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Army Alliance asks Bel Air to continue FY26 support as Aberdeen Proving Ground grows mission
Summary
The Army Alliance presented its FY26 funding request and described recent legislative wins and active efforts to recruit missions and agencies to Aberdeen Proving Ground (APG). Commissioners said they support the Alliance’s work and confirmed prior FY25 budget support will be continued under consideration.
The Army Alliance, a nonprofit advocacy group for Aberdeen Proving Ground (APG), asked the Bel Air Board of Town Commissioners to continue FY26 sponsorship support and updated the board on recent legislative progress and outreach to federal decision makers.
Mike, representing the Army Alliance, told the commissioners that legislation passed this session cleared a regulatory obstacle dating to 1993 and will allow the Chemical Biological Center at APG to expand research and testing operations. "We're gonna have a signing party sometime in May," he said of the legislative change, and thanked the town for previous years’ sponsorship that helped the Alliance’s lobbying and outreach work.
He also described broader business development efforts: the Alliance is pursuing agencies and mission realignments that could add staff and contractors to APG, and staff changes at the Army Research Lab are creating opportunities for local hiring. "We are still hiring to support ARL," Mike said, noting new hires and the Alliance’s continued work to attract technology and innovation activities to the installation.
Commissioners expressed support. One commissioner noted Bel Air is an important host community for APG and that Alliance work supports both local economic development and national security.
Why this matters: APG is a major regional employer; growth in installations, missions, or contractor activity typically generates local economic and housing impacts.
What’s next: The Alliance will continue outreach, host a June 3 dinner with APG leadership and continue recruiting missions to APG; commissioners indicated they plan to keep the Alliance in the FY26 budget discussion.
