Fort George G. Meade

Fort George G. Meade Municipal Water Report Info

The Fort Meade Alliance began over a decade ago with a small group of dedicated individuals and a clear mission. Maryland's Department of Business and Economic Development (DBED) encouraged communities to form coalitions supporting military bases ahead of Base Realignment and Closure Commission (BRAC) considerations.

Bert Rice, a founding member, recalled how he and fellow veterans witnessed a previous BRAC decision downgrade Fort Meade's hospital to an outpatient facility. They were determined to secure a more favorable outcome in the next round. The initial members gathered regularly at the Odenton Library, guided by BGen (Ret) Mike Hayes, who directed Maryland's Office of Military and Federal Affairs.

Col. (Ret) Kenneth McCreedy, Fort Meade's Garrison commander from 2005-2008, noted that when he arrived, the FMA consisted of just six organizations. Recognizing Fort Meade would need effective community communication channels after BRAC announcements, the new Garrison Commander began engaging with the Alliance and encouraging broader participation.

Jay Baldwin, a banker curious about BRAC's community impact, joined in 2005. "I showed up at a meeting and was immediately elected treasurer, without really being asked," Baldwin recalled. He eventually became president and recognized the organization needed financial stability and growth.

The Alliance soon gained support from Anne Arundel County Executive Janet Owens and Bill Badger, then CEO of Anne Arundel Economic Development Corp. Badger sought ways to address the significant economic opportunities Fort Meade presented. While the post was clearly an economic powerhouse driving high-tech job creation, the secretive nature of the NSA and other agencies limited public knowledge about operations and business opportunities.

Badger envisioned the FMA as a platform connecting federal officials, contractors, technology innovators, businesses, military supporters and community members to share information and foster regional prosperity. County leadership provided office space and support for the Alliance's first executive director, while DBED awarded a crucial $20,000 grant that Baldwin described as "lifeline dollars."

These resources and the BRAC decision to relocate three major agencies to Fort Meade fueled the Alliance's growth. Regular meetings included the Garrison Commander, Fort Meade officials, elected representatives from all government levels, and an expanding network of military contractors. The FMA became recognized as the authoritative source for Fort Meade information, with members actively applying their knowledge.

"We were determined to become a living, breathing, action-oriented organization," Baldwin stated. The Alliance facilitated extensive discussions about BRAC's complexities and challenges. Recognizing many BRAC agency employees were anxious about relocating to Maryland, the FMA hosted relocation fairs for staff from Defense Information Systems Agency (DISA), Defense Media Activity, and DoD Adjudication, arranged installation tours, and created publications about transportation options, local schools, communities, and regional cultural attractions.

As BRAC implementation progressed, Alliance leaders looked to ensure long-term relevance beyond a single issue. They enlisted new member Rosemary Budd to lead strategic planning, conducting comprehensive interviews and working sessions to "define our organization's goals and objectives, and identify our stakeholders," Budd explained. "We recognized our stakeholders included the Garrison, military personnel and families, on-base agencies and businesses, our members, and the broader community."