Regina Y. Tillery

This strategic plan aims to position the Maryland Department of Commerce as an operational center of excellence to foster robust economic prosperity across the state. It outlines six key goals: achieving operational excellence, fostering a competitive business environment, advancing innovation and entrepreneurship, expanding targeted industry clusters, creating 'One Maryland' through community development, and improving brand and talent attraction. The plan's vision is to enhance Maryland's fiscal viability, spread prosperity, expand its global impact, create quality jobs, and establish it as a premier state for living, working, and recreation by retaining, growing, and attracting businesses.

This document is a 2017 Progress Report and Scorecard for the Maryland Department of Commerce, detailing the implementation of its strategic plan, 'Best is the Standard,' adopted in February 2016 by the Maryland Economic Development Commission. The plan's overarching goal is to accelerate economic development and job growth in Maryland. Key strategic pillars include achieving operational excellence, fostering a competitive business climate, advancing innovation and entrepreneurship, expanding targeted industry clusters, enhancing community development by creating 'One Maryland,' and improving the Maryland brand. The plan aims to maximize the state's assets, create quality jobs, and elevate Maryland as a premier location to live, work, and play.

The board conducted both an open and a closed special meeting. During the open session, the board voted to adjourn and move to a closed session. In the closed session, board members discussed predecisional strategic plan concepts, including the organization's vision, mission, and long-term priorities, based on confidential research and stakeholder engagement findings.

The meeting encompassed both open and closed sessions. During the open session, the Board handled administrative procedures and voted to enter a closed session to discuss confidential commercial and financial information. In the subsequent closed session, the Board reviewed a draft of the strategic plan, focusing on the organization's vision, mission, and strategic goals, supported by findings from predecisional research and stakeholder engagement.

The board convened for a special meeting comprising both open and closed sessions. During the open session, the board voted to move into a closed session to consider confidential commercial and financial information in accordance with state law. The subsequent closed session focused on discussing predecisional strategic plan concepts, including the organization's vision, mission, and long-term priorities, informed by research findings and stakeholder engagement.