ANNAPOLIS, MD—Maryland Governor Wes Moore signed three executive orders this week to boost economic development and modernize state government. The orders focus on fostering the Advanced Air Mobility industry, expanding broadband access, and streamlining the Governor’s Office of Community Initiatives.

The first executive order (PDF) establishes the Maryland Advanced Air Mobility Council, which will lead the state’s efforts to capitalize on the growing Advanced Air Mobility sector. The council, comprising 12 members including the attorney general, Aviation Administration, and departments of Labor, Commerce, and Planning, will focus on developing the industry while ensuring safety and privacy.

Moore highlighted Maryland’s potential in this sector, saying, “With one of the largest populations of aeronautical engineers in the country, Maryland has the potential to be a national leader in putting these technologies into practice and reaping the benefits from them.”

“The horizon is filled with exciting new opportunities in Maryland’s skies including expanding MDOT’s ability to maintain operations and rapidly address situations across our transportation system,” said Maryland Department of Transportation Secretary Paul J. Wiedefeld.

The second executive order (PDF) addresses broadband expansion by establishing the Digital Infrastructure Group under the Maryland Department of Information Technology. This group aims to streamline infrastructure development among state and county entities, eliminating inefficiencies and promoting resource sharing. The group will collaborate with agencies like the Maryland Department of Transportation and the Department of Housing and Community Development to bridge the digital divide across the state.

“We are uniquely positioned to lead the nation’s first state Digital Infrastructure Group,” said Maryland Department of Information Technology Secretary Katie Savage. She emphasized the group’s potential to transform the state’s infrastructure development from reactive to proactive, ultimately optimizing taxpayer dollars and potentially generating revenue through partnerships with internet service providers and cellular carriers.

The final executive order (PDF) focuses on the Governor’s Office of Community Initiatives, streamlining the roles and responsibilities of its six ethnic commissions. This reorganization aims to empower the commissions to provide better support to community organizers, advise the governor on policy improvements and engage with diverse communities across Maryland.

Moore emphasized the overarching theme of these actions, saying, “Modernizing government means building partnership between the public sector and our communities, while making essential services simpler, more effective, and more efficient for all. Today’s executive orders speak to that vision for our state.”

“These actions will help us enact our vision for a government that delivers results and grows our economy,” he said.

This article was written with the assistance of AI and reviewed by a human editor.

Photo via Pixabay