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      Economic Development Element

      From getting employees to work and goods to shelves, to stimulating
      business development and job creation, transportation has a critical
      role in supporting Maryland's economic vitality. BWI Airport and the
      Port of Baltimore each support thousands of jobs.

      MDOT recognizes the symbiotic relationship between transportation and
      economic growth with programs and projects that nurture the State's
      economy. Working with the Maryland Department of Business and Economic
      Development and local economic development agencies, MDOT identifies
      economic development needs in the project identification process.
      Further, MDOT makes available for development its excess real estate
      which results in business development, job creation and other economic
      benefits for the State. MDOT also works with private and public sector
      partners to develop projects that stimulate private investment adjacent
      to transportation facilities through joint development, and in
      communities experiencing economic disinvestment through the Neighborhood
      Conservation Program. Finally, MDOT supports the Maryland tourism
      industry with signs to identify sites of interest, and the Scenic Byways
      highway beautification program.

      There are a number of issues that point to the need for MDOT to pursue
      an aggressive program to support the State's economy now and into the
      next century. Highway accessibility is one of the primary reasons
      businesses cite for business location. Congestion on roadways is
      threatening to slow productivity and economic growth. Distribution and
      warehousing, a growing economic sector in Maryland, is very reliant on
      an efficient transportation system. Finally, development trends are
      limiting the transportation options available for people to get to jobs,
      schools and stores. As job growth continues in the suburbs, lower
      income, lower skilled residents are left with few local employment
      options and suburban employers cannot fill job vacancies.

      The Economic Development goal and policies listed below reflect the
      existing base of programs that are in place to address economic
      development, while allowing room to develop additional strategies to
      support current economic priorities and honor other State policy
      priorities, including those related to growth management and community
      revitalization.
       
      Economic Development Goal

      Recognizing the link between transportation and economic development, in
      appropriate areas MDOT will develop a transportation network that moves
      goods, retains and expands employment and promotes business travel,
      tourism and leisure travel.

      Economic Development Policies
       
        MDOT will work with State and local economic development and
        transportation agencies as well as non-profit organizations to support
        programs that provide access to jobs for all Marylanders, including
        low-income residents and former welfare recipients.
        MDOT will foster communication among public agencies, local economic
        development agencies and non-profit service providers to ensure
        coordination of economic development efforts.
        MDOT will proactively support State and local economic development
        efforts that are consistent with Smart Growth principles.
        MDOT, in conjunction with DBED, will evaluate the economic benefits of
        proposed projects based on criteria such as job creation and
        retention.
        MDOT will support economic development in established communities,
        planned industrial and light industrial sites, as well as compact
        mixed-use areas.
        MDOT will promote Baltimore/Washington International Airport and the
        Port of Baltimore as economic engines for the State.
        MDOT will foster a customer-oriented, business-friendly climate with
        flexible, responsive policies.
        MDOT will work with the Maryland Office of Tourism and local tourism
        agencies to promote business travel, tourism and leisure travel in
        Maryland.
       
      Finance and Funding Element

      MDOT utilizes a consolidated Transportation Trust Fund to finance its
      programs and operations. The Trust Fund combines into a single fund all

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