On Tuesday, Governor Martin O’Malley, Senators Barbara A. Mikulski and Benjamin Cardin, Congressman C.A. Dutch Ruppersberger and Baltimore County Executive Jim Smith announced a partnership with GM to expand green manufacturing in Maryland and create jobs. GM will construct a high-volume electric drive manufacturing facility at the Baltimore County Transmission plant, creating approximately 200 jobs and retaining hundreds more already at the plant.

Here’s a video of Governor O’Malley at the announcement:

County Executive Jim Smith described the benefits of GM’s decision to the local economy to WBAL’s Steve Fermier (Audio)

GM is investing $129 million in the Baltimore Transmission Plant to build electric motors and related electric drive components. The company was selected by the U.S. Department of Energy for a $105 million grant for electric drive systems manufacturing. In addition, the State of Maryland is providing a $3 million grant through the Maryland Economic Development Assistance Fund (MEDAF) and a $1.5 million grant from the Maryland Department of Labor, Licensing & Regulation Workforce Training Fund. Baltimore County is providing a $6 million conditional grant from the Baltimore County Business Growth Fund and a $150,000 Baltimore County Economic Development Training grant.

Local news coverage:

GM to build electric motors in White Marsh – baltimoresun.com | 1.27.10

New GM Electric Motors To Bring Jobs To Md. – Money News Story – WBAL Baltimore | 1.26.10

Electric Motor Production Will Create 200 Jobs in Baltimore – Southern MD Online | 1.26.10