Joe Griffiths joined the Maryland Department of Planning in January as Manager of the Local Assistance and Training unit in Planning Services. Joe was previously Manager of the Community Information and Outreach division at the Loudoun County (Virginia) Department of Planning and Zoning, where he oversaw outreach and support functions for the county’s major planning initiatives. Prior to that he was a Program Manager with the Pathways Community Development Corporation where he oversaw brownfield remediation and workforce development efforts.  Joe holds an undergraduate degree in History from the College of William and Mary and a Masters in Urban and Regional Planning from Virginia Commonwealth University.

The Local Assistance and Training unit provides support and education to localities and planning professionals around Maryland. The heart of the division is the department’s Regional Planners, who collaborate with local planning staff and officials around the state to ensure planning and community development best practices and compliance with state requirements. In addition to its Baltimore location, Planning has regional offices in Western Maryland and in both the Upper and Lower Eastern Shore. This division also develops Planning’s educational offerings, including Planning Practice Wednesday, and conducts outreach and informational programs to better connect planning professionals around the state.

Contact Joe at joseph.griffiths@maryland.gov