Shantelle Malcolm-Lym, Author at Conduit Street

Bethesda Meeting House Photographed by Allen C. Browne, June 24, 2006

Fun Fact: This Popular Spot in Montgomery County Was Named After a Church – Not the Other Way Around

Before it was home to the National Institute of Health, several of your favorite restaurants, and some of Maryland's most recognizable office buildings, “Bethesda” was simply the name of a small 19th-century church. For a while in the 1800s, the crossroads community was known as Darcy's Store after the general store owned by William E Darcy. But in 1871, by the urging of the pastor of the Bethesda Meeting House, the name of the community…

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February 12, 2026

Howard Earns Highest AAA Credit Rating From All Three Rating Agencies

Howard County has, once again, earned the highest possible credit rating, AAA, from all three bond rating agencies – Fitch Ratings, Moody’s Investor Services, and Standard & Poor’s. Howard County ranks among the top 2% of counties nationwide to earn this vote of confidence based on a stable outlook from experts. Being one of roughly 130 counties with this distinction among approximately 3,100 in the U.S. demonstrates that the County's financial management is fiscally strong,…

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February 12, 2026

NACo and Federal Issues / News You Can Use

Have You Heard About NACo’s Cohorts and Initiatives? Join One Today!

NACo partners with thought leaders, industry partners, and philanthropic organizations to identify and elevate best practices in key areas of county responsibility. NACo programming enhances public understanding of county government and supports the learning and development of America’s county leaders. Program activities may include: Original research on and for counties Topical resource hubs that elevate best and innovative county practices In-person peer exchange events in exemplar counties National networks of county leaders who share similar…

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February 12, 2026

Agriculture / County News / Economic Development

Montgomery To Connect Local Farmers With Institutional Buyers

Montgomery County has launched a new grant program to help small local farms sell their food to schools, hospitals, senior centers, and other institutional buyers, strengthening the region’s food system and expanding market access for farmers. The FY26 Food Aggregation Grant Program, administered by the Montgomery County Office of Food Systems Resilience (OFSR), is designed to close a long-standing gap in the regional food system: strong demand from public institutions for locally grown food, and limited market access for small farms that…

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February 12, 2026

County News / Information Technology

Calvert County Streamlines Land Management Process

The Calvert County departments of Technology Services and Planning & Zoning have collaborated extensively on a major update to the county’s Land Management System. This system is used by several county departments to process and track permits and inspections. Key enhancements to the system included: Integrating architectural review into the permit review workflow Incorporating the Board of Appeals processes directly into the system Updating components of the permitting, site plan and subdivision review processes to…

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February 12, 2026

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

Scholarship Opportunity Supports the Next Generation of County Leaders

The National Association of Counties (NACo), in partnership with Nationwide, is investing in the futures of county families through its annual Deferred Compensation Program scholarship opportunity. Now in its 26th consecutive year, the NACo Deferred Compensation Program will award four $2,500 college scholarships to high school seniors who are the children or grandchildren of county employees participating in the program. The initiative reflects NACo and Nationwide’s ongoing commitment to supporting county employees not only in…

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February 10, 2026

Bill Hearing / County Budgets / County News / General Assembly News / MACo Testimony / Transportation and Public Works

Local Leaders Rally To Avoid Highway User Revenue Cliff

As Maryland lawmakers weigh how to address a looming transportation “cliff,” local leaders are sounding the alarm about what’s at stake for local roads and bridges. 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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February 6, 2026

County Budgets / County News / Economic Development / Education / Emergency Management / Finance and Procurement / Housing and Community Development / News You Can Use

Harford Leverages AAA Rating To Finance Major Projects at 3.3%

Harford County held its annual bond sale on Tuesday, February 3, 2026, borrowing funds for essential public infrastructure at a low 3.3% interest rate, thanks to the county’s AAA bond rating. Harford sold $110 million in AAA-rated consolidated public improvement bonds to the winner among 11 bidders. The bonds will be paid back over 20 years. The county also refunded $44.6 million in existing 2015 bonds at a lower rate of 2.3%, saving $1.5M over…

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February 5, 2026

County News / NACo and Federal Issues / News You Can Use

Registration Open: 2026 NACo Legislative Conference

The 2026 National Association of Counties (NACo) Legislative Conference on February 21-24, 2026, will bring together nearly 2,000 elected and appointed county officials from across the country for a focused discussion on federal policy issues that directly affect local governments. Held annually in Washington, D.C., the NACo Legislative Conference provides counties with a critical opportunity to engage with federal decision-makers at a pivotal moment in the congressional calendar. Over the course of the conference, attendees…

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February 5, 2026

Fun Facts / General Assembly News / News You Can Use

Fun Facts About Maryland’s Legislative Session (You Might Not Learn in Civics Class)

Every year, the Maryland General Assembly convenes for 90 fast-paced days of lawmaking that shape everything from school funding and transportation to housing and public safety. But beyond the hearings, deadlines, and budget debates, the legislative session also comes with its own traditions, quirks, and inside baseball moments. Here are a few fun, and sometimes surprising, facts about Maryland’s legislative session that even seasoned Annapolis watchers still smile about. "Sine Die" is NOT "Sign Die"…

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February 5, 2026