BRAC PREPARATIONS TAKE FLIGHT
In order to better assess the infrastructure needs that BRAC will bring to Aberdeen Proving Ground and the surrounding area, Harford County Executive David Craig and Maryland Governor Martin O'Malley recently gained a new and unique perspective of the situation. Speaking at a pre-flight news conference, County Executive Craig stated, "This has been a banner week for BRAC in Harford County". Earlier in the week, the Craig Administration presented Harford County's plan for BRAC implementation to state officials. "Today's tour is just another example of how Harford County is preparing, and will be ready for the challenges and opportunities BRAC will bring to Harford County.
April 2007
HARFORD COUNTY JOINS REGIONAL PARTNERSHIP TO ADDRESS BRAC
Harford County has formally joined forces with its neighboring counties and Baltimore City in order to work collectively as a region to prepare for the coming Base Realignment and Closure (BRAC) which will bring thousands of new jobs to Aberdeen Proving Ground. The group has jointly created the Chesapeake Science and Security Corridor, which officially came into being at a formal signing of a Memo of Understanding which was signed by Harford County Executive David Craig, Baltimore County Executive Jim Smith, Baltimore Mayor Sheila Dixon and President of the Cecil County Commissioners William Manlove. The memorandum details how the jurisdictions involved will meet regularly and cooperate in sharing information.
"This is an exciting and challenging time to be an elected official in Maryland," said County Executive Craig. "This coalition is testament that the needs of any one of our jurisdictions are the needs of the entire region. Together, we can make sure we can have a strong technology and communication-based economy to support the military and their mission."
January 2007HARFORD COUNTY EXECUTIVE READY FOR BRAC ACTION PLAN
Harford County Executive, David R. Craig, is pleased to announce the achievement of another milestone in the county's preparation plans for BRAC. The County Executive is awaiting the impending release of the BPAC Action Plan that was formally endorsed by the full BRAC Planning and Advisory Commission (BPAC) January 29th at the HEAT Center in Aberdeen. The Action Plan will be used to advance Harford County into the BRAC Implementation Phase.
"I am proud of the work that BPAC has accomplished. The BPAC Action plan represents a broad collaboration among many subject experts, and will be used to steer our response to the opportunities and challenges facing the County," said Craig.
"The BPAC team was made up of a cross-section of the community with a wide-spectrum of expertise to explore actions necessary for implementation," said County Executive Craig. "The Town Hall Meetings will be an opportunity for even greater citizen collaboration that will help us best respond to the needs of our growing neighborhoods," he added.
August 2005CRAIG, SARBANES, MIKULSKI ANNOUNCE TRANSPORTATION UPGRADES TO MAKE HARFORD BRAC READY
U.S. Senators Paul S. Sarbanes and Barbara A. Mikulski recently announced that an agreement had been reached on a six-year transportation bill, which will provide $2.9 billion in federal highway funds and more than $900 million in dedicated mass transit funding for the State of Maryland. Priority Projects outlined in the multi-year spending bill include $1.5 million in upgrades for the Maryland Train Station inEdgewood adjacent to Aberdeen Proving Ground, and $8 million for the construction of an interchange from eastbound US Route 40 to northbound Maryland Route 715. The projects further prepare Maryland, and Harford County, to support Defense Base Closure and Realignment Commission recommendations made by the Department of Defense in May 2005.
"We applaud the efforts of Senators Sarbanes and Mikulski in obtaining transportation funds for Harford County," said Harford County Executive David R. Craig."Resolving access issues on the Perryman peninsula is a high priority of this administration and improving train usage at Edgewood helps relieve pressure on our roads."
July 2005COUNTY GEARS UP TO MEET BRAC IMPACT AT APG
The Harford County Office of Economic Development has partnered with the Maryland State Highway Administration and the Army Alliance, Inc. to pursue transportation and infrastructure improvements facilitating anticipated growth at Aberdeen Proving Ground. The collaboration is due in part to recent Department of Defense recommendations to create a large communications-electronics command at APG. The recommendation, which is under review by the Base Realignment and Closure Commission, would result in 5,000 new jobs at APG over the next four to six years.
