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the economic gains of last year, upon which it based the outlook for
this year, the survey undertook to collect information upon which
to assign the reason for this apparent upswing in the State's economy.
It found that an influx of new industrial plants, coupled with the
expansion of plants already in operation, was a major contributing
factor to the all-time record set in 1963 in employment. In construc-
tion, in industrial production, in personal income and in the other
indicators that are used to determine the economic condition of our
State.
The Department of Economic Development advises me that a pre-
liminary tabulation of its study for 1963 shows 120 new and ex-
panded plants in the State, representing 4, 070 eventual new jobs and
an investment of nearly {106 million in buildings and equipment,
an investment of nearly $106 million in buildings and equipment.
From all of these reports, it seems to me that Marylanders have
every reason to be pleased with the economic condition of their state
and to feel a strong sense of confidence in its future. It is not a sit-
uation, however, that invites complacency. In this competitive society,
if we rest on our oars we are sure to fall behind.
You will recall that in his recent State of the Union Message,
President Johnson said this:
"America, " he said, "cannot afford to stand still. Our population
is growing. Our economy is more complex. Our people's needs are
expanding. " It this is true of our country as a whole — and I know
that it is—it is certainly true of the State of Maryland. The popu-
lation of Maryland is growing much faster than die population of
the country at large. In the decade of the last official census, Mary-
land was the third faster growing state—exceeded only by Delaware
and Florida — in the eastern area of the nation. Undoubtedly our
economy is as complex as the economy of any other part of the
country. And undoubtedly the needs of our people are expanding
along with those of other Americans.
And so, Maryland cannot afford to stand still.
We must expand and improve our system of public education, so
that Marylanders of this generation and of generations to come, may
be assured of every opportunity to develop their minds and their
skills. We must continue to build highways so that the people may
move about with ease and safety and transport the goods they pro-
duce to suitable markets. We must safeguard the health of our peo-
ple by providing more facilities for research, for prevention and for
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