Governor Moore Continues “Delivering for Maryland” Tour in Talbot County, Highlighting Investments in Healthcare, Broadband, and Community Services
ANNAPOLIS, MD — Governor Wes Moore on Thursday continued his statewide “Delivering for Maryland” tour with a series of engagements in Talbot County. During his visit, the governor celebrated expanded broadband access at the 19th Annual Talbot County Business Appreciation Summit, honored local public safety personnel at the Easton First Responders Celebration, toured the construction progress for the new University of Maryland Shore Regional Medical Center, and highlighted state investments in community facilities following a tour of the St. Michaels Community Center.
“The work of delivering for Maryland means ensuring that every community, from Mountain Maryland to our Eastern Shore, has the resources they need to thrive,” said Gov. Moore. “Today in Talbot County, we are seeing the direct results of our investments in rural healthcare access, broadband access, and the community institutions that support our families.”
Governor Moore began the day as a surprise guest speaker at the 19th Annual Talbot County Business Appreciation Summit. In his remarks, the governor celebrated the news that Talbot County has become the first county in Maryland to reach 100% of locations with access to high-speed internet. Announced by the Maryland Department of Housing and Community Development, this milestone comes just one year after the Department announced Talbot County was the first county to receive the full funding needed to provide access to all unserved locations. Through the Office of Statewide Broadband, Easton Utilities and Talbot County have received a combined total of more than $10 million in federal and state investment to support the build-out of broadband infrastructure to provide access to high-speed internet to more than 2,700 eligible locations across the county.
“This achievement by Talbot County and Easton Utilities signals major progress towards the Moore-Miller Administration’s objective to connect all Marylanders to high-speed internet by 2030,” said Maryland Department of Housing and Community Development Secretary Jake Day. “Through sustained, coordinated investment and strong intergovernmental partnerships, the Office of Statewide Broadband is delivering results that make a real difference in the daily lives of Marylanders – expanding access to healthcare, education, job opportunities, and all of the benefits of the digital economy.”
The governor then delivered remarks at the Sixth Annual First Responders Celebration, where he celebrated the critical service of local police, firefighters, and EMS personnel. The Governor highlighted his administration’s record $124.1 million in funding for local law enforcement in the Fiscal Year 2027 budget and discussed legislation signed to expand protections and benefits for those on the front lines. The legislation includes the CAPES Act, which expands workers’ compensation to include coverage for thyroid, colon, and ovarian cancers; the Jimmy Malone Act, which mandates cancer screening coverage for firefighters; and the Sergeant Patrick Kepp Act, which creates stricter penalties for reckless and aggressive driving.
Governor Moore then toured the construction progress for the University of Maryland Shore Regional Medical Center, which will replace the existing hospital in downtown Easton. Supported by $100 million in State investments committed under the Governor’s Capital Budget through fiscal year 2028, the new facility will house 147 licensed beds and will provide a comprehensive array of emergency, behavioral health, and cardiology services. The facility’s location will also offer easier and safer access for ambulance and helicopter transport, in addition to ample parking for patients, staff, and visitors. The new facility is expected to open by the end of summer 2028, with construction of the facility expected to generate approximately 5,000 jobs.
A central component of the Regional Medical Center project is the strategic development of a long-term physician workforce pipeline tailored for rural communities. Through the expansion of the Rural-MD Scholars Program, medical students are provided with full-tuition scholarships and specialized training in rural medicine. In exchange, these scholars will commit to practicing in rural Eastern Shore communities upon completion of their residency. The collaborative effort between University of Maryland Shore Regional Health, the University of Maryland School of Medicine, and the University of Maryland Medical System will directly help address the challenge of attracting and retaining healthcare professionals to rural communities.
Governor Moore concluded his visit to Talbot County at the newly renovated St. Michaels Community Center. The center, which has a long history of providing essential meals, pantry bags, and youth programming, has evolved since its 2024 renovation into a comprehensive social service hub for the entire Bay Hundred area. The governor toured the facility, which now hosts outside providers for a variety of services including health screenings, pro-bono legal assistance, early identification of childhood developmental delays, mental health counseling, and GED classes.
During the visit, Governor Moore met with members of the center’s Youth Advisory Board to discuss the next phase of expansion, including plans for a new dedicated teen space. The governor then delivered remarks, highlighting that earlier this year the Moore-Miller Administration secured an $800,000 investment during this year’s legislative session to support the center’s expansion.
“Our Community Center is the heart of St. Michaels, and Governor Moore has made it stronger,” said St. Michael’s Town Commission President Jay Hudson. “This is what “Delivering for Maryland” looks like up close. The investment of $800,000 to the SMCC is literally a roof over the heart of this community.”
“Governor Moore’s support through the ‘Delivery for Maryland’ initiative is helping address the unmet needs of the St. Michaels and Bay Hundred community,” said St. Michaels Community Center Executive Director Amy Horne. “This investment in the St. Michaels Community Center will create expanded opportunities for youth — including a new dedicated program and lounge space — and will also advance plans for the Bay Hundred’s only public laundromat, strengthening quality of life and essential services for local families.”
The governor’s visit to Talbot County follows his “Delivering for Maryland” tour of Frederick County on Wednesday. While in Frederick County, Governor Moore highlighted the administration’s investments in public education and housing for aging Marylanders. The governor visited Monocacy Elementary School to meet with students and celebrate the Maryland 2026 Teacher of the Year. Governor Moore also toured the Marathon Health Employee Clinic — where he learned about the Montevue Senior Housing project.
