Joins nine jurisdictions in effort Annapolis (October 1, 2008) - County Executive John R. Leopold announced today that he has signed a Memorandum of Understanding with nine local jurisdictions in order to prepare for growth resulting from the Base Realignment and Closure (BRAC) process. Member Jurisdictions mutually agree that coordinated regional efforts, as well as individual local efforts, will serve as the key ingredient to successfully developing better solutions to the challenges posed by this unprecedented growth. Anne Arundel County alone will need to invest an estimated $1.1 billion in transportation-related improvements to handle demand. "BRAC presents an enormous challenge and opportunity facing this region," County Executive Leopold said. "All of us must work together in this time of fiscal difficulty to be ready to handle the influx of new residents and new commuters. We have critical needs with regard to roads and schools that we cannot address alone." Parties to this Memorandum of Understanding consist of the following jurisdictions: Anne Arundel County, Baltimore City, Baltimore County, Carroll County, Howard County, City of Laurel, Montgomery County, Prince George’s County, Queen Anne’s County, and Talbot County. Over the next 5 to 7 years, growth throughout the Fort Meade Region in jobs, population and households is expected to be substantial. This growth is due to the effects of ongoing economic development, as well as the Base Realignment and Closure Recommendations of 2005 and similar but unrelated realignments of federal agencies. BRAC and growth at Fort Meade is expected to bring about 22,000 jobs. | 
