Commissioner Gilbert “BJ” Bowling's
Key Policy Accomplishments & Initiatives
Commissioner Gilbert “BJ” Bowling has delivered results-driven leadership focused on workforce support, public safety equity, food security, infrastructure, and regional collaboration. His policy record reflects a commitment to fairness, fiscal responsibility, and long-term community resilience.
Championing Employee Support and Leave Policies
Advocating for Equitable Treatment of Public Safety Personnel
Leading Food Security and Local Agriculture Policy
Encouraging Pension Policy Review and Employee Benefits Transparency
Representing Charles County Regionally
Support for Balanced Economic & Infrastructure Growth
Commissioner Bowling publicly advocated for expanded employee leave benefits as part of a broader policy to enhance workforce recruitment, retention, and morale—emphasizing support for organized labor and county employees following morale challenges from prior litigation impacts.
Bowling pushed to extend a one-time $1,000 bonus to include sworn sheriff’s deputies represented by the Fraternal Order of Police, highlighting his focus on fairness and equity in compensation for frontline public safety workers. He submitted an agenda request and voted in favor of inclusion when the issue came before the board, advocating for a formal vote.
Bowling initiated and has been a key leader behind the “Farmers Feeding Charles County” program—an ongoing policy initiative partnering with local nonprofits and public school organizations to address food insecurity by providing fresh produce and meats to underserved residents. This project has grown into broader community outreach, improving local food access and encouraging partner organizations to expand their own food security efforts.
He requested a code update on county pension contribution policies to codify protections for employee and sheriff’s office pensions and allow flexible pension committee decision-making in coordination with budgetary goals. This reflects a policy focus on long-term fiscal responsibility and workforce stability.
Bowling serves as First Vice-Chair of the Tri-County Council for Southern Maryland, helping shape regional cooperation on policy issues across Charles, St. Mary’s, and Calvert counties.
While serving on the commission, Bowling participated in key discussions and votes on county budget and capital policies, including bonding for major infrastructure projects, community improvements, and workforce investments, reflecting his role in strategic economic planning. (Annual reports note his inclusion in the team advancing county priorities in economic development and services.)
Establishment & Strategic Use of the Resilience Authority
Commissioner Bowling supported the implementation and empowerment of the Charles County Resilience Authority, an entity established under county and state law to help the county plan for and finance climate resilience infrastructure and adaptation projects. These include flood mitigation, shoreline stabilization, stormwater improvements, tree canopy enhancements, and other measures that protect county communities and assets from climate impacts like sea-level rise and severe storms.
The Resilience Authority has been active in securing and administering grants for resiliency projects, such as shoreline stabilization and living shoreline implementation in partnership with the Town of Indian Head, which strengthens coastal property protection and ecological habitat while aligning with county sustainability goals.
This authority represents a proactive policy shift toward climate adaptation, environmental stewardship, and strategic infrastructure financing beyond traditional operating budgets and demonstrates a long-term commitment to protecting vulnerable communities.
Leadership on Broadband Expansion & Digital Connectivity
Bowling has championed county efforts to expand broadband access across rural and underserved areas of Charles County — tackling the digital divide that affects education, healthcare access, business growth, and work connectivity.
Under the county’s Broadband initiatives, major buildouts like the North Nanjemoy and Neighborhood Broadband Buildout projects connected hundreds of households previously lacking robust high-speed internet, advancing economic opportunity and quality of life for residents.
The County has also worked with state broadband programs (including Connect Maryland and federal programs) to secure grant funding to extend connectivity into rural neighborhoods and support partnerships with providers — initiatives that Bowling has publicly supported and stressed as essential infrastructure for the 21st-century economy.
Support for an Inclusive Government: Office of Diversity, Equity & Inclusion
As part of broader county goals to foster equitable governance, Charles County established roles and frameworks dedicated to diversity, equity, and inclusion within the county government structure — including the appointment of a Chief Equity Officer and inclusion of DEI offices or functions responsible for developing equity-focused policies and reviewing programs across departments.
Bowling supported this direction as part of the Board’s policy environment, helping propel local government toward more inclusive practices and accountability measures designed to ensure fair access to county services and workforce opportunities for all residents.
Strengthening the Local Defense Economy — Indian Head Naval Base
Bowling has been active in advocating for and partnering with state, federal, and local leaders on matters affecting the Naval Support Facility (NSF) Indian Head, one of Charles County’s largest economic anchors.
The county has worked closely with NSWC Indian Head, including participating in base visits with the Lieutenant Governor and other officials, advancing dialogue between county leadership and military installation leadership on issues like infrastructure, base capacity, and shared community priorities.
Ongoing and planned modernization efforts at Indian Head — including multi-billion-dollar investments in infrastructure, production modernization, and workforce expansion — translate into significant economic growth, job creation, and defense-industry development across the Western Charles Technology Corridor. Local economic development planning, workforce training alignment, and business recruitment around defense sector activity are part of this strategic policy focus.
The base’s growth bolsters the county’s tax base, attracts new private investment, and supports local supply chains — outcomes directly linked to sustained policy engagement by county leadership on defense-related economic strategy.