|
discuss the possibilities of moving to, or expanding their firms in,
a Maryland community. Last year such assistance was offered to 143
firms, twice as many as four years ago. This industrial development
service of your State government has been directly responsible for 37
new plants opening in Maryland — plans employing some 11, 000
workers, with an annual payroll of $69 million and a capital invest-
ment of $45 million.
Direct efforts to stimulate business advancement occurs in many
fields, but I shall mention only one here. Earlier today I took part in
the dedication of the New Pier 3 in Locust Point, the Port of Balti-
more, and I took the occasion to point out that here we had a
splendid example of a hand-in-glove working relationship between
State government and private business interests. I recalled that in
the legislation creating the Maryland Port Authority ten years ago,
it was stated clearly in the act that it was the purpose of the bill that
this agency was to assist private enterprise and supplement the efforts
of waterfront business concerns in developing a modern and pro-
gressive seaport that will be a vital economic asset to the State and
of its citizens. The property in question was made available to the
Maryland Port Authority by the Baltimore and Ohio Railroad. The
Authority, in turn, took an obsolete pier and, by a wise expenditure
of public funds, turned it into a modern facility that will help to
keep this great Port of Baltimore competitive with other ports
throughout the country. Finally, the Port is turning the pier over to
a vigorous private business concern for operation. This, as I say, is
an excellent example of how government and business should work
in concert toward a single objective — the prosperity of Maryland
and all of its citizens.
Now, let's turn to the idea of creating the kind of atmosphere in
which business and individuals are inspired to creativity. I have in
mind the development of a social, economic and cultural climate
which spurs people on to greater efforts and greater achievements. I
am told that business men seeking information about plant location
are interested not only in economic advantages but are keenly con-
cerned also about such things as educational facilities, highways,
parks, recreational opportunities and a great many other things that
contribute to pleasant and abundant living. And so, your State at-
tracts business and commerce when it builds schools, and roads, and
parks, and playgrounds, and hospitals. Finally, business men want to
know that a community in which they expect to operate a business has
a government which is stable financially and politically. At a con-
215
|
 |