Governor Martin O'Malley recently announced the designation of 16 "Smart Site" projects located in diverse communities around Maryland that promote sustainable growth and smart community revitalization. More than 2,000 permanent jobs are projected to be created through these developments. The Smart Sites are specific projects within Sustainable Community areas that exemplify the best in smart growth principles. Governor O'Malley stated, "We are investing in the creation of jobs, retail development, mixed-use residential in communities from Carroll County to Dorchester County to Baltimore City and will continue to create a Smart, Green and Growing Maryland for future generations."

"The Smart Sites designation is a significant piece of the Smart, Green & Growing initiative in Maryland," said Richard E. Hall, Secretary of the Maryland Department of Planning and chairman of the Governor's Smart Growth Subcabinet.  "The Smart Growth Subcabinet gives select projects this designation because they are among the best at promoting sustainable growth and community revitalization. They also provide very tangible, on-the-ground examples of Smart Growth in action."

The Smart Site projects vary, but they all are designed to: Strengthen public and private partnerships at the local level that leverage substantial private investment in appropriate growth and revitalization areas; Educate about the range of exemplary growth and revitalization projects and partnerships in progress in communities throughout Maryland; and Coordinate State, local and private investment in high impact projects in targeted areas, including BRAC zones, Transit-Oriented Development sites, Main Streets and Maryland Sustainable Communities.

The Local 2010 Government Nominations for Smart Sites Designations include the 'Sailwinds West Waterfront Project' in Cambridge, Dorchester County. The revitalization of the Cambridge waterfront will create a mixed-use development on an underutilized asset with linkages to the downtown and planned cruise ship terminal.