4974

JOINT RESOLUTIONS

Resources, and Transportation so that the departments
may take a holistic approach to rural development.

FOR the purpose of urging the establishment of a liaison
between the Maryland Rural Development Corporation, the
Department of Human Resources, and the State
Development Council, which is comprised of the Lt.
Governor and the Departments of Agriculture, Economic
and Community Development, Health and Mental Hygiene,
Natural Resources, State Planning, and Transportation,
so that a holistic approach may be taken to rural
development.

WHEREAS, The Governor has by executive order created a
State Development Council to guide the development of the
State; and

WHEREAS, The Maryland Rural Development Corporation
(MRDC) was created from a Small Town Emphasis Program (STEP)
grant; and

WHEREAS, The data collection system of MRDC identifies
the areas in rural Maryland that are in the greatest need of
resources, funding, and technical assistance; and

WHEREAS, The resource development system for MRDC is
the only program of its kind now in existence in Maryland;
and

WHEREAS, The technical assistance system of MRDC
assures that the appropriate technical advisors will be
available to small towns; and without MRDC very few towns
would have the financial resources to secure the available
technical consultants; and

WHEREAS, It is both desirable and essential that a
holistic approach be pursued with regard to rural
development; and

WHEREAS, The State of Maryland is substantially rural;
now, therefore, be it

RESOLVED BY THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF MARYLAND, That the

Departments of Agriculture, Economic and Community

Development, Health and Mental Hygiene, Human Resources,
Natural Resources, State Planning, and Transportation are
requested to each select a liaison to work with and
understand the programs of the Maryland Rural Development
Corporation; and be it further

RESOLVED, That the 7 liaisons constitute a committee
which will report to the 1983 session of the General
Assembly on the means by which the State departments of
Maryland and MRDC may work cooperatively in advancing the
developments of rural areas in the State; and be it further