Comptroller Brooke E. Lierman joined Gov. Wes Moore and Treasurer Dereck Davis in approving more than $232 million for 93 initiatives and projects throughout Maryland, during Wednesday’s Board of Public Works meeting.
Comptroller Lierman and Gov. Moore voted to approve a request from the Department of Natural Resources (DNR) for $8.7 million in Program Open Space funding to acquire a 42-acre parcel within the Savage River State Park and Savage River Complex in Garrett County. Treasurer Davis abstained from the vote.
The property has more than 18 cabins, 8 yurts and a multi-trail system and is expected to generate more than $1 million in revenue for the state, which Gov. Moore said exceeds the anticipated expenses after the initial start-up costs.
Before casting her vote, Comptroller Lierman expressed her excitement that the purchase would provide opportunities for more visitors to enjoy nature in Western Maryland, fulfilling the true intent of Maryland’s Program Open Space.
“If you go online during the peak of the summer heat, you will find every campsite reserved, and state parks completely full across the State of Maryland. Which means that there's no public space, no big, beautiful tree-lined parks for people to escape to in the heat of the summer,” Comptroller Lierman said. “So, to me, this property and this purchase is so exciting, because we are both completing the donut hole of Savage River Forest, but also because we are opening up additional space to Marylanders for eternity.”
On another item, Comptroller Lierman lauded an increase of 24 Residential Child Care (RCC) Program beds to increase in-state residential capacity to meet the needs of young people currently housed in hotels and hospital overstays, an issue that Comptroller Lierman has followed closely since her time as a delegate in the Maryland General Assembly.
In all, the BPW approved 93 items, representing a total State expenditure of $232,610,635.94. A comprehensive list of items approved are as follows:
Approved grant agreements for 12 recipients for 13 projects located in 6 counties and Baltimore City with a total value of $10,002,000.
9 items awarding $7,498,415.61 to prime certified small business primes
3 items awarding $3,250,098.14 to certified minority business enterprise primes
2 items awarding $5,904,344.79 to Employment Works Program providers
6 items awarded with established participation goals for minority business enterprises
1 item awarded with established participation goals for veteran-owned small business enterprises
The next meeting of the Board of Public Works is October 2.
