Talbot County Approves Local 911 Fee Increase

The Talbot County Council unanimously voted on the first local 911 fee increase in almost 20 years. A resolution to amend the 911 fee for Talbot County, increasing the fee from $0.75 per month to $1.50 per month was introduced on April 11, 2023 with a public hearing held on April 25, 2023. The last increase from $0.50 to $0.75 was enacted in 2004. Maryland’s 9-1-1 system is an integral part of emergency communication services…

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Department of Housing and Community Development Announces State Revitalization Programs

The Maryland Department of Housing and Community Development announced the Fiscal Year 2024 application round for seven State Revitalization Programs opened on April 26, 2023. These programs offer funding to support local housing, community and economic development and other revitalization projects. They are part of the department’s commitment to helping the state’s local governments and nonprofit agencies achieve their community revitalization and economic development goals. Specifically, Governor Wes Moore’s Fiscal Year 2024 budget includes the…

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Fitch Upgrades Anne Arundel County’s Bond Rating to ‘AAA’

County Executive Steuart Pittman announced that Anne Arundel County's bond rating has been upgraded to ‘AAA’, by Fitch Ratings, becoming one of 52 counties in the nation with a triple-A rating from all three major credit agencies. “This recent rating upgrade rewards us for the four years of responsible budgeting that allows us to make long-overdue investments in the future of our county,” said County Executive Pittman. “I want to thank the budget and finance…

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Frederick County Awarded Energy Administration Grant to Improve Residential Energy Efficiency 

The Frederick County Division of Energy and Environment has been awarded $571,948 from the Maryland Energy Administration as part of its Low-to-Moderate Income Grant Program. These funds will support the Power Saver Retrofits Program, which works to improve home energy efficiency for Frederick County residents. “Improving our energy efficiency makes good environmental sense, and it makes good economic sense,” County Executive Jessica Fitzwater said. “ I am excited the Power Saver Retrofits funding will help…

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NACo Seeks County Input on Behavioral Health Challenges

National Association of County's is seeking input on behavioral health challenges.  The survey on behavioral health comes right before the start of Mental Health Awareness month in May. The survey has three goals: 1. Learn about the challenges facing counties that seek to provide behavioral health services and programs, including what resources these counties need; 2. Assess the impacts – especially, the financial and human impacts – of behavioral health conditions on county government services and…

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Calvert County Awards Small Business Assistance Grants

The Calvert County Department of Economic Development is pleased to announce it has awarded nearly $1.2 million in grant funding to 39 local small businesses through the Calvert County Small Business Assistance Grant Fund. The grant fund was established to provide financial assistance that will help local small business owners grow and strengthen their existing businesses. Businesses selected reach across various industries, including retail, restaurant, building, mechanical and industrial trades, childcare, healthcare, water transportation, legal,…

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Washington County to Transition from Volunteer to Career EMS Program 

The Washington County Board of County Commissioners approved a transition plan to shift the Volunteer Emergency Medical Services (EMS) companies career staffing into County employment. The Division of Emergency Services is authorized to begin transitioning the Volunteer EMS companies career staffing into County employment in the late Spring of 2023. The voluntary transition will begin by transferring staff from Williamsport Fire and EMS and Smithsburg EMS into County employment. Furthermore, the County will begin to evaluate…

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Montgomery County Launches New Permitting Assistance Podcast Series

The Montgomery County Department of Permitting Services (DPS) has introduced a new podcast series to help residents and businesses become more familiar with the permitting process. The first episode is now available. The DPS podcast will connect listeners to permitting department staff including permit technicians, building inspectors, plan reviewers, the fire marshal, field supervisors and code compliance staff. All who will be featured on the podcasts are experts in their various fields. Collectively, they are known as “first…

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Howard County Honors Environmental Services Award Winners

At Howard County’s 16th annual GreenFest event, the County’s Department of Public Works’ Bureau of Environmental Services announced the winners of its fifth annual “Business Recycling and Waste Reduction” and “Green Community Leadership” awards program. "The commitment of these organizations to our community is significant" said Howard County Executive Calvin Ball. "Actions taken by our award winners reaffirms that that there is a role for everyone in the need to preserve and protect our environment. We…

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Frederick County Community Partnership Announces Grant Awards

Frederick County Executive Jessica Fitzwater today announced more than $1.3 million in awards to 39 local nonprofit organizations through the county’s Community Partnership Grant program. Grants will provide food to children; emergency shelter for victims of domestic violence; respite service for caretakers; home repairs for seniors with low income; job skills and education for youth without stable housing; and 2-1-1 crisis services for residents facing addiction, among many other services. County Council President Brad Young…

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