WASHINGTON –
U.S. Senator Benjamin L. Cardin and
Majority Leader Steny Hoyer, D-5, today met with public officials and community leaders from Charles and St. Mary’s counties to discuss three of the biggest areas of concern to residents of Southern Maryland: growth, job training and the future of the Patuxent Naval Air Station (Pax River) and the Naval Surface Warfare Center at Indian Head.

At the invitation of College of Southern Maryland (CSM) President Bradley Gottfried, Senator Cardin told more than 40 who attended the working lunch that his “number one priority is to preserve the quality of life that is unique to Southern Maryland.”
  The Senator pledged to work with local officials to address the challenges facing the region, including workforce development, transportation and housing.

He also stressed that the growth of Pax River and Indian Head and past BRAC reorganizations has provided a strong economic base for the region, but that the area now faces new challenges in meeting work force needs and transportation.

“My goal is to work with institutions such as the CSM and community leaders to ensure that Southern Maryland residents have the job training and funding needed to meet the challenges of the global economy,” said Senator Cardin.

The Senator also talked about the need to preserve farmland and prevent development from encroaching on installations. “We have a duty to preserve the quality of life for residents and to protect Pax River and Indian Head from development that would interfere with their missions.”