Washington - In remarks today to the Council of Governments Board of Directors, Rep. Donna Edwards (D-MD 4th District) stressed that “all Metro stops must be ready to embrace transit-oriented development so we all have a shared equity in where jobs are located.”

Transit-oriented development is a centerpiece of the Council’s Region Forward initiative, which works with the area’s cities and counties to encourage concentrating transportation, retail outlets, housing and employment in Activity Centers, instead of encouraging sprawl across wide areas. A member of the House Transportation and Infrastructure Committee, Congresswoman Edwards also said the federal government must continue to make an appropriate commitment to the region’s Metro system because it is a national system that serves people from around the country and the world.

In addition, Rep. Edwards, who serves on the Space Subcommittee of the Transportation Committee, stressed the importance of the space industry to the region because it supports thousands of jobs.