Planning Assistance in Action

by Joseph Griffiths, AICP, Local Assistance and Training Manager

At the December 7, 2022, Board of Public Works (BPW) meeting, Governor Hogan honored Maryland Department of Planning’s (Planning) David Cotton with a citation recognizing his diligent leadership of Maryland’s Appalachian Regional Commission (ARC) program in 2022.

Earlier this year, the ARC selected Governor Hogan as the states’ co-chair for 2022. As the first Maryland co-chair since 1992, Governor Hogan collaborated with the 13 states that compose the ARC, in partnership with the ARC federal office, to advance the program’s priorities. Maryland also hosted the annual ARC conference at Rocky Gap Resort and Casino from October 17 – 19.

David has worked for Planning for 23 years, first as the department’s Western Maryland Regional Planner, and more recently as the Director of the Western Maryland Regional Office in Cumberland, a role which includes ARC Program management.

Planning observes Dave’s commitment to his region and the state every day, and similarly celebrates Governor Hogan’s recognition of his dedication to the ARC.

The Governor’s citation notes Dave’s “contributions to the success of the ARC fall conference and diligent work on behalf of the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act”. During his citation presentation at the BPW meeting, Governor Hogan called the ARC conference at Rocky Gap the best in the program’s history, and at Planning we couldn’t agree more.

As the citation also notes, on top of conference planning and coordination, Dave is also balancing the influx of ARC funding from the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act, which includes $1 billion for the ARC over the next five years. Dave is already working on the next phase for Maryland’s ARC program, and we are excited to watch where he will lead it.

Congress established the ARC in 1965 as a partnership between the federal government and the 13 states that make up the Appalachian region. The ARC’s mission is to “innovate, partner, and invest to build community capacity and strengthen economic growth in Appalachia.”

Three Maryland counties lie within ARC’s purview: Allegany, Garrett, and Washington, and the state program is directed through the Office of the Governor. As Program Manager, David Cotton runs the ARC’s Maryland projects and programs out of the Cumberland office. 

To learn more about the ARC program in Maryland, please contact David Cotton at david.cotton@maryland.gov or at (301) 338-0537.