Governor’s Newsletter August 4 2017

office of maryland governor larry hogan - changing maryland for the better

Recent News Governor’s Office Contact

Message From Governor Larry Hogan

Dear Friend,

Throughout the month of July we continued to work tirelessly on your behalf to change Maryland for the better.

We furthered our commitment to fixing Maryland’s roads and bridges with the official start of the Watkins Mill/I-270 Interchange Project. This major congestion relief project will improve one of Maryland’s most heavily traveled roadways in Montgomery County, benefiting tens of thousands of Marylanders who drive the I-270 corridor. Read more about the project below.

In this month’s Commerce Corner, Harford County celebrates the opening of United Foods International’s first East Coast location, bringing 125 new jobs to the Belcamp area. Maryland is Open for Business!

In Howard County, we were excited to announce that ELTA North America will be opening a state-of-the-art Cyber Center in Annapolis Junction. ELTA is a world-class defense company and we are proud that they have chosen to expand their operations here in Maryland as a result of our trade mission to Israel last year.

And on the Eastern Shore, I had the chance to meet with thousands of Marylanders from around the state at the annual Tawes Crab & Clam Bake, one of my favorite summer traditions.

I’m thankful that I was also able to enjoy some family time, especially taking my grandson, Cam, for his first haircut at Capistrano Barbershop in Annapolis! See more adorable photos here.

Look out for more newsletters throughout the rest of the summer to keep up with how we’re working hard to Change Maryland for the Better!

Your Governor,

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Watkins Mill/I-270 Interchange Project – Moving Marylanders Safely and Efficiently

Governor Hogan announces the official start of the Watkins Mill/I-270 Interchange Project in Montgomery County.

On July 11, Governor Hogan announced the start of construction of the $97.71 million I-270 interchange project at Watkins Mill Road. This major congestion relief project will improve one of Maryland’s most heavily traveled roadways in Montgomery County, benefiting tens of thousands of travelers who drive the I-270 corridor.

“As we kick off construction of the new Watkins Mill interchange, we are delivering a much-needed missing link – a new east-west route across I-270 that improves access to the Metropolitan Grove MARC Station and supports the planned growth and economic development in this region,” said Governor Hogan. “We are making sure Maryland will continue to be open for business, and we are helping the citizens of Montgomery County, and people all across the state, go about their daily lives in a faster, more efficient, and safer manner.”

The 1.25-mile project extends between MD 124 (Montgomery Village Avenue) and the Great Seneca Creek crossing near Game Preserve Road in Gaithersburg. The I-270 Corridor is regionally known as the Technology Corridor, and is home to dozens of thriving businesses and planned development in the Gaithersburg area. Montgomery County contributed $4.9 million for the design and engineering phase of the project.

Maryland: Cyber Capital of America

This month Governor Hogan celebrated two major economic development achievements: ELTA North America selected Maryland for its new Cyber Innovation Center; and the grand opening of the Baltimore Cyber Range, a collaboration between Baltimore-based Electronic Technology Associates (ETA) and Cyberbit North America. The successes follow the governor’s economic development and trade mission to Israel in September 2016.

ELTA recently opened their new headquarters in Annapolis Junction, upgrading from a 7,500-square-foot facility to a 21,500-square-foot-facility and announcing plans to add as many as 50 new jobs. ELTA North America’s decision to locate the Cyber Innovation Center in Maryland is the direct result of negotiations between Governor Hogan and company leadership, including a site visit to ELTA’s Israeli headquarters.

Governor Hogan also celebrated the grand opening of the Baltimore Cyber Range, which will provide cybersecurity professionals with the most advanced cyber warfare strategies in an environment that simulates real threats.

“Our administration is dedicated to making Maryland more business-friendly and building upon our already incredibly strong cybersecurity industry, and ELTA’s decision to open its Cyber Innovation Center here is another vote of confidence in the direction we are taking our state,” said Governor Hogan. “And as the first stand-alone and hands-on training cybersecurity training center in the nation, Baltimore Cyber Range will provide the most-up-to date training for our cyber force, further demonstrating that Maryland is truly the cyber capital of America.”

Learn more about these exciting achievements at
bit.do/ELTACyberCenter and bit.do/BaltimoreCyberRange.

Buy Local Cookout – Featuring the Best of Maryland Agriculture

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“The First Lady and I had a great time hosting the 10th annual Buy Local Cookout at Government House, where we had the opportunity to sample amazing dishes featuring great Maryland products!” – Governor Hogan

Learn more about the chefs and products featured and see photos from the event here.

41st Annual Tawes Crab & Clam Bake – An Eastern Shore Tradition

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Governor Hogan made the trip down to Crisfield on the Eastern Shore on July 19 for the 41st Annual J. Millard Tawes Crab & Clam Bake.

The event, known to regulars simply as “Tawes,” is one of the most anticipated traditions of the summer, attracting elected officials and Marylanders from every corner of the state. While there, Governor Hogan met thousands of Marylanders, discussing with them a wide range of issues from job creation to protecting the Chesapeake Bay. At the end of the day, he had just enough time to crack open a couple of jimmies for himself!

Commerce Corner: 125 New Jobs in Harford County

United Foods International Co. (UFI), a Japanese private label food manufacturer, celebrated the grand opening of its first East Coast location in Belcamp in Harford County. The company, which is ramping up production and plans to create up to 125 new jobs, has been in a test production phase for the past year and currently has approximately 25 employees.

UFI, whose private label products include a variety of custom Asian sauces, soups, condiments, and dry blends, first opened a U.S. office in California in 1988. The company’s significant growth plans follow a Memorandum of Cooperation signed by Governor Larry Hogan and the Embassy of Japan in August 2016 to foster trade, investment, and other forms of collaboration between Maryland and Japan.

“We are excited to officially welcome United Foods International to Maryland, and look forward to a continued productive economic and cultural relationship with Japan,” said Governor Hogan. “Creating 125 new jobs is a tremendous win for Harford County and our entire state, and further demonstrates that Maryland is open for business.”

Vehicle Emissions Inspection Program – Common Sense Reform

Governor Hogan this month announced regulatory reforms that will save Maryland taxpayers time and money, as well as protect the health of our environment, through common sense changes to the Motor Vehicle Administration’s (MVA) Vehicle Emissions Inspection Program (VEIP). The changes include extending initial VEIP inspections for new vehicles by one year. This announcement implements a recommendation from the governor’s Regulatory Reform Commission’s 2016 report, released in December.

“Our administration remains committed to enacting common sense solutions that provide increased value for Maryland taxpayers and improve customer service, while protecting the health of our environment,” said Governor Hogan. “This change will put more than $2 million back into the pockets of Maryland taxpayers and maintain critical environmental protections.”

Did you know?

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It was under the Liberty Trees in the 13 original colonies that the Sons of Liberty planned their protests of the Stamp Act and plotted their rebellion against the British.

Back in 1999, Annapolis lost the original Liberty Tree – the last surviving from the original 13 colonies – after the devastation of Hurricane Floyd. Fortunately some seeds from that tree were preserved, and new saplings were born. The new Liberty Tree, pictured above, was recently planted on the State House grounds.

The Office of GOVERNOR LARRY HOGAN