Read more about the article Baltimore County Streamlines Development Review, Expands Online Records Access
Rain drops rippling in a puddle
Baltimore County Streamlines Development Review, Expands Online Records Access

Baltimore County has launched a new online groundwater records portal and standardized stormwater requirements for certain agricultural projects, expanding efforts to simplify regulatory processes and improve access to county services.   The improvements are part of Baltimore County Builds, an ongoing initiative to make development, permitting, and regulatory processes more efficient and easier to navigate for residents, businesses, and property owners. The County's new Ground Water Management Records Portal provides 24/7 access to public records…

Comments Off on Baltimore County Streamlines Development Review, Expands Online Records Access
The Briefing Room: Breaking Down Private Equity in Housing

Private equity has become an increasingly prominent part of the housing conversation, but its role is often more complicated than the headlines suggest. In Episode 13, Dom and Terry welcome Dave Bramble, Managing Partner of MCB Real Estate, to break down how private equity fits into housing finance, why investors are drawn to the market, and where that capital can help support housing production and preservation.   Tune in to the Conduit Street Podcast weekly,…

Comments Off on The Briefing Room: Breaking Down Private Equity in Housing
Blueprint Check-In: The Local School Board Perspective

Five years into the Blueprint for Maryland’s Future, how are local school boards navigating the challenges of turning statewide education reforms into reality? In the latest installment of the Conduit Street Podcast’s education reform series, MACo’s Sarah Sample sits down with Joseph Goetz, Executive Director of the Maryland Association of Boards of Education (MABE), to examine the Blueprint from the perspective of Maryland’s 24 local school boards. Tune in to the Conduit Street Podcast weekly,…

Comments Off on Blueprint Check-In: The Local School Board Perspective
Frederick County Secures New Funding To Expand Reforestation Program

Frederick County is expanding its Creek ReLeaf reforestation program with more than $1.5 million in new state and federal grants, supporting efforts to convert eligible land into permanently protected forests. Frederick County's Creek ReLeaf program is accepting applications from landowners who want to convert open or underused land into permanent forests. Eligible property owners with at least two contiguous acres may receive up to $9,000 per acre, along with five years of professional forest maintenance…

Comments Off on Frederick County Secures New Funding To Expand Reforestation Program
Baltimore City’s Recreation & Parks Investments Earn National Recognition

Baltimore City Recreation & Parks has earned its first National Gold Medal Grand Plaque, recognizing the department's work in parks management, recreation services, and long-term planning. Baltimore City Recreation & Parks has received the 2026 National Gold Medal Award Program Grand Plaque, marking the department's first national distinction. Presented by the American Academy for Park and Recreation Administration (AAPRA) in partnership with the National Recreation and Park Association (NRPA), the award recognizes excellence in long-range…

Comments Off on Baltimore City’s Recreation & Parks Investments Earn National Recognition
Baltimore County Launches Toolkit To Support Community-Led Revitalization

Baltimore County has launched a new resource to help community organizations navigate planning, permitting, and other steps involved in improving public spaces and strengthening neighborhoods. The Baltimore County Department of Planning has introduced a new Placemaking Toolkit designed to help residents, neighborhood associations, Main Street groups, and other community organizations turn ideas for public spaces into projects. The toolkit provides step-by-step guidance on navigating permitting requirements, selecting project sites, engaging residents, and hiring artists or…

Comments Off on Baltimore County Launches Toolkit To Support Community-Led Revitalization
Maryland Seeks Election Judges and Pages for 2026 General Election

The Maryland State Board of Elections is encouraging residents to serve as Election Judges and Election Day Pages ahead of the 2026 General Election, helping local election offices prepare for voting later this month. With the 2026 General Election approaching, the Maryland State Board of Elections (SBE) is recruiting Election Judges and Election Day Pages to support election operations across the state's 24 jurisdictions. Marylanders aged 16 and older can earn $250 per day serving…

Comments Off on Maryland Seeks Election Judges and Pages for 2026 General Election
Counties Gain Cooperative Procurement Option for Amazon Business

A new competitively bid contract through NACo’s Public Promise Procurement gives Maryland counties another option for purchasing through Amazon Business, complementing the Business Prime benefits recently made available to eligible MACo members. MACo recently introduced members to complimentary Business Prime benefits available through its partnership with Amazon Business. Now, counties looking to purchase through the Amazon Business Marketplace also have access to a separate cooperative procurement option through the National Association of Counties’ (NACo) Public…

Comments Off on Counties Gain Cooperative Procurement Option for Amazon Business
MEDA Study Finds Record Return on County Economic Development Investments

A new statewide analysis finds that every $1 invested in Maryland county economic development operations generated an average return of $11.67 over the past three fiscal years, the highest recorded since the Maryland Economic Development Association began tracking the data in 2021. The Maryland Economic Development Association (MEDA) reported that the latest three-year average increased from $9.18 in its previous study to $11.67, based on data from fiscal years 2024 through 2026. This year's analysis…

Comments Off on MEDA Study Finds Record Return on County Economic Development Investments
The Briefing Room: The 21st Century ROAD to Housing Act

For much of this series, the housing conversation has centered on what states, counties, developers, and lenders can do to make projects work. But this summer, the federal government reentered the debate in a significant way. Tune in to the Conduit Street Podcast weekly, wherever you get your podcasts! Subscribe to the Conduit Street Blog and stay in the know!

Comments Off on The Briefing Room: The 21st Century ROAD to Housing Act