Md. Board Scales Back Controversial Food-Hub Plan

ANNAPOLIS, Md. (AP) -- A Maryland board has significantly changed a proposal to buy land on the Eastern Shore and lease it to a Democratic political donor for $1 a month to process and distribute locally produced food.

The Maryland Board of Public Works voted 2-1 to buy the land in Kent County for $2.8 million. However, instead of leasing the land to the donor, the state will open up the process for others to submit requests to run such a project.

That, however, could take months, and it's unclear how the proposal might proceed under a new administration, when Republican Gov.-elect Larry Hogan takes office in January.

Comptroller Peter Franchot, a board member, heavily criticized the proposal and voted against it. Gov. Martin O'Malley, a Democrat, and Treasurer Nancy Kopp supported it.

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