Annapolis, MD – Governor Wes Moore signed three executive orders today aimed at fostering economic development and advancing the efficiency of state government. The measures establish the Maryland Advanced Air Mobility Council to capitalize on opportunities in the emerging Advanced Air Mobility industry, create the Digital Infrastructure Group to accelerate broadband expansion, and streamline operations within the Governor’s Office of Community Initiatives.
“Modernizing government means building partnerships between the public sector and our communities, while making essential services simpler, more effective, and more efficient for all,” said Gov. Moore. “These actions will help us enact our vision for a government that delivers results and grows our economy.”
Maryland Advanced Air Mobility Council
The first executive order establishes the Maryland Advanced Air Mobility Council, a 12-member body tasked with positioning Maryland as a national leader in Advanced Air Mobility (AAM). The council will include prominent state officials such as Maryland Attorney General Anthony G. Brown and Maryland Aviation Administration Executive Director Ricky Smith.
Maryland, with its robust aeronautical engineering workforce, is poised to become a hub for AAM technology. This initiative aims to foster growth in high-potential industries while maintaining safety and privacy standards. According to Maryland Department of Transportation Secretary Paul J. Wiedefeld, the council will “help the state build the groundwork to launch Maryland into the next era of aviation innovation.”
Statewide Digital Infrastructure Group
The second executive order creates the Digital Infrastructure Group under the Maryland Department of Information Technology to streamline broadband infrastructure development. By centralizing planning and eliminating inefficiencies, the group aims to expand internet coverage, foster resource-sharing agreements with private-sector internet service providers, and close the digital divide across Maryland.
“We are uniquely positioned to lead the nation’s first state Digital Infrastructure Group,” said Maryland Department of Information Technology Secretary Katie Savage. The group’s goals include leveraging advanced geospatial platforms and existing infrastructure to optimize taxpayer dollars and generate revenue from agreements with ISPs and cellular carriers.
Modernizing the Governor’s Office of Community Initiatives
The third executive order restructures the Governor’s Office of Community Initiatives by clarifying the roles of its six ethnic commissions. The changes aim to strengthen the commissions’ ability to advise on policy, deliver social services to underserved communities, and engage Marylanders through outreach initiatives.
“This executive order unifies our commissions and updates our structure so that we are more empowered to ensure that no one is left behind,” said Executive Director Larry Walker.
The streamlined structure is designed to ensure that all Marylanders have a voice in state governance and access to essential resources.
Building Maryland’s Future
Governor Moore’s executive orders are part of his broader vision to modernize state government and create a robust economic environment. Through innovation and collaboration, these initiatives seek to solidify Maryland’s leadership in emerging industries while addressing critical infrastructure and community needs.
