Hogan Administration Holds Mid-Shore Cabinet Meeting, Tours Caroline, Dorchester, and Talbot Counties

Governor and Cabinet Visit More Than 100 Local Businesses, Schools, Community Centers

ANNAPOLIS, MD – Governor Larry Hogan today held a Mid-Shore Cabinet Meeting at American Legion Dorchester Post 91 in Cambridge, Md. The governor was joined by Lt. Governor Boyd Rutherford, Cambridge Mayor Victoria Jackson-Stanley, Deputy Chief of Staff and former Talbot County legislator Jeannie Haddaway-Riccio, as well as dozens of Maryland cabinet secretaries and directors representing agencies across the state, and state and local officials.

“Four years ago, when I was running for governor, I said that the Eastern Shore would no longer be ignored, forgotten, or neglected,” said Governor Hogan. “We have made it a priority to make sure that people on the Eastern Shore know that they have a voice in Annapolis, a seat at the table, and a governor who is working and fighting on your behalf each and every day. Today, we are bringing the entire leadership of the state government directly to you – on the Eastern Shore.”

This day-long visit, which includes over 100 stops by the governor, Lt. Governor, cabinet secretaries, and administration officials, brings together elected officials, senior county leadership, local business owners, community leaders, and public service personnel to discuss county specific issues and ensure direct engagement and communication with Caroline, Dorchester, and Talbot County constituents.

The governor’s cabinet meeting is the first public event held at American Legion Post 91 since it was damaged by fire in 2016 and rebuilt. The governor participated in an official ribbon cutting and dedication ceremony following the meeting.

Encouraging economic development and new job creation on the Eastern Shore has been a top priority of the Hogan administration; and this past legislative session, the More Jobs for Marylanders Act was expanded to incentivize and encourage manufacturers to create jobs where they are needed most. Additionally, the Mid-Shore counties have just received approval for six new opportunity zones, bringing the Eastern Shore total to 24 opportunity zones to attract even further investment and energize development. Recently, 50 new jobs were added in Cambridge with the expansions of Egide USA, Inc. and Cambridge Federal, as well as 100 new jobs in Talbot County with the expansion of Talbot Commerce Park. In Caroline County, 126 new jobs at Crystal Steel and 100 new jobs at Choptank Transport were added recently.

The Hogan administration’s support of the Mid-Shore includes an executive order signed by Governor Hogan in 2017, which created the Office of Rural Broadband to improve connectivity for economic and public safety purposes, with a focus on rural communities that were often overlooked by previous administrations. Governor Hogan is also the first governor in Maryland history to ever fund the Rural Maryland Prosperity Investment Fund and fully fund the Tri-County Councils – critical partners in advocating for and advancing rural Maryland’s goals.

“There is still much work to be done, and today, our whole team is spreading out across the entirety of Caroline, Dorchester, and Talbot counties to listen, engage, and take action,” said Governor Hogan.

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