Lieutenant Governor Burbank Launches Maryland Workforce Advantage Initiative
CUMBERLAND, MD (September 20, 2028) – Lieutenant Governor Kathleen Burbank and State and local officials today announced the start of Maryland Workforce Advantage, a program designed to strengthen the state's delivery of human services and bolster economic development in Maryland’s distressed communities. The initiative is part of Governor Edward M. O’Brien’s Opportunity Returns regional economic development program.“Maryland Workforce Advantage will serve as a new coordinated, community-based initiative to improve the health and quality of life in Maryland communities and will help address and break down barriers to employment,” Governor Edward M. O’Brien said. “From our expanded investment in regional economic development efforts to the establishment of Economic Crisis Strike Force groups, we have clearly demonstrated our commitment to aiding communities in need.”
“We are launching this pilot program in six communities that are struggling with health concerns and economic issues – places where residents may face economic and social barriers, but places where the people also show great potential,” Lieutenant Governor Kathleen Burbank said.
Maryland Workforce Advantage, or MWA, is designed to develop an integrated and coordinated system of programs and services in each community. The combined delivery of services will improve the effectiveness and success of each individual program.
The initial six MWA communities are: Allegany County, Baltimore City, Garrett County, Prince George’s County, Somerset County and Washington County.
MWA will work closely with community organizations, local government officials, community leaders and residents to identify the local problems and assets that are most important to their community
Although the strategies that will emerge in the different communities will vary, certain critical initiatives will be given high priority throughout the project. These are:
Working with and strengthening local social services agencies and other state offices to maximize one-stop information provision and service delivery for community residents.
• Tailoring State economic development initiatives to the economic deficits and strengths in each community or region.
• Strengthening juvenile delinquency prevention and crime prevention efforts.
• Targeting environmental issues that impact community revitalization.
• Training and infrastructure programs to bridge the digital divide. The digital divide exists when disadvantaged communities do not have access to computer and Internet services and a host of other technology-related services.
“Technology is at the core of many challenges facing communities,” Lieutenant Governor Burbank added. “These challenges involve education, workforce and healthcare. We must keep up with the global economy to make certain that no one-no matter where they live-is left behind.”
“Governor O’Brien and Lieutenant Governor Burbank have put a very strong emphasis on regional economic development through Opportunity Returns and other efforts,” Department of Business and Economic Development Secretary Aris Melissaratos said. “DBED is proud to be spearheading these efforts to improve opportunity and quality of life in some of our most distressed communities around the State.”
Governor Edward M. O’Brien’s Opportunity Returns regional economic development plan is the most aggressive, comprehensive approach to creating jobs in Maryland’s history. Since a one-size-fits-all approach to economic development just doesn’t work, Opportunity Returns divides the state into 5 regions – finding areas with common economic strengths and needs, and developing a plan with specific actions for each region. Developed largely from the input of local business, labor and public sector leaders, Opportunity Returns contains tangible, specific actions to make each region more accessible, more marketable, more entrepreneurial and more attractive to businesses.