Today we learned that our Governor Wes Moore has returned from his economic development trip to South Korea and Japan, saying: “that his role as Maryland’s chief executive has changed with what he refers to as the chaos coming from Washington. The recent trip, planned before Trump took office, offered a clear picture as to how.” We are told that: “Moore’s words were purposeful. As a leader, he wants to be an answer, a stark contrast, to what he sees in Washington.” Moore goes on to say: “I think that, actually, the best thing you can do in a moment of chaos is to show calm and to show courage,” Moore said. “And that’s the type of leadership that I want to be able to provide.”
Great stuff – words to inspire, but here is the problem … He went – he saw, but as far as anyone can tell he did not conquer! There are no announcements about companies or corporations from South Korea or Japan planning to invest in Maryland! There are no billion-dollar steel plants to be built by Hyundai or the establishment of factories to make semiconductors or iPhone production and assembly … In fact, compared to the “chaos” of Washington, Governor Moore and the State of Maryland are running dead last. If that is the type of leadership he believes the country is looking for, he is likely not to make it out of the primary process … and make no mistake, he is running for that Democrat 2028 nomination for President.
Here is what the chaos in Washington is netting the country, according to AI:
**Georgia**: There are **5** car assembly plants. These include:
– Kia Georgia Inc. (West Point)
– Hyundai Motor Manufacturing Georgia (Savannah, also known as Hyundai Metaplant)
– Rivian Inc. (Stanton Springs)
– Blue Bird Corp. (Fort Valley, primarily school buses)
– Yamaha Motor Manufacturing Corp.
**Alabama**: There are **4** car assembly plants. These include:
– Mercedes-Benz U.S. International (Vance)
– Hyundai Motor Manufacturing Alabama (Montgomery)
– Honda Manufacturing of Alabama (Lincoln)
– Mazda Toyota Manufacturing (Huntsville)
**South Carolina**: There are **2** car assembly plants. These include:
– BMW Manufacturing Co. (Spartanburg)
– Volvo Cars (Ridgeville)
Don’t like cars – how about semiconductors? Once again, AI tells us …
– Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Company (TSMC): In March 2025, TSMC announced a $100 billion investment to build **five additional chip facilities** in the U.S., primarily in Arizona, alongside President Trump. This expansion includes three new chip fabrication plants, two advanced packaging facilities, and a major research and development …
– TSMC’s earlier investments in Arizona, including a $12 billion plant announced in 2020 during Trump’s first term and a $65 billion commitment for three factories by 2030 (partially funded by $6.6 billion from the CHIPS Act), were also cited as influenced by Trump’s tariff pressures …
– Nvidia: In March 2025, Nvidia announced plans to invest hundreds of billions over four years in U.S.-based manufacturing operations, though specific details on the number of new chip plants were not provided …
Samsung in Texas and Texas Instruments in Utah … the list goes on, but the point is clear, Maryland’s Governor has no ‘juice’ when it comes to attracting business to Maryland but the chaos in Washington … well, the lists speak for itself.
These states clearly demonstrate what can be done to attract new business. Note that all can be called “Red” states that offer a clear incentive to do business in those states. Maryland has made it clear that if you come to Maryland, we will tax you till it hurts, and we will make corporate life miserable for you.
After all Amazon took one look and said, “Adios Amigos”. When Barretta Firearms got an offer to move their 600 employee plant from the Eastern Shore of Maryland to Tennessee they did not hesitate – in fact they expanded their employee base from 600 to 900 – and Maryland leadership at the time said ‘good riddance we don’t want to be making guns anyway’ – or word to that effect. And just like that 600 residents of Maryland lost their jobs. That kind of treatment does not go unnoticed in the business world.
Governor Moore needs to spare us all the righteous indignation about Washington and start producing the kind of outcomes for Maryland that he promised us all when he was elected. Telling us that he traveled to far-off lands and came home with nothing of significant value for the people of Maryland does not even make for a good travel tale.
Gulliver’s Travels … now was a good travel tale – Governor Moore’s Travels, not so much. It is time to bring industry to Maryland or stay home and watch it happen to other states, because they see how business can get done.
Why does this dude have a column and a microphone?