Governor Martin O'Malley Convenes Forum on Jobs and the New Economy

Press Release

Governor Martin O'Malley convened the first of five forums today, designed to elicit feedback and ideas from stakeholders in preparation for a second term as Maryland's Governor. Today's forum focused on job creation and the new economy, keeping Maryland competitive, and expanding opportunity for our children. Today's forum gathered the input of various stakeholders, including recommendations for legislation and actions related to innovation and entrepreneurism; workforce skills and education; improving Maryland's business environment; expanding access to capital; and improving our infrastructure.

Approximately 500 industry stakeholders took part in plenary sessions and industry-specific workgroups at today's forum, which was hosted by the National Institute for Standards and Technology in Gaithersburg. Facilitators included Tom Watkins, CEO of Human Genome Sciences; Don Fry, CEO of Greater Baltimore Committee; Neil Muldrow of Muldrow & Associates; and Karen Myers, President of WISP Resort.

"We are all here today because we understand that we are in a fight for our children's future. It's a fight to turn into the new economy with more opportunity for all," said Governor Martin O'Malley. "In this fight, there will be some states that lose, and some states that win. For Maryland to win, we must move forward by creating jobs through innovation, by saving jobs, and by protecting public safety, public education, and our quality of life."

This year, Maryland has created 36,100 new jobs, a rate that is twice the rate of job growth as the rest of the nation and the best year in Maryland since 2000. Last month, Maryland created 2,100 jobs and Maryland's unemployment rate remains well below the national average. Nonetheless, Governor O'Malley acknowledged that many Maryland families and businesses continue to struggle throughout this national recession.

A final report will be produced from today's forum, to be available for the public early January. Recommendations include streamlining the state permitting process, creating an infrastructure to ease access to capital for Maryland small businesses, expanding career and technical education throughout Maryland schools, and providing incentives to encourage off-shore wind and other renewable sources of energy.

The "Maryland Forward" forum series serve to develop strategies for the O'Malley-Brown Administration's second term, and generate concrete actions and recommendations that support the Administration's strategic goals.

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