. “Alongside Governor Moore and Comptroller Lierman, we review and vote on hundreds of millions of dollars that impact the quality of lives of Marylanders across the state. As we enter a new year, I will continue to act as a responsible steward of taxpayer dollars and ensure that the people’s money is spent fairly, efficiently, and responsibly.”

Support for Minority Business Enterprise and Small Business Enterprise Programs
When compared to calendar year 2022, the board increased its awards to certified minority businesses by $160 million–despite seeing a 52% decrease in procurement expenditures. Awards to minority business enterprise prime and subprime contractors increased by $102.7 million. Small business enterprise awards increased by $80 million, with awards representing nine percent of procurement items submitted–up from 6.5% in calendar year 2022.

Support for Economic Development
The board endorsed several major projects this year to support sustainable economic growth and development across the state, including:

• Approval of a long-term 30-year lease between the Maryland Stadium Authority and the Baltimore Orioles;
• Approval of the Memorandum of Understanding between the Maryland Stadium Authority and Prince George’s County government, which authorizes $400 million in bonds to support the Blue Line Corridor project in Prince George’s County;
• Approval of the Chestertown Armory lease amendment in Kent County, which will allow Washington College to build a hotel and conference center;
• Approval of several capital grants targeted at supporting local economic development initiatives, including:
  • $10 million to Baltimore County to support the Security Square Mall redevelopment;
  • $7.5 million to the Bainbridge Development Corporation and Cecil County to support redevelopment at the former Bainbridge Naval Training Center; and
  • $3 million to the City of Baltimore to support capital improvements related to the Warner Street Entertainment District project.

Support for Higher Education
The board approved more than $500 million to support Maryland’s public colleges and universities and community colleges this year, including:

• $3.5 million for the Blackwell Hall renovation at Salisbury University;
• $8.4 million for the Chesapeake Analytics Collaboration Project at the University of Maryland Center for Environmental Science;
• $10.1 million for the Riggs Alumni Center and Clarice Smith Performing Arts Center projects at the University of Maryland, College Park;
• $9.1 million for the Communications Arts and Humanities Building project at Bowie State University;
• $4.1 million for the New Residence Hall project at Coppin State University;
• $2 million to support capital expenditures related to the Coad Science Building project at Mt. St. Mary’s University;
• $2.2 million for the design and renovation of the campus library at the Rockville campus of Montgomery College;
• $6.9 million to support capital projects at Stevenson University;
• $720,000 to support expenses related to design of the Florestano Building Renovation Project at Anne Arundel Community College.

Support for Affordable Housing
In calendar year 2023, the Department of Housing and Community Development submitted more than $26.7 million in loan requests to the Board of Public Works for the Rental Housing Works program, which helped create 869 affordable rental housing units for Maryland residents. The department also awarded $10.2 million through the Partnership Rental Housing Program, which created more than 500 affordable housing units for low-income renters–313 of which will serve low-income seniors. The board also approved $742,000 to support the department’s Shelter and Transitional Housing program, which provided 20 shelter beds for persons with disabilities.

Support for the Environment and Capital Projects
The board approved $19.5 million to support operations for several governmental and nonprofit organizations including the Western Maryland Scenic Railroad, Maryland Zoo, Historic Annapolis Foundation, Chesapeake Bay Trust, and the Baltimore City Mayor’s Office of Art and Culture–as well as $265.5 million in capital grants to government, private, and nonprofit institutions in all 24 jurisdictions, in addition to $132 million to support open space, conservation, and capital funding dedicated to local parks across the state.”