Governor Wes Moore Announces Support of MML’s Tourism Zone Priority at MML Fall Conference

(October 17, 2023) Annapolis, Md. – Governor Wes Moore joined the Maryland Municipal League (MML) Tuesday morning in College Park as the keynote speaker for the 2023 Excellence in Leadership Fall Conference with historic record-breaking attendance. During his remarks, Moore announced his enthusiastic support for MML’s legislative priority to authorize the creation of local tourism zones.

"We are thankful and grateful to be able to work in partnership with MML, and we're excited about the fact that I plan to support MML's initiative to advocate on legislation authorizing local tourism zones for statewide economic development,” said Governor Wes Moore. “This bill is going to help ensure that more municipalities can make use of incentives to attract and retain local businesses, and support local entrepreneurs. We are going to get this done. We're going to work together to make sure that this bill makes it to the legislature – because when it moves to my desk, I will sign it. Together we are moving in partnership. Together we are making progress. And it's because we are moving in partnership that our progress is possible!"

Modeled after a successful Virginia law, the legislation would authorize local governments to provide an array of local tax credits or waivers to businesses to encourage statewide economic development through tourism expansion.  

“We are thrilled for the Governor’s support and his continued partnership of Maryland cities and towns,” said John Carroll, MML President and Mayor of Gelena. “This legislative priority will share the story of our 160 local governments with new visitors and attract businesses that improve the quality of life for our nearly two million residents who call a municipality home.”

Special Secretary of Opioid Response – and former Mayor of Hagerstown – Emily Keller also addressed the crowd today during lunch. She shared that Maryland has been able to achieve a 12.6% decrease in overdoses over the past year, adding “There is a lot of hope in Maryland. Everyone has been touched by this… it’s going to take all of us to get through it.”

This year’s Fall Conference was the largest in MML’s history with over 375 attendees. In addition to the keynotes, local officials and staff had 21 workshop opportunities to deepen their knowledge on some of today’s largest challenges. “The caliber of speakers and the depth of the topics on the MML stage has distinguished the League as a thought leader,” shared MML CEO Theresa Kuhns. “Whether it’s the very human issue of housing Marylanders and hearing Mayor Scott’s personal story of public service, to courses on inclusive leadership, sustainable communities and fighting hate for good, the League has set the tone for stronger community outcomes.”

Today’s opening general session was sponsored by Care First, and the lunch was sponsored by Pleasants and the Local Government Insurance Trust (LGIT) Health.

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About The Maryland Municipal League:

The Maryland Municipal League (MML) was founded in 1936 and serves as the collective voice of 160 municipal governments and the 2 million Marylanders it represents. A voluntary, non-profit, nonpartisan association controlled and maintained by city and town governments, MML works to strengthen and support municipal government through advocacy and the development of effective leadership. Through its membership in the National League of Cities MML offers legislative representation in Washington, urban research programs, and a national municipal government information exchange. MML is the only statewide organization in Maryland composed solely of municipal officials and devoted to the promotion of all branches of municipal administration.