Read the County Executive's comments on the BRAC Action Plan,
or watch the video from the press conference. BRAC opportunities workshop held for small and minority-owned businesses. A major focus for the BRAC Task Force has been to prepare for the impact of BRAC on Baltimore County and to determine how the County can best position itself to take advantage of the opportunities BRAC presents. Over eight months, the member departments and organizations have met, discussed, and reviewed reports from the State of Maryland and other sources. The Task Force has conferred with colleagues in related state and local agencies and neighboring jurisdictions. The group identified initiatives that should be undertaken to prepare for and respond to BRAC in the areas of Infrastructure and Land Use, Education and Workforce Development, and Public Safety. The Action Plan (PDF) identifies over 100 short- and longer-term initiatives that will be important for Baltimore County to pursue in order to prepare and maximize BRAC's economic opportunity. This plan will become part of a regional BRAC Action Plan for Central Maryland. Each recommendation has been assigned an overall priority level reflecting its importance to BRAC preparations. In addition, each action item has been assigned a category based on how it relates to BRAC: - New priority prompted by BRAC
- Ongoing, but importance heightened due to BRAC
- Worthwhile, but not directly affected / compelled by BRAC
The Baltimore County Action Plan (PDF) is a dynamic, fluid document, designed to guide County efforts until BRAC is fully implemented in 2011. The dynamics of the Department of Defense could shift priorities or drive additional BRAC actions that are not noted at the present time. Infrastructure, Transportation and Land Use - Work to identify development opportunities and to revitalize older commercial corridors in the northeast and southwest areas of the County to enhance their ability to attract and accommodate BRAC-related development, with emphasis on Pulaski Highway, US1 and Washington Boulevard.
- Study MD40 from Harford County to the City line to assess opportunities for enhanced land use strategies and the need for capacity, operational, safety and aesthetic improvements to roadways.
- Assess the feasibility of expanding and/or relocating the Middle River MARC Station to complement the redevelopment of the two million-square-foot Middle River Station Depot and capitalize on the direct rail connection to Aberdeen Proving Ground.
Education and Workforce Development - Review the educational facilities master plan to assess facility needs and enrollment projections.
- Analyze potential school sites and strategies, such as capacity analysis, room use recommendations, use of existing relocatable units, enrollment caps/annexing/redistricting, purchasing additional relocatable units, renovations, permanent/modular additions, and capital construction in order to priorities school construction needs and funding.
- Map curriculum needs and job descriptions of incoming workers in order to adapt programs to meet employer needs.
- Continue to expand K-12 Science, Technology, Engineering & Math (STEM) programs, apprenticeship programs, career and tech ed electives and completer programs for middle and high schools, and provide BRAC work-based learning experiences for high school students.
- Assess potential impact/opportunities of BRAC on the Community College of Baltimore County, including need for expanded classrooms, labs, and Career and Technology Education programs.
- Assist Baltimore County students and employees in obtaining security clearances by building a comprehensive marketing plan (K-12, community college, 4-year colleges) regarding the role of security clearances in employment opportunities. Create sponsorship opportunities so that interns and emerging employees are security-ready.
- Customize and expand, as needed, Baltimore County Office of Workforce Development programs, including dedicated resources and programs such as recruiting, pre-screening, training for BRAC workers and employment support for spouses.
- Implement a communications and marketing effort to promote educational and workforce services to prospective employers and workers/students.
Revised July 23, 2007 |
Courthouse 