Baltimore and Anne Arundel will be receiving millions of dollars in a tax rebate to improve roads and water pipes in areas where expansion at Maryland’s military bases could bring new jobs and houses.
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“These were selected because of the potential investment within the zone, and the investment that comes back to the community,” said Lt. Gov. Anthony Brown, who announced Monday the recipients of Base Realignment and Closure zone designations.
Local governments will receive up to $5 million from refunded property taxes paid by properties within a BRAC zone that can be used to leverage large bonds.
Those bonds would pay for costly roads and other infrastructure improvements to handle the incoming BRAC work force.
One of the BRAC zone designations went to Odenton in Anne Arundel, where Fort Meade is expected to receive thousands of jobs when BRAC relocates three defense agencies to the installation.
With the money, Anne Arundel can extend Odenton Town Center Boulevard and add wastewater capacity so a major residential-commercial development can move forward.
“This is a major booster-shot … in going a long way to make the vision for Odenton become reality,” said County Executive John R. Leopold.
Baltimore’s Westport community also received a BRAC zone designation.
The 42-acre project planned for the waterfront neighborhood is expected to have 2,000 residential units to attract the incoming work force, though there are no BRAC relocations in the city.
“We’ve been getting mixed reviews, but many are pleasantly surprised about what our city has to offer,” said Baltimore Mayor Sheila Dixon.
Brown said Westport shows much promise because of its proximity to Fort Meade and Aberdeen Proving Ground, which also expects a BRAC expansion.
Other BRAC zone designations went to Laurel, which is revitalizing its failing mall; Frederick County, where Fort Detrick is expected to receive BRAC jobs; and Prince George’s County, where Andrews Air Force Base will also see expansion.
Only five jurisdictions applied for the six designations.
Brown and other officials said they were not too concerned about the troubling economy deterring the development needed to make the BRAC zone worthwhile.
He also announced $2 million in grant funding to 13 colleges and universities to enhance their curriculum to prepare the future work force.
Baltimore City College, Community College of Baltimore County, Johns Hopkins University, Morgan State University, Towson University, University of Baltimore and University of Maryland Baltimore County each received grant funding.
