Shantelle Malcolm-Lym, Author at Conduit Street

Session Updates on Housing, Budget Pressure, and the Road to Crossover

This week on the Conduit Street Podcast, we check in on the 2026 Maryland General Assembly session as lawmakers approach the critical crossover deadline. 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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March 6, 2026

Business Affairs / County Government and Structure / County News / Economic Development / Finance and Procurement

Frederick County Names New Leaders for Economic Opportunity and Procurement

Frederick County has announced the appointment of Heather Gramm as director of the Division of Economic Opportunity and Jamille Wilson as director of the Office of Procurement and Contracting. The County Council confirmed both appointments on March 3, 2026. From the press release: “Heather Gramm is a trusted and respected leader who has dedicated her career to economic development in Frederick County, across Maryland, and beyond,” County Executive Fitzwater said. “Her deep knowledge of Frederick…

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March 5, 2026

Education / Higher Education / NACo and Federal Issues / News You Can Use

Celebrating Maryland’s 2025 NACo Leadership Academy Graduates – Join the Next Cohort!

MACo is pleased to congratulate the National Association of Counties (NACo) Leadership Development Academy 2025 cohort of Maryland graduates. They join over 15,000 graduates and current participants from across the country benefitting from the 10-week online program enabling existing and emerging county leaders to achieve their highest potential. Congratulations, again, to the following Maryland graduates: Agnes Adjei, Engineer II, Charles County Aminah Bushrod, Deputy Director of Technical Services, Prince George's County Amy Crooks, Community Health Nurse…

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March 5, 2026

Business Affairs / County News / Employee Benefits and Relations / Labor / News You Can Use

Montgomery County Minimum Wage Set To Increase July 1

On July 1, the minimum hourly wage in Montgomery County will increase to $18.00 for large employers, $16.50 for mid-sized employers, and $15.95 for small employers These adjustments are based on a 2.0 percent increase in the consumer price index for all urban wage earners and clerical workers in the Washington, D.C.-Arlington-Alexandria area in 2025. The annual increase ensures the local minimum wage keeps pace with inflation. “This minimum wage adjustment reflects our commitment to…

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March 5, 2026

County News / Housing and Community Development / Planning and Zoning

Baltimore County Announces Permitting Ombudsman To Help Navigate Development Process

Baltimore County has announced a new resource designed to help residents, businesses, and developers navigate the permitting process more efficiently. The Department of Permits, Approvals, and Inspections (PAI) has established a Permits, Approvals, and Inspections Ombudsman position to assist applicants who may be unsure how to begin the permitting process, need help identifying the correct contacts, or are experiencing challenges moving a project forward. The new role is intended to serve as a neutral resource that…

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March 5, 2026

Fun Fact

Fun Fact: How Many County Associations Exist Across the United States?

If you follow local government issues in Maryland, you're probably familiar with the Maryland Association of Counties (MACo) - the statewide organization representing Maryland's 23 counties and Baltimore City. But did you know that nearly every state in the United States has its own association of counties/local government? Out of the 50 states, 47 states have at least one state association. There is a total of 53 state associations with some states having more than…

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March 5, 2026

County News / Education / Human Resources / Leadership / News You Can Use

New Leadership Cohort Launches for County Administrators and HR Leaders

A new leadership development opportunity is launching for county leaders responsible for workforce strategy, organizational culture, and team performance. The Workforce Network Leadership Program is a 10-week online cohort designed specifically for county administrators, human resources professionals, and their teams. The program focuses on strengthening leadership capacity across local governments while providing practical tools for managing people, aligning departments, and leading organizational change. The program is built specifically for local government leaders and allows participants…

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March 4, 2026

County News / Economic Development / Human Resources / News You Can Use

Federal Workforce Program Connects Older Workers With Local Agencies

The Senior Community Service Employment Program (SCSEP) is offering a unique opportunity to county agencies and nonprofit organizations looking to expand their workforce. The federally funded program connects older job seekers (age 55 and older) with community-serving organizations, including government agencies and nonprofits. Through the program, participants receive workforce training while supporting the mission of host organizations across their communities. SCSEP places participants in part-time roles with “Host Agencies,” where they gain valuable on-the-job experience…

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March 4, 2026

Cyber / Finance and Procurement / Information Technology / NACo and Federal Issues / News You Can Use

NACo EDGE Webinar: Cyber Resilience in County Finance

On Friday, March 6, 2026, from 2:00–3:00 p.m. EST, NACo EDGE will host a timely webinar focused on strengthening cyber resilience in county finance operations. County finance offices sit at the center of local government operations, managing payroll, vendor payments, tax revenues, and sensitive financial data. As cyber threats grow more sophisticated, public sector finance teams are increasingly being targeted. The webinar titled, "Cyber Resilience in County Finance: Protecting What Matters Most," will address these…

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February 26, 2026

County News / Economic Development / News You Can Use

New Analysis Projects $1.5B Economic Impact From Sphere National Harbor

Prince George’s County Executive Aisha Braveboy and Governor Wes Moore, with Sphere Entertainment Co. and Peterson Companies, unveiled a new economic analysis that demonstrates how the recently announced Sphere National Harbor venue would drive significant economic benefits for Prince George’s County and the State of Maryland. From the press release: “We knew immediately Sphere National Harbor was going to be transformational. This new economic data has reconfirmed how amazing a win this is for the…

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February 26, 2026