Governor Stops In Bel Air On Whirlwind Harford County Tour

BEL AIR, MD — Gov. Larry Hogan toured Harford County on Friday to highlight some of his administration's achievements and contributions in the area. From a crisis center in Bel Air to a macaron shop in Havre de Grace, the governor scoped out the offerings of several institutions in the county.

The day began with an announcement in Street about the $127 million investment in broadband statewide through an initiative called Connect Maryland, which is increasing connectivity for 15,000 households across the state, Hogan said. It includes more than $2.2 million for Harford County, where some in the community he visited received broadband access last week, he said.

Hogan's visit also included a trip to the Klein Family Harford Crisis Center in Bel Air, the Boys & Girls Club in Aberdeen and the living shoreline and downtown businesses in Havre de Grace. He also stopped at Keyes Creamery and Hopkins Farm Brewery.

In Bel Air, Hogan presented an official citation to University of Maryland Upper Chesapeake Health CEO Elizabeth Wise to recognize the contributions the Klein Family Harford Crisis Center has made to the community.

The crisis center provides mental health, behavioral health and addiction services; a mobile crisis team; walk-in urgent care clinic; residential crisis services; and a 24/7 hotline.

In Harford County, which Upper Chesapeake reports has a suicide rate that is above the state average, the Klein Family Harford Crisis Center provided 10,600 people with urgent care, residential treatment and outpatient clinic services in FY 2021. It has served clients from age 5 to 93, according to a statement from Upper Chesapeake.

See Also: Harford Crisis Center Named in Honor of the Klein Family

Hogan also visited the Boys & Girls Club of Harford and Cecil Counties in Aberdeen, which he said received funding through Project Bounce Back, a $25 million initiative he announced in May 2021 to help Maryland youth recover from the impacts of the COVID-19 pandemic. All Boys & Girls Clubs statewide were able to expand their impact due to the funding, he said.

County Executive Barry Glassman called Hogan the "best friend" Harford County has had in a governor, speaking at the broadband news conference in Street.

Said Glassman: "Governor Hogan has been probably the best friend of Harford County that we've had in any governor in my 30 years of service."