State Agencies

ed. The division is responsible for various ad hoc
research projects of the department and for repre-
senting the department on numerous statewide
committees and task forces, in addition to prepar-
ing and, in some cases, presenting testimony on
behalf of the Department.

The Office of Project and Sector Studies is pri-
marily responsible for studying the performance
of the State economy. Such work is concerned
with the behavior and relationships between ma-
jor elements of the State's economy, concentrat-
ing on changes over time, such as employment by
industry, by skill, and by sub-State region. The
main purpose of this effort is to provide quantita-
tive and analytical bases for economic policy-
making and development planning. This office is
also responsible for responding to the research
needs of the other divisions in the Department.
Analyses of specific aspects of the State economy
and State economic policy are conducted in order
to provide a sound basis for State actions aimed
at strengthening the economy and for industrial
and community development planning.

The Power Plant Siting and Research Program,
housed in the Department of Natural Resources,
directs the DECD Research Division to cooperate
with the Department of Natural Resources in a
program that includes, among other things, provi-
sions for estimating and monitoring the economic
effects of operating electric power facilities in the
State.

The Office of Statistical Information Services is
primarily responsible for gathering and compiling
technical information. It functions as a statewide
information center for economic and statistical
data on Maryland and serves as a major contact

Economic and Community Development/J 55

point between the State government and the
sources of such data, which include the U.S. Bu-
reau of the Census, the U.S. Department of Com-
merce, the Federal Reserve Districts, trade associ-
ations, non-profit organizations, and various State
and local organizations. The office converts basic
information into compilations specifically de-
signed for business, industry, and the general
public, and prepares a monthly series of economic
indicators.

OFFICE OF DEVELOPMENT
PLANNING

Judith D. Trunzo, Director

2525 Riva Road
Annapolis 21401 Telephone: 269-2711

The Office of Development Planning (ODP)
was created by the Governor in May 1974 and
attached to the Office of the Secretary of the De-
partment of Economic and Community Develop-
ment. Funded largely through federal grants,
ODP is responsible for creating an economic de-
velopment planning process to allocate public and
private resources for the well-being of the citizens
of Maryland. The Office examines selected issues
that might have a significant impact on statewide
economic development and proposes substantive
programs related to these issues; provides devel-
opment planning assistance to local governments
and regional organizations; facilitates coordina-
tion among local. State, regional, and federal au-
thorities on economic development issues affect-
ing the State; and assists regional and local
organizations in establishing their own economic
development processes.