Message From Governor Larry Hogan

Dear Friend,

It might not feel like it, but autumn is well underway here in our great state. The last month has been packed with exciting announcements and events, and I’ve had many great opportunities to get out and meet with Marylanders all across our state!

I spent some of our last summer days at the Great Frederick Fair, where we highlighted Maryland’s thriving agriculture industry.

I also joined the Department of Public Safety and Correctional Services for their annual tug-of-war competition, pictured below. Over 22 years, these incredible men and women have raised over $275,000 for Special Olympics Maryland!

We delivered on our commitment to provide innovative transportation solutions for Maryland when I announced plans to add four news lanes to I-270, I-495, and MD 295 through public-private partnerships (P3). This $9 billion Traffic Relief Plan for these three major state highways will reduce congestion for millions of drivers. Read more about our plan below.

I also enjoyed bringing the message that “Maryland is Open for Business” to Canada during an economic development and trade mission this month. I was proud to announce that two Canadian manufacturers will invest in new facilities right here in Maryland, creating jobs and bringing economic vitality to our state.

This September marked the 16th anniversary of the 9/11 attacks. I was honored to travel to Ocean City to take part in a ceremonial wreath laying alongside Ocean City Mayor Rick Meehan at the 9/11 Firefighters Memorial on the Boardwalk. I also had the opportunity to join with some of our state’s law enforcement officersat the Maryland Chiefs of Police and Sheriff’s Association Awards Ceremony. As governor, I am proud to support the men and women in uniform who bravely serve and protect our great state and nation. As we look toward the next few months, we are excited for some great events and announcements that are soon to come. Be sure to keep up with our administration on social media for the latest news on how we are working to change Maryland for the better!

Your Governor,

Traffic Relief Plan – Transforming Transportation

Delivering on his commitment to provide innovative transportation solutions for Maryland, Governor Larry Hogan announced the administration’s plans to add four new lanes to I-270, the Capital Beltway (I-495), and the Baltimore-Washington Parkway (MD 295). The $9 billion Traffic Relief Plan for these three major state highways will reduce congestion for millions of drivers and mark the beginning of a historic and transformative effort to significantly improve the traffic conditions on some of Maryland’s most traveled roads and highways for years to come.

“These three massive, unprecedented projects to widen I-495, I-270, and MD 295 will be absolutely transformative, and they will help Maryland citizens go about their daily lives in a more efficient and safer manner,” said Governor Hogan. “We are turning Maryland’s celebrated innovation into real action. These projects will substantially and dramatically improve our state highway system and traffic in the region.”

The Traffic Relief Plan is critical to spurring increased economic development and restoring quality of life for countless Marylanders who have been negatively affected by years of traffic congestion. Maryland has the second-longest commuting times in the country, and the National Capital Region is the most congested region in the nation based on annual delay and congestion cost per auto-commuter. The statewide cost of congestion based on auto delay, truck delay, and wasted fuel and emissions was estimated at $2 billion in 2015. This is an increase of 22 percent from the $1.7 billion estimated cost of congestion in 2013. More than 98 percent of the weekday congestion cost was incurred in the Baltimore/Washington region.

Trade Mission to Canada – Producing Results

Governor Larry Hogan joined Virginia Governor Terry McAuliffe and District of Columbia Mayor Muriel Bowser for a two-day joint tourism and economic development mission to Canada. As part of the joint mission, Governor Hogan, Governor McAuliffe, and Mayor Bowser met with the Province of Ontario’s Premier Kathleen Wynne in Toronto, and then attended a reception at the residence of U.S. Consul General Juan Alsace. Following the joint mission in Ontario, Governor Hogan led a Maryland delegation on a two-day economic development mission to Montreal.

“Canada is not only the largest trading partner for the Capital Region, but we also share a commitment to entrepreneurship, innovation, and high-growth industries like cybersecurity, life sciences, and aerospace and defense,” said Governor Hogan.

Governor Hogan addressed Canadian cybersecurity and information technology companies in Toronto this morning at a roundtable discussion hosted by the Information Technology Association of Canada (ITAC) as part of a four-day tourism, trade, and economic development mission. At the meeting, Governor Hogan promoted Maryland as an excellent location for information technology companies, citing the state’s growing cybersecurity industry, strategic location, and access to many key federal agencies focused on information technology. He also visited MaRS, the world’s largest urban innovation hub that serves as a launch pad for startups, a platform for researchers, and a home to innovators.

While in Toronto, Governor Hogan announced that a manufacturer of precision printed circuit boards will open a new manufacturing operation in Maryland. The Ontario, Canada-based CTI America Corp. expects to invest $10 million in the new facility and create at least 80 jobs. The company is working with the Maryland Department of Commerce to finalize a location for its new manufacturing site, which the company expects to have up and running within the next 12 months.

In addition to the 80 new jobs from CTI America Corp, Nat-Phen International, a manufacturer of natural food additives for livestock feed, announced that it has chosen Wicomico County on Maryland’s Eastern Shore as the site of a new manufacturing facility. The Quebec-based Nat-Phen expects to invest $10 million in the new facility over the next five years and create up to 25 new jobs, with the potential for additional jobs once the site is fully operational. Governor Hogan met with the company in Montreal as part of the regional economic development mission to Canada.

To wrap up the tourism and economic development mission, Governor Hogan spoke to Montreal business leaders at an event hosted by the Chamber of Commerce of Metropolitan Montreal. At the event, attendees heard a testimonial from Madeleine Paquin, President and CEO of Logistec Corporation, whose Quebec-based firm regularly does business in Maryland, including at the Port of Baltimore.

Korea Commerce Trade Mission – Adding Jobs

 
A weeklong trade and diplomatic mission to South Korea led by officials from the Maryland Department of Commerce and the Secretary of State’s office concluded with announcements that Maryland has attracted two new companies from South Korea. A follow-up to Governor Larry Hogan’s 2015 trade mission to Asia, which included stops in South Korea, China, and Japan, this mission was aimed at increasing trade and investment between South Korea and Maryland and strengthening cultural and diplomatic ties. First Lady Yumi Hogan, who is the first Korean-American First Lady in the United States, accompanied the delegation.

“The successful mission was an excellent opportunity to highlight the special relationship between Maryland and Korea, and to find additional ways to strengthen the already-flourishing cultural and economic ties of our regions,” said The First Lady.

Fasoo, a Seoul-headquartered leader in document security, application security, and document management, announced plans to move its U.S. headquarters from East Brunswick, New Jersey to Bethesda. The company will bring seven employees to the state.

In addition, Green Cross Cell, a Korea-based publicly-traded cancer immunotherapy products developer and an affiliate of the country’s largest pharmaceutical groups, signed a MOU with Maryland Commerce committing to establishing its first U.S. subsidiary in Maryland. This will be the company’s only business operation outside of Asia.