From career exploration and apprenticeships to small-business development, agriculture, historic preservation, and recreation, Howard County earned national recognition for programs that create new opportunities for residents and strengthen the communities around them.

Several of the County’s 2026 NACo Achievement Award winners focus on helping young people understand where their interests can lead. Howard County’s Virtual Career Exploration Program uses immersive virtual reality simulations and career coaching to allow middle and high school students to explore more than 60 occupations without the transportation and scheduling barriers of traditional job shadowing. Since 2024, 3,332 students have completed more than 4,000 VR career modules, with 80% reporting increased career knowledge and skills.

The County’s Digital Technology Career Pipeline similarly introduces students to careers in AI, data analytics, cybersecurity, and other fields. More than 200 students have participated in career exploration fairs, while 50 have gone on to competitive job shadowing with local employers. For residents ready to enter the workforce, Howard County’s Apprenticeship Program connects education, industry, and public investment through earn-and-learn opportunities tied to in-demand careers.

Economic development programs also earned recognition. The Cyber Howard Accelerator provides early-stage cybersecurity companies with mentorship, commercialization support, investor preparation, and connections to federal and enterprise markets, building on Howard County’s place within one of the nation’s major cybersecurity corridors. In Old Ellicott City, the award-winning Market at Caplan’s combines economic development with historic preservation. A former department store, previously slated for demolition after devastating floods, was transformed into a flood-resilient retail incubator. During its first operational period, the Market generated 1,869 transactions and more than $54,900 in sales while supporting 76 local vendors.

Agriculture is another major part of Howard County’s award-winning portfolio. Programs include the New and Beginning Farmers Program, which reduces barriers to entering agriculture through training and shared resources; HoCo Fresh, a marketing campaign supporting farmers, agritourism businesses, restaurants, and retailers; and the Farm-to-Fork Face-Off, which brings local chefs and farms together in a public culinary competition centered on Howard County-grown ingredients.

Howard County’s investments in community life extend beyond jobs and businesses. The County earned recognition for transforming its historic 1843 courthouse into the Capitoline Center, an $18 million adaptive reuse project housing arts, cultural, and community programming. Recreation programs also expanded access and opportunity. Camp Outrageous provides a lower-cost traditional summer camp experience for Title I families, while Howard County Recreation and Parks created a free Girls Flag Football league so students could begin playing before the sport was expected to become an official school offering.

Other winners include Junior Park Ranger and Read with a Ranger programs, agricultural education initiatives, business financing programs, arts and culture projects, and efforts to transform major corridors and business districts. Taken together, the awards highlight a broad approach to economic and community development, one that connects people with careers, gives businesses room to grow, supports local agriculture, preserves community assets, and creates more ways for residents to participate in county life. To learn more and see the full list of awards visit the awards page on the NACo website.

These honors are part of 165 NACo Achievement Awards earned by Maryland counties this year, recognizing programs and services across nearly every area of local government.