ANNAPOLIS, MD—The Maryland Board of Public Works, led by Gov. Wes Moore, on Wednesday approved over $30 million in strategic investments for community revitalization, public safety, and economic development across the state. The funding includes $24.3 million in grants for 25 community projects and a $6.1 million contract to support We Our Us, a Baltimore-based youth engagement organization.
“We know that partnership produces progress, and there’s no better case study than Baltimore,” Moore said. “The progress we’re seeing isn’t an accident, it’s the result of our investments in community resources, and partnerships with groups like We Our Us and Downtown Partnership.”
Community Revitalization and Economic Development
The Board of Public Works approved more than $24 million from the Maryland Department of Housing and Community Development for 25 revitalization projects. These grants are funded through three state programs: the Baltimore Regional Neighborhoods Initiative, the National Capital Strategic Economic Development Fund, and the Seed Community Development Anchor Institution Fund.
Projects receiving awards include:
- $2 million to the Downtown Partnership of Baltimore for its Strategic Operations Center, a new public safety network aimed at enhancing coordination between emergency and social service providers.
- $4.5 million to ReBUILD Metro, an organization that has redeveloped over 500 abandoned properties in East Baltimore.
- $4 million for Viva White Oak, a $2.8 billion mixed-use development in Montgomery County that will feature thousands of housing units, retail, and lab space.
- $5 million to support the construction of IonQ’s new headquarters in the Discovery District at the University of Maryland, College Park, as part of the state’s Capital of Quantum Initiative.
Public Safety and Youth Engagement
The board also advanced a $6.1 million contract to We Our Us Unity Engagement Men’s Movement, Inc., which provides community-based mentoring and life enrichment services to justice-involved youth in Baltimore City. The investment, administered through the Maryland Department of Juvenile Services, is intended to support young people transitioning from the justice system.
“We are seeing truly remarkable strides in the effort to stop violence in our communities, and it happened because of collaboration and partnership with community groups like We Our Us,” said Acting Secretary of the Maryland Department of Juvenile Services Betsy Fox Tolentino.
We Our Us President Antoine Burton stated the funding would help the organization guide young men and boys toward “productive pathways for success” by strengthening resources and support.
Additional Strategic Investments
In Wednesday’s meeting, the board also approved several other investments, including:
- $2.3 million for upgrades to the National Aquarium in Baltimore, including a new roof for solar and green roof technologies.
- $26.5 million through the Maryland Stadium Authority to support ongoing renovations at Oriole Park at Camden Yards.
- $1.6 million to acquire and preserve a 19th-century farmstead adjacent to Gambrill State Park in Frederick County, which will allow for campground and trail expansion.
- $325,000 to acquire a 27-acre property for the Pocomoke State Forest in Worcester County, where over 18,000 trees will be planted as part of the state’s 5 Million Trees Initiative.
- $100,000 to The Cube CoWork in Baltimore, which supports women entrepreneurs.
