Shantelle Malcolm-Lym, Author at Conduit Street

FY27 Rural Maryland Grant Cycle Now Open

The Rural Maryland Council (RMC) has opened its Fiscal Year 2027 grant cycle, offering funding opportunities to support economic development and long-term sustainability in rural communities across the state. The application process includes two phases, beginning with a Letter of Intent due by May 15, 2026, at 11:59 PM. This year’s cycle includes more than $6 million in funding for two key programs: Rural Maryland Prosperity Investment Fund (RMPIF) Maryland Agricultural Education and Rural Development…

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April 28, 2026

County News / Health and Human Services / Information Technology / News You Can Use

Baltimore Tracks Opioid Settlement Spending With New Dashboard

Baltimore City is adding a new layer of transparency to how opioid settlement funds are being used, launching a public dashboard alongside its first annual report on the Opioid Restitution Fund. The tools offer a clearer look at how funding from opioid litigation is being allocated, tracked, and evaluated as jurisdictions continue responding to the overdose crisis. From the press release: “I am so proud that we are investing Opioid Restitution Fund dollars directly back…

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April 23, 2026

County News / Energy / Environment / Housing and Community Development

Frederick County Uses Libraries To Advance Sustainability Goals

Frederick County is using its library system as a platform to advance sustainability goals, combining energy-efficiency upgrades with expanded access to electric-vehicle infrastructure. Recent projects at libraries in Thurmont, Urbana, and Middletown highlight how everyday public spaces can support broader county priorities around energy use, emissions reduction, and cost savings. At the Thurmont and Urbana Regional libraries, lighting systems were upgraded to energy-efficient LED fixtures, a change expected to deliver both environmental and financial benefits.…

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April 23, 2026

County News / Economic Development / Public Safety and Corrections / School Construction and Capital Budgets / State Budget and Fiscal Issues

Anne Arundel Maintains Triple-A Bond Rating

Anne Arundel County has once again earned a Triple-A bond rating from all three major credit rating agencies, marking the fourth consecutive year the county has received the highest possible designation. The ratings were reaffirmed by Fitch Ratings, Moody’s Ratings, and S&P Global Ratings, placing Anne Arundel among a small group of counties nationwide (roughly 1.5%) to hold top-tier ratings across all three agencies. From the press release: “Since the beginning of my administration, we…

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April 23, 2026

County Budgets / County News / Education / Housing and Community Development / Intergovernmental Relations

3 Takeaways on Counties, Policy, and Power

Most of the services people rely on every day, from roads and schools to public health and recycling, don’t come from Washington. They come from counties. That idea sits at the center of a recent conversation between Anne Arundel County Executive Steuart Pittman and Maryland Association of Counties (MACo) Executive Director Michael Sanderson, who joined the Pittman and Friends podcast to talk through how state policy decisions play out at the local level. The discussion…

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April 22, 2026

County Budgets / County News / Economic Development / Education / Public Safety and Corrections / School Construction and Capital Budgets / Taxes and Revenues

Baltimore County Unveils $5B Budget Focused on Public Safety, Schools, and Affordability

Baltimore County has released its proposed $5 billion Fiscal Year 2027 budget, outlining a spending plan centered on public safety, education, infrastructure, and cost-of-living pressures, all without raising taxes. The proposal reflects an effort to balance continued investment in core services with maintaining the county’s strong financial standing, including its Triple-A bond rating. Core Priorities: The FY2027 proposal directs funding toward several areas that residents are most likely to see directly, including: public safety and…

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April 21, 2026

Education

Apply Now: Maryland Certified Public Manager Program

Applications are now open for the Maryland Certified Public Manager® (CPM) Program, a leadership development opportunity for public sector professionals across the state. Offered through the Schaefer Center for Public Policy at the University of Baltimore, the program is designed for supervisors, managers, and executives working in state, local, and municipal government, as well as nonprofit organizations. The Class of 2027 application deadline is June 1, 2026. About the Program The Certified Public Manager® program…

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April 21, 2026

County Budgets / County News / Economic Development / Education / Elections / Energy / Environment / General Assembly News / Housing and Community Development / Information Technology / Intergovernmental Relations / MACo Testimony / Public Safety and Corrections / Transportation and Public Works

Conduit Street Podcast: 90 Days Later — Sine Die Recap

This Week on the Conduit Street Podcast, we bring you an episode fresh from Sine Die to break down the 2026 legislative session from start to finish. Tune in to the Conduit Street Podcast weekly, wherever you get your podcasts! Subscribe to the Conduit Street Blog and stay in the know!

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April 17, 2026

County News / NACo Achievement Awards

Deadline Extended: Apply Now for NACo’s 2026 Achievement Awards

Counties have more time to showcase their innovation. The National Association of Counties (NACo) has extended the submission deadline for its 2026 Achievement Awards to April 15, giving counties additional time to apply and highlight impactful local programs. The Achievement Awards program is a non-competitive recognition initiative that celebrates innovative county government programs across 18 categories, spanning a wide range of county responsibilities. One program in each category will be selected as a “Best of…

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April 14, 2026

County News / Elections / Information Technology / Intergovernmental Relations

Conduit Street Podcast: Elections, Federal Executive Orders, and What’s Real

This week on the Conduit Street Podcast, Kevin Kinnally sits down with Maryland State Administrator of Elections, Jared DeMarinis, to cut through the noise surrounding recent federal election activity and what it actually means for Maryland. Tune in to the Conduit Street Podcast weekly, wherever you get your podcasts! Subscribe to the Conduit Street Blog and stay in the know!

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April 10, 2026