On behalf of the Strathmore Hall Foundation, Inc., I write in strong support of the $750,000 capital grant recommended for approval under the Maryland Consolidated Capital Bond Loan of 2024, Item 2-CGL. This funding will be used for essential capital improvements at the Music Center at Strathmore, including repairs to the sky bridge, upgrades to commercial kitchen equipment, improvements to our IT and network infrastructure, and other capital purchases. Strathmore is proud to be a multidisciplinary arts organization serving the residents of Montgomery County and the entire State of Maryland. As a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization operating under a public-private partnership with Montgomery County, we steward a remarkable 16-acre campus that includes the Music Center at Strathmore, the historic Mansion at Strathmore, and the surrounding grounds. We prioritize expanding access to the arts through performance, education, and community engagement. Each year, Strathmore serves more than 200,000 people, including over 35,000 students, families, and educators through programs that are free or heavily subsidized. We host world-class performances in partnership with institutions like the Baltimore Symphony Orchestra, National Philharmonic, Washington Performing Arts, and many others. We also operate residency and mentorship programs for young artists, offer arts-integrated curricula in public schools, and provide welcoming venues for civic and cultural celebrations that reflect the diversity of our region. The planned capital improvements are not only necessary for the upkeep of our facility but are critical to our ability to serve the public effectively and safely. Repairs to the pedestrian sky bridge and sky bridge roof address structural and safety concerns. Our commercial kitchen equipment—which supports our catering, retail food enterprises, and public events—has reached the end of its useful life and needs replacement. Investments in production equipment, other facility improvements, and network infrastructure are also essential to support the smooth operation of performances, accessibility, educational programming, and administrative functions in an increasingly digital environment. As stewards of a public facility entrusted to us by Montgomery County, we approach this work with a deep sense of responsibility and urgency. The requested funds will allow us to preserve and enhance the physical infrastructure of one of Maryland’s most prominent cultural institutions, ensuring that Strathmore remains an accessible and inspiring space for future generations. We are grateful for the State’s continued investment in arts infrastructure and respectfully urge your favorable consideration and approval of this grant.