7 76/Maryland Manual

The State Trade Policy Council was established
in 1985 to advise the Governor and General As-
sembly on policies concerning the State's role in
international trade (Chapter 119, Acts of 1985).
These policies include new programs or strategies
to enhance international trade opportunities for
Maryland citizens.

The Council fosters coordination and communi-
cation between public entities and the private sec-
tor involved in international trade, and sponsors
an annual conference to facilitate the discussion of
issues and exchange of information on interna-
tional trade. The Council also evaluates the effec-
tiveness of State and local programs designed pri-
marily to promote or assist in international trade,
and makes assessments and appropriate recom-
mendations concerning changes in federal pro-
grams designed to promote or assist international
trade.

The Council consists of twenty-five members.
Eighteen are appointed to four-year terms by the
Governor. They represent local government, the
business community, agriculture, labor, interna-
tional trade professionals, and the general public.
Seven serve as ex officio voting members. They in-
clude the Secretaries of Agriculture, Economic
and Employment Development, and Transporta-
tion; the President of the University of Maryland;
a representative of the Baltimore office of the U.S.
Department of Commerce; and two members of
the General Assembly, one nominated by the
President of the Senate and the other by the
Speaker of the House of Delegates. One member
of the Governor's cabinet is designated to serve as
chairperson (Code 1957, An. 41A, sec. 2-108).

MARYLAND ENERGY FINANCING
ADMINISTRATION (MEFA)

Luther B. Miller, Jr., Director

World Trade Center, Suite 735
401 E. Pratt St.
Baltimore 21202 Telephone: 333-4782

Created in 1981, the Maryland Energy Financ-
ing Administration (MEFA) administers a pro-
gram of financial assistance for energy conserva-
tion, energy cogeneration, and solar energy
projects (Code 1957, Art. 41A, sees. 6-301
through 6-321).

MARYLAND INDUSTRIAL AND
COMMERCIAL REDEVELOPMENT
FUND (MICRF)

Marion J. McCoy, Director

World Trade Center, Suite 733
401 E. Pratt St.
Baltimore 21202 Telephone: 333-^304

The Maryland Industrial and Commercial Re-
development Fund (MICRF) became operational
in 1980. To provide supplemental financing that
supports local commercial or industrial redevelop-
ment efforts, the Fund administers State loans,
grants, and loan guarantees to local governments.

Fund money is used to encourage private in-
vestment in industrial and commercial redevelop-
ment projects that retain jobs, create new jobs,
and increase tax revenues. MICRF funds may be
expended directly by a local jurisdiction, or
passed through to a third party committed to car-
rying out the project (Code 1957, Art. 41A, sees.
5-501 through 5-507).

MARYLAND INDUSTRIAL LAND ACT
(MILA) PROGRAM

Marion J. McCoy, Director

World Trade Center, Suite 733
401 E. Pratt St.
Baltimore 21202 Telephone: 333-4304

The Maryland Industrial Land Act (MILA)
was enacted by the General Assembly in 1972
(Chapter 360, Acts of 1972). The intent of the
Program is to ensure adequate industrial sites
throughout the State. The Program may be used
to acquire and preserve such sites for the State in
partnership with the local political subdivision
(Code 1957, Art. 41A, sees. 5-401 through
5^14).

MARYLAND INDUSTRIAL
DEVELOPMENT FINANCING
AUTHORITY (MIDFA)

Chairperson: Patricia B. Bissell, 1989
Vice-Chairperson: Joseph Haskins, Jr'., 1989

Bernard Koman, 1987; Thomas H. Mullaney,
1987; William F. Brooks, Jr., 1988; William J.
Detweiler, 1989; Thomasine M. Tarsell, 1991.