Gov. Moore Launches “Delivering For Maryland” Tour In St. Mary’s County

ST. MARY’S COUNTY, Md. — Governor Wes Moore today kicked off his statewide “Delivering for Maryland” tour in St. Mary’s County, beginning a multi-stop tour across Maryland to highlight the progress, and significant state investments secured during the first three years of the Moore-Miller Administration.

The tour, which launched in Maryland’s first county, focused on the administration’s commitment to creating economic opportunity and ensuring no one is left behind. Throughout the day, the Governor engaged with veterans, college students, and small business owners—showcasing how strategic state investments are yielding tangible results for communities across Maryland.

“The ‘Delivering for Maryland’ tour is about visiting the communities where our policies are making a real, tangible difference in people’s lives,” said Gov. Moore. “We chose to start here in St. Mary’s because it reflects the grit and the promise of our entire state. From the improved care being provided to our veterans at Charlotte Hall to the historic investments we are making in the next generation of leaders at St. Mary’s College and the revitalization of our main streets, we are showing what happens when we work together to move Maryland forward.”

The tour began at the Charlotte Hall Veterans Home, Maryland’s only state-operated veterans facility, where Governor Moore met with residents and joined them for a morning game of bingo. The visit marked a celebration of the facility’s remarkable turnaround under the Moore-Miller Administration, rising from a 1-star to a 4-star overall rating from the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services.

The milestone follows the Governor’s decisive action in March 2023 to terminate a decades-long contract with a previous operator following reports of neglect. Since then, an emergency contract with PruittHealth and heightened state oversight have strengthened clinical care and resident outcomes, earning the facility a 5-star staffing rating for its workforce stability and commitment to high-quality care.

“Federal Team Maryland’s top priority is securing investments that support our communities,” said Senator Chris Van Hollen. “We’re proud to work together with the governor and local leaders to bring critical funds to St. Mary’s County, including to grow educational opportunity, strengthen local infrastructure, support our veterans, and much more. I’m glad to see these investments at work in St. Mary’s County and will keep fighting to deliver federal dollars to our state.”

“Team Maryland is working together to deliver for our entire state—from federal and state investments to fighting for legislation that lowers the cost of housing, protects our veterans, spurs economic opportunity, and ensures communities in Maryland can remain safe,” said Senator Angela Alsobrooks. “St. Mary’s County is critical to our national defense—being home to Naval Air Station Patuxent River, as well as being home to top-tier education and thriving communities. I am so glad Governor Moore could launch his ‘Delivering for Maryland’ tour in St. Mary’s County, and I remain committed to joining him on his promise to deliver for Maryland.”

“Charlotte Hall Veterans Home is a critical outpost for veterans’ health care in Southern Maryland,” said Congressman Steny H. Hoyer. “Today, Governor Moore and I witnessed the profound impact of our collective action to deliver on our promise to veterans care. I’ve been proud to work with our state leaders over the years to help Charlotte Hall Veterans Home evolve to meet the changing needs of Fifth District veterans. The Moore-Miller Administration’s leadership in strengthening critical health care services for veterans has made a significant difference at Charlotte Hall and for our veterans across the state. Team Maryland remains committed to ensuring that Marylanders who bravely served our nation in uniform receive the quality of care they deserve.”

“Charlotte Hall Veterans Home represents what’s possible when we focus on accountability, quality, and doing right by our veterans. This transformation—from one star to four—is the result of strong partnership, dedicated staff, and a clear commitment to improvement.” said Maryland Department of Veterans and Military Families Secretary Ed Rothstein. “We are grateful to the Moore–Miller Administration for their leadership and decisive action to ensure Maryland veterans receive the care, dignity, and respect they have earned.”

Following his visit with Maryland veterans, Governor Moore traveled south to St. Mary’s College of Maryland for a tour of the historic waterfront campus. As the State’s Public Honors College and as a top-five public liberal arts institution nationally, St. Mary’s College remains a priority for the administration’s higher education strategy.

During the visit, the Governor highlighted a $2 million increase in operational funding provided in the FY 2027 budget, bringing the college’s total operating budget to $92.9 million. Additionally, the administration is providing more than $3.2 million in capital funding this year to address infrastructure needs and support the renovation of Montgomery Hall, which will resolve long-standing space deficits for the arts and English departments. The governor concluded his time on campus at the Great Room Dining Hall, where he spoke with students about their priorities and the future of the state.

“We are so proud to welcome Governor Moore and his team to St. Mary’s College,” said St. Mary’s College of Maryland President Rhonda Phillips. “It’s been almost a decade since a Governor visited the state’s public honors college, and we’re grateful for Governor Moore’s dedication to highlighting the progress we’ve made through sustained partnership and state investment in our students, programs, and facilities right here in Maryland’s first capital city.”

The tour concluded in Leonardtown, where Governor Moore joined local leaders for a walking tour of the historic downtown. Under the Moore-Miller Administration, the Maryland Department of Housing and Community Development designated Leonardtown as a Main Street Maryland community in 2023, and has invested more than $911,000 into the corridor through 13 different grants to support local revitalization.

The governor visited several grant recipients during his tour, including Rucci’s Italian Kitchen & Grille and the historic Rex Theatre, which utilized facade improvement grants to restore its landmark marquis. He also stopped at the Duke Building, a 1920s-era structure recently renovated with support from Project Restore 2.0 and multiple facade grants to preserve its historic character while housing new local businesses like The Social Coffeehouse.

“Leonardtown is pleased to welcome Governor Wes Moore to our ‘Most Exceptional Place!’” said Leonardtown Mayor Dan Burris. “A strong partnership with the State of Maryland has been key to continuing our efforts of economic vitality for our downtown. Strengthening our businesses and increasing the quality of life for our residents and visitors is our number one priority. Programs like Main Street and the Façade Improvement Program for small businesses are important tools in that effort.”

“We’re honored to welcome Governor Moore to St. Mary’s County—the Mother County of Maryland,” said Commissioners of St. Mary’s County President James R. Guy. “Starting this tour here, where our state’s story first began, is fitting, and we appreciate the opportunity to highlight some of the people, places, and partnerships that make our community special.”

“We are grateful for the state’s important support to Rucci’s Italian Kitchen & Grille, these grants allowed us to make crucial improvements that helped elevate the view of our building and have made our business stronger and more successful,” said Rucci’s Italian Kitchen & Grille Owner Mynor Hernandez. “Having the governor’s visit today confirms his commitment to continued partnership by funding the preservation of our historic main street, his administration is helping to protect the unique character that makes Leonardtown special.”

“These grants were a wonderful investment in our future, allowing us to make crucial improvements that have made our business stronger and more successful,” said New View Fiber Works Owner Misti Dayton. “We were thrilled to help welcome Governor Moore to New View Fiber Works today, and we’re grateful for his recognition and investment into the town we all love.”