have observed that tremendous growth of not only the Towson area,
but of all of Baltimore County. The change it has undergone in the
past two decades is nothing short of remarkable. I myself have watched
its growth with amazement. But state attracts business unless its eco-
nomic climate is conducive to profitable business during working
hours and pleasant living during leisure hours. We may all take pride
that the State of Maryland scores high on both counts. That Maryland
is attracting its share of new business and new industry is apparent
from the figures available.

The State Department of Economic Development has advised me
that during the first half of 1965, businessmen found the Maryland
economic environment to their liking sufficiently to build or expand
98 major facilities, representing a capital investment of more than
$65 million and resulting in employment for 2, 626 men and women.

This is indeed an enviable record.

I am pleased, as your Governor, to join with you here this morning
in breaking the ground for this investment building, which I am told
will be the largest office building in Towson, and among the largest
in Baltimore County. We are proud of the confidence its builders
have shown in the future of the Towson area. There is no doubt in
my mind that this confidence will be rewarded.

Our State is one of the fastest growing states of the union, and
this county is one of the fastest growing counties of the State. The
rapid development is particularly evident in this area of the county.
Furthermore, all indications are that the population expansion of
Maryland will, for the most part, be concentrated in areas such as
this in the suburbs of Baltimore and Washington.

We rejoice that our State is in the forefront of the march of pro-
gress which is taking place in our country. We would have it no
other way.

However, we are aware that there are pitfalls to be avoided in this
march. Rapid population growth and rapid economic development
create problems which if left unsolved result in a detriment to the
people and not a benefit to them. Here is where your government —
federal, state and local — plays a key role. Urban living, as con-
trasted with a rural existence, is necessarily complicated, and govern-
ment services totally unneeded in a rural environment become vitally
essential in an urban one. Baltimore County has offered abundant
evidence that it is determined to meet this, one of the greatest chal-
lenges of our time.

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