Resilience Authority outlines $50M+ grants and projects that benefit Annapolis
May 12, 2026 | Annapolis, Anne Arundel County, Maryland
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Matt Fleming, executive director of the Resilience Authority of Annapolis and Anne Arundel County, presented the authority's work, its governance structure and a portfolio of projects aimed at reducing climate impacts and flood risk.
Fleming told the council the authority — formed under 2020 enabling legislation and established regionally in 2022 — has brought in “a little over $50,000,000” since its founding and reported that in 2025 the authority advanced approximately $36,200,000 to projects. He said the authority focuses on projects across stormwater, shoreline, energy and nature‑based resilience and that “every dollar we bring in, 94¢ of those dollars go in the ground for projects.”
Fleming described several project examples that benefit Annapolis residents including Truxtun Cove work, Merriman stream restoration and Cars Beach shoreline resilience. He explained the authority’s board composition (members appointed by the county executive and the mayor), advisory ties to city and county department heads, transparency efforts (annual reports and quarterly updates) and procurement/debt policies designed to leverage grants.
Council members probed state coordination and whether legislation before the county to relax residency requirements for board appointees would be acceptable; Fleming said the authority has discussed a county bill that would allow more flexibility to appoint nonresidents with needed expertise, and that identical or substantially similar city legislation would be required for changes to be effective across both jurisdictions.
Aldermen praised the authority’s grant‑seeking and urged staff to surface process improvements that could speed project delivery where municipal code or procurement steps caused delays. Fleming said the authority serves as a “force multiplier” for city and county staff and that many projects are structured to reduce city capital burdens by leveraging external grants.
Council received the presentation, asked follow‑up questions, and directed continued collaboration; there was no vote on authority governance or funding at this meeting.
Fleming told the council the authority — formed under 2020 enabling legislation and established regionally in 2022 — has brought in “a little over $50,000,000” since its founding and reported that in 2025 the authority advanced approximately $36,200,000 to projects. He said the authority focuses on projects across stormwater, shoreline, energy and nature‑based resilience and that “every dollar we bring in, 94¢ of those dollars go in the ground for projects.”
Fleming described several project examples that benefit Annapolis residents including Truxtun Cove work, Merriman stream restoration and Cars Beach shoreline resilience. He explained the authority’s board composition (members appointed by the county executive and the mayor), advisory ties to city and county department heads, transparency efforts (annual reports and quarterly updates) and procurement/debt policies designed to leverage grants.
Council members probed state coordination and whether legislation before the county to relax residency requirements for board appointees would be acceptable; Fleming said the authority has discussed a county bill that would allow more flexibility to appoint nonresidents with needed expertise, and that identical or substantially similar city legislation would be required for changes to be effective across both jurisdictions.
Aldermen praised the authority’s grant‑seeking and urged staff to surface process improvements that could speed project delivery where municipal code or procurement steps caused delays. Fleming said the authority serves as a “force multiplier” for city and county staff and that many projects are structured to reduce city capital burdens by leveraging external grants.
Council received the presentation, asked follow‑up questions, and directed continued collaboration; there was no vote on authority governance or funding at this meeting.
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