BALTIMORE, MD (Thursday, December 14) – The Baltimore Metropolitan Council (BMC), the Baltimore region’s council of governments and metropolitan planning organization, released its 2023 Annual Report. The report includes the agency’s audited financial statements and a peek at the agency’s work in the previous fiscal year.
Howard County Executive Calvin Ball, chair of BMC’s Board of Directors, said that the agency’s planning work will help communities across the region realize a vision for a safer, more resilient and more connected future.
“Our efforts lay the groundwork for realizing that vision in the years to come,” said County Executive Ball. “Through our collective efforts, we seek to help our region invest in and capitalize on outcomes that boost quality of life for all.”
For the first time, BMC released an interactive digital version of the annual report, featuring embedded content and links to learn more about the agency’s work.
Highlights in BMC’s 2023 Annual Report include:
- Developing the Resilience 2050 long-range transportation plan, which anticipates $70 billion of major capital investments to the region’s transportation system in the coming decades, and boosts projects centering safety and transit access.
- Preparing for the new Baltimore Regional Transit Commission, which was recommended by BMC’s Regional Transit Governance & Funding Workgroup and will be a significant step toward giving the Baltimore region a voice in the future of our transit system.
- Pursuing regional transportation priorities through initiatives like the Transportation & Land Use Connections grant program, which quickly unlocks resources to improve pedestrian and bicycle facilities, and the Patapsco Regional Greenway, an envisioned 40-mile trail network connecting Baltimore’s Inner Harbor to Sykesville in Carroll County.
- Releasing a Climate Change Resource Guide and toolkit for planners in local jurisdictions with information, insight and next steps to help communities across the region best prepare for the effects of climate change with the available resources.
- Saving consumers $74 million on electricity compared to standard rates through the bulk purchasing Energy Board, which includes county and city governments, public schools and communities colleges and nonprofits.
- Building on the impact of ongoing programs such as Chesapeake Connect, which brings together leaders from across greater Baltimore to connect, reflect and learn from peer regions, and Bike to Work Central Maryland, which has rebounded strongly with a return to in-person participation.
BMC Executive Director Mike Kelly thanked the agency’s board members and staff, as well as partners in agencies, organizations and businesses throughout the region.
“We’re grateful to work with talented public servants dedicated to supporting the health and advancement of our communities,” Kelly said. “We are hard at work to advance the shared goals of our region.”
Learn more in the full 2023 Annual Report. You can also sign up for BMC newsletters, and follow the agency on LinkedIn, Facebook, Instagram, YouTube and X.
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Baltimore Metropolitan Council (BMC) works collaboratively with the chief elected officials in the region to create initiatives to improve quality of life and economic vitality. As the Baltimore region’s council of governments, BMC hosts the Baltimore Regional Transportation Board (BRTB) and supports local government by coordinating efforts in a range of policy areas including emergency preparedness, housing, cooperative purchasing, environmental planning and workforce development.
BMC operates its programs and services without regard to race, color or national origin in accordance with Title VI of the Civil Rights Act of 1964 and other applicable laws. Appropriate services can be provided to qualified individuals with disabilities or those in need of language assistance who submit a request at least seven days prior to a meeting. Call 410- 732-0500. Dial 7-1-1 or 800-735-2258 to initiate a TTY call through Maryland Relay. Si se necesita información de Título VI en español, llame al 410-732-0500.