Annapolis, MD — Governor Wes Moore today announced the first set of pilot projects under the Maryland Coordinated Permitting Review Council. Created by the governor’s economic competitiveness executive order in December 2024, the council’s work will streamline and expedite permitting review for major projects at the state and local levels of government, promoting the successful attraction, retention, and growth of businesses and workforce across the state.
“We refuse to let red tape stand between our state and a growing economy,” said Gov. Moore. “By streamlining the permitting process, we will help get shovels in the ground faster and supercharge our agenda to create pathways to work, wages, and wealth for all Marylanders. These first six pilot projects reaffirm our commitment to spurring economic growth. And they are only the beginning.”
The first six pilot projects underscore the Moore-Miller Administration’s continued progress toward delivering increased efficiency and productivity in the state’s permitting process, which is critical to strengthening the state’s business climate and to bolstering economic competitiveness. The diverse set—selected based on priority infrastructure and place-based plans—represent a variety of projects in cost and complexity, type, geographic location, and stage of project design and development, including:
- The Bainbridge Logistics Center in Cecil County: A mixed-use redevelopment of a former Naval training center.
- Bella Vita Farm in Montgomery County: An expansion of agritourism and food production facilities.
- Loch Raven Overlook in Baltimore County: A proposed residential development near Loch Raven Reservoir.
- The Pimlico Redevelopment in Baltimore City: A transformative mixed-use revitalization of the historic racetrack into a year-round destination.
- Quantum Frederick in Frederick County: A redevelopment of a data center on a 2,100 acre campus.
- Salisbury (SBY) Market in Wicomico County: The development of a ground floor marketplace, and residential apartments in a historic downtown district in Salisbury.
“The permitting council’s strongest assets will be its interagency coordination and the resulting transparency created through data sharing,” said Maryland Department of Planning Secretary Rebecca L. Flora, AICP, LEED ND/BD+C. “Now that the diverse portfolio of pilot projects has been selected, interagency project teams are being formed to work with project owner teams. We are grateful to the project owners who have agreed to collaborate with us on deepening our understanding of their projects and permitting needs.”
“The selection of Bainbridge Logistics Center as a pilot project for the Maryland Coordinated Permitting Review Council sends a powerful message: the Moore administration is committed to accelerating economic growth, attracting private investment, and creating high-quality jobs in Maryland.” said MRP Industrial Senior Vice President Kate Nolan Bryden. “By streamlining agency coordination, we are making it easier for sophisticated logistics users to build, innovate, and hire—bringing 21st-century careers to Cecil County. Bainbridge is being reactivated as an economic engine, and after nearly 50 years, is once again poised to transform Port Deposit into a hub of opportunity and prosperity.”
To generate increased economic momentum under the Moore-Miller Administration, Gov. Moore is advancing an ambitious economic growth agenda to include permitting reform. Since the Moore-Miller Administration took office, nearly 100,000 jobs have been created and more than $4 billion in private sector investments have been generated to support various economic development projects across the state.
The permitting council will meet monthly over the next year through the pilot stage. Council agendas and meeting materials are available at planning.maryland.gov.
