The Board of Public Works (BPW) has approved $1.23 billion for projects across Maryland during the board’s first meeting of 2025. Funds will be allocated among 70 initiatives and projects in the state.The Maryland Stadium Authority had its request approved for $135 million in Taxable Revenue Bonds to pay for capital improvements to Oriole Park at Camden Yards. The BPW also approved a $387 million award for the Maryland Transit Administration to purchase more than 300 heavy-duty buses for the Locally Operated Transit Systems. These buses would provide services for Marylanders across the state.“People rely on this to get to grocery stores, to get to their kids, to go to doctors’ appointments and whatnot. They are an important part of the infrastructure,” said Comptroller Brooke E. Lierman. “It allows for hybrid, clean diesel, and other purchases which will continue to decrease emissions as they replace older vehicles. So, it is nice to see the LOTS buses move to be greener as well.”The Department of Education will also benefit, getting the green light on extending their contract with Deloitte Consulting LLP to keep the Child Care Scholarship Program up and running. This program helps working families afford child care. 16,000 children have been added to the program since 2022.Lierman praised Gov. Wes Moore for his administration’s record investment of $605 million into the program, which she (and many) frames as an economic issue. This is outlined in a brief published by the Office of the Comptroller in December 2024 called Child Care and the Economy.“Access to affordable, accessible, quality childcare enables parents who want to work out of the home, to stay in the workforce, and provide jobs for professionals working with our children. Unfortunately, it is also a large and necessary expense for Marylanders,” Lierman said. “It is more expensive in Maryland, with tuition for center-based infant care accounting for 13% of a salary for a married couple and 40% of income for a single-income family. I’m happy to make this analysis available to boost participation and develop solutions to support Marylanders moving forward.” The larger list of items approved include:Approved grant agreements for nine recipients for 10 projects located in six counties and Baltimore City with a total value of $25,651,000. Seven items awarding $176,016,154.20 to prime certified small business primes Six items awarding $175,561,339 to certified minority business enterprise primes Two items awarding $682,352.70 to Employment Works Program providers 11 items awarded with established participation goals for minority business enterprises Three items awarded with established participation goals for veteran-owned small business enterprisesThe next BPW meeting is on Jan. 29.