Jobs and Industry

Southern Maryland has a unique combination of agricultural expertise, technical savvy, and biodiversity that positions us to become a center of practical innovation for the East Coast. Well-planned policies will strengthen our agricultural roots, attract new business, and provide high-paying opportunities for all.

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As District 29’s State Senator, Chuck will develop Maryland policies to support our quality of life now and for the future. As an innovator, he is committed to building tools that connect residents to services they can use right now. If you need help, click below to learn more — and stay tuned as we continue to build more tools and services to help you find community resources.

Agricultural Growth

Southern Maryland farmers are one of the backbones of our state’s economy, and they deserve policies that not only respect their hard work but also work to help them meet today’s challenges. Chuck plans to champion Right to Repair laws in Maryland, and he wants to simplify nutrient management plan compliance through better technology. By investing in food processing facilities, small businesses that support agricultural development (such as farm equipment repair shops), and research partnerships with Maryland universities, we can give farmers access to the tools they need in a changing economy. These investments will strengthen food security in our communities, protect our natural resources, and ensure that agriculture remains a thriving, sustainable part of our state’s future.

Small Business

Chuck believes that Southern Maryland’s future also depends on empowering small businesses and entrepreneurs. With thoughtful land management, Southern Maryland industry can support innovation in clean energy, biotechnology, and manufacturing without compromising our commitment to agriculture and land conservation. Chuck will champion policies that make it easier to start and grow high-tech enterprises by expanding rural broadband as well as access to low-interest loans, targeted tax credits, and state grants for startups. He will work to create regional innovation hubs that connect small businesses with research institutions, workforce training programs, and mentorship opportunities. By investing in people as well as technology, we can build a sustainable economy that grows talent and good-paying jobs right here in Southern Maryland.

Community Development

Community development is more than just building big box stores and gas stations. To sustain our quality of living in Southern Maryland, future community development will require us to attract new industries to our region. Nowhere is this debate more fraught with misinformation than on the topic of data centers. Data centers often overpromise and underdeliver on jobs, economic opportunity, and sustainability; and rural areas often find themselves on the short end of the debate on industrial expansion. As a nationally known ‘data geek’ who has researched the societal and community impacts of data centers, Chuck is uniquely qualified to make sure that benefits to communities, and NOT big business or entrenched business interests, are at the heart of any new development proposals.

Chuck is committed to ensuring a community-first approach to economic development, and he has the expertise to properly account for the benefits and pitfalls of advanced technologies in state legislation. Let’s support sustainable growth that ensures our region’s unique diversity and small communities are respected.

Job Training

As we grow our agricultural, technical, and industry businesses in Southern Maryland, we also need to provide the talent to sustain these new and existing businesses in our communities. Expanded partnership with the University of Maryland Extension can bring new data-driven agricultural training resources to our farming communities. The College of Southern Maryland’s new Aviation Maintenance Technology degree should be socialized with aviation industry partners to demonstrate that we are ready to expand our industry footprint in this area. New programs at CSM can future-proof our region by offering workforce development in solar energy and electrical vehicle maintenance alongside traditional skilled trade choices. Existing offerings like network engineering and cybersecurity can be championed with industry partners and start-ups to demonstrate our region’s strengths as a potential investment location. Let’s work with industries across the nation to bring training opportunities, pipelines, and development grants to Southern Maryland.

Your Voice Moves Maryland Forward

Every issue you explore helps shape a stronger future for District 29. Keep learning about the challenges and opportunities ahead — or join our campaign by contributing today.