Tourism and Arts Supported in Governor’s Budget Governor Hogan has announced his budget for FY 2016, and while a difficult economic environment means belt tightening, the news is good for Tourism and The Arts. Governor Hogan’s proposal would set the combined budget of the Maryland Tourism Development Board and the Office of Tourism Development (OTD) at $12.4 million. The Arts Council’s budget would be set at $15.4 million, a figure commensurate with the council’s FY 2014 funding, and the FY 2015 budget after a proposed reduction of five percent, also to $15.4 million. Mitigating the cuts, Governor Hogan has proposed an additional $2 million in funding for the Arts Council from the Special Fund for the Preservation of Cultural Arts. The future of Maryland’s film incentives program is still being discussed in Annapolis.

Governor Lends Support to Post Labor Day School Start Governor Hogan has voiced his support for a post Labor Day start for Maryland’s public schools. Governor Hogan recently became the 13,244th Marylander to add his name to Comptroller Peter Franchot's petition endorsing the later start for the school year. “I think this is a tremendous effort for a lot of reasons,” Governor Hogan told The Baltimore Sun, “It’s not just a family issue - it’s an economic issue.” It is also an issue that enjoys wide support across party lines. A bipartisan panel appointed by the Maryland legislature voted 12-3 in favor of the recommended change, and State Senator James N. Mathias, Jr. has said he will introduce legislation requiring the change. Comptroller Peter Franchot has long cited the benefits for families and for Maryland’s tourism industry of the proposed later start date. The move could benefit tourism centers such as Ocean City and Deep Creek and businesses across the state. The Bureau of Revenue estimates the move would generate $74.3 million in economic activity and $7.7 million in state and local revenue.

War of 1812 Events Conclude with Battle of the Ice Mound Commemoration Just as the Battle of the Ice Mound marked the final conflict of the War of 1812 in Maryland, its commemoration marks the final event in the state’s successful campaign celebrating Maryland’s role in “America’s Second War for Independence.” During the Battle of the Ice Mound, Captain Thomas Wolford and members of the gallant 48th Maryland Militia braved musket-fire, cannons and the treacherous ice itself as they ventured out on the frozen Choptank River to assault and, after two hours of heavy fighting, capture a British warship trapped in the ice. On February 7, the 200th anniversary of this final military clash on the Chesapeake, historians and re-enactors will gather to commemorate and re-enact the fateful battle. The commemoration brings to a close three, successful years of celebrations and events that shone a light on Maryland’s important contributions in this long forgotten war. For more information on the event visit http://visitdorchester.org/events/battle-ice-mound-bicentennial/.

November Tourism Monitor Shows Strong Growth The latest issue of the Maryland Tourism Monitor -- the Office of Tourism's monthly report on metrics for marketing, tourism-related sales taxes, lodging and transportation trends, and leisure and hospitality jobs -- is now available online. Among its findings: sales tax revenues attributed to tourism grew 7.8 percent, outperforming the growth of overall sales tax collections; visitation to tourism websites is up 108 percent; and hotel room revenue has increased 9.4 percent.

The Washington Post Covers Appointment of DBED Secretary Michael Gill Governor Hogan cites his desire to create a better business environment in nominating Michael Gill secretary of DBED, calling Gill, "the most talented guy to help sell the state."

Baltimore Business Journal’s on the Appointment of DBED Secretary Michael Gill Baltimore Business Journal notes new DBED Secretary Michael Gill's commitment to a diverse strategy and a customer service based model.

Maryland Historical Preservation Tax Credit Available For Small Businesses The Maryland Sustainable Communities Tax Credit-Small Commercial program is now available for small commercial properties. Owners can receive a 20% tax credit on applicable expenditures of up to $500,000. The tax credit is administered by the Maryland Historical Trust and is designed to encourage the preservation and improvement of historic structures in designated Sustainable Communities.

Baltimore Open Walls Artists Featured in Forbes 30 under 30 Forbes named three artists who’ve contributed to the Open Walls project to their 30 under 30 list joining several other locals named in other categories, according to Baltimore Magazine.

Spacey Brings Home SAG Award Kevin Spacey continues to rack up the hardware, winning the Screen Actors Guild award for best actor in a TV series, according to The Hollywood Reporter. The award followed Maryland’s recent turn on the Golden Globes red carpet, and joins a stream of positive media attention on Maryland productions and the state’s film and television industry.

Marriott and Under Armour among Top Five Best Run Businesses 24/7 Wall St. placed the two Maryland based companies at numbers three and five, respectively, on their list of Best Run Companies in America. Not coincidentally, Under Armour recently surpassed Adidas in market share, becoming the nation’s number two sports brand, according to The Baltimore Sun.

Maryland Minute On CBS radio stations in Baltimore and Washington, D.C. plus WBAL-AM, Margot Amelia is featured in the weekly Maryland Minute. This week’s version highlights events for this upcoming weekend.