County News / General Assembly News / State Budget and Fiscal Issues / Taxes and Revenues
Board Bumps Up Revenue Projections $130 Million for FY 20

Panel cautions that small uptick is not indicative of long-term economic growth. The Board of Revenue Estimates (BRE) today unanimously to increase the FY 2020 revenue projections for the State of Maryland by $130 million. The Board also set the first official revenue projections for FY 2021 at $19.1 billion – a 1.9% increase over the current estimate for FY 20 revenues. The three-member panel, which includes Comptroller Peter Franchot, State Treasurer Nancy Kopp, and Secretary…

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September 19, 2019
New UAS Facility to Bring Dozens of High-Tech Jobs to Wicomico
Image courtesy of the Maryland Department of Commerce
County News
New UAS Facility to Bring Dozens of High-Tech Jobs to Wicomico

An 8,000 square-foot Unmanned Aircraft System (UAS) flight facility will bring dozens of new high-tech jobs to Wicomico County. “Our airport is already a huge economic engine and our new drone operations center will add to that impact and further diversify business in Wicomico,” said Wicomico County Executive Bob Culver. “We appreciate Maryland’s partnership and commitment to our effort in growing our airport and economy.” According to a Maryland Department of Commerce press release: Located…

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September 19, 2019
Montgomery Council Aims to Curb Youth Vaping Epidemic
County News
Montgomery Council Aims to Curb Youth Vaping Epidemic

In response to multiple deaths and hundreds of vaping-related illnesses across the country, coupled with the sharp rise in youth vaping, the Montgomery County Council will consider two proposals aimed at keeping vape shops and vape products away from local schools. Montgomery County Council Members Gabe Albornoz, and Craig Rice introduced Zoning Text Amendment (ZTA) 19-06, which would prohibit vape shops that sell e-cigarettes and similar products from opening within a half-mile of a public…

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September 19, 2019
Finance and Procurement / NACo and Federal Issues
Fed Slices Interest Rate for Second Time this Year

The Federal Reserve today lowered its benchmark interest rate by 25 basis points, the second time this year the central bank has cut rates in an attempt to insulate the United States economy from a potential global slowdown. The new interest rate is now 1.75 percent to 2 percent, according to a press release. The Fed said it continues to see a continuation of economic growth, a robust labor market, and inflation near 2% as “the…

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September 18, 2019
St. Mary’s Making Progress on New Innovation District
County News
St. Mary’s Making Progress on New Innovation District

St Mary's County, in partnership with the State, the University System of Maryland, the regional airport, and several local businesses, is launching a new innovation district. An innovation district is a geographic area where anchor institutions and companies cluster and connect with small firms, start-ups, business incubators, accelerators. St. Mary’s County Regional Airport and its surrounding areas have undergone a transformation in recent years due to increased investment and interest by the private sector, the…

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September 17, 2019
Carroll Increases Security at County Office Building
County News / News You Can Use / Public Safety and Corrections
Carroll Increases Security at County Office Building

To enhance the safety of all who visit and work at the Carroll County Office Building in Westminster, sheriff's deputies will be posted at the front entrance beginning on Thursday, September 19th. The change marks the first step of the County's plan to enhance security at the complex. In August, the Board of Commissioners (BOC) voted unanimously to move forward with security enhancements  – including sheriff's deputies – for the County Office Building, including an…

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September 17, 2019
Allegany to Host National Voter Registration Day Open House
County News / Elections / News You Can Use
Allegany to Host National Voter Registration Day Open House

The Allegany County Board of Elections will be hosting an open house to celebrate National Voter Registration Day on Tuesday, September 24, 2019, from 10:00 A.M. to 3:00 P.M. Staff members will be on hand to take voter registration applications, election judge applications, demonstrate voting equipment, and answer questions from the public. According to a press release: National Voter Registration Day is a national holiday celebrating our democracy. The first National Voter Registration Day was…

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September 17, 2019
County News / Economic Development / Housing and Community Development / NACo and Federal Issues / Planning and Zoning
Public Comment Period Opens for Opportunity Zones Planning

The U.S. Department of Commerce Economic Development Administration (EDA) announced it will accept public comments on its Request for Information (RFI) to help spur economic development in qualified Opportunity Zones and other distressed areas across the country. The public comment period closes on October 18, 2019, and counties are encouraged to share their local perspective on the EDA proposal. The Opportunity Zone program is a nationwide initiative administered by the U.S. Treasury created under the 2017 Tax…

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September 16, 2019
Frederick Launches Text Alerts to Enhance Public Safety at Special Events
County News / Emergency Management / Information Technology / Public Safety and Corrections
Frederick Launches Text Alerts to Enhance Public Safety at Special Events

Frederick County is making it easier for residents to get notified in case of an emergency. The Frederick County Division of Emergency Management announced that Alert Frederick County, the County’s official emergency notification program, now offers an opt-in text service to provide emergency information to attendees of large-scale special events in Frederick County. “We are leveraging technology so the public can stay informed in a way that is easy and convenient to them,” County Executive Jan…

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September 16, 2019
Feds Issue Termination Notice to Hagerstown Regional Airport
County News / NACo and Federal Issues / Transportation and Public Works
Feds Issue Termination Notice to Hagerstown Regional Airport

The United States Department of Transportation (USDOT) plans to terminate funding for Essential Air Service (EAS) at Hagerstown Regional Airport (HGR). The program supports air service between rural areas and major airline hubs. The notice, which takes effect on Oct. 18, 2019, threatens the viability of Southern Airlines' daily flights from HGR to Baltimore (BWI) and Pittsburgh (PIT). According to Washington County — which is appealing the termination notice — HGR has met all of the…

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September 14, 2019
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