Thurmont Town Planner Appointed To State Permitting Review Council

Town of Thurmont Town Planner Kelly Duty (pictured right) has been appointed to the Maryland Coordinated Permitting Review Council (MCPRC).

The MCPRC is a state entity established by Governor Wes Moore’s Executive Order in December 2024 to streamline the permitting process for major projects and foster economic growth in Maryland. It achieves this by improving interagency coordination, cutting red tape for businesses, and implementing new tools like an online permitting intake system and dashboard to track project progress. The Council is tasked with streamlining permitting processes at both the state and local levels, aiming to foster a more efficient pathway for infrastructure and business development. The Council has selected pilot projects, including mixed-use developments, to test these new processes and plans for broader implementation.

Thurmont Chief Administrative Officer Jim Humerick said, “Kelly is a great addition to this council and will be able to advocate for more efficient permitting and processing at the local level, where, as we always say, ‘the rubber hits the road.’”

Duty’s appointment is a two-year term.