Read more about the article Ocean City Voters Nix New Limits on Short-Term Rentals
Business Affairs / Economic Development / Elections / Planning and Zoning / Taxes and Revenues
Ocean City Voters Nix New Limits on Short-Term Rentals

In a closely watched special election, Ocean City residents narrowly voted down a proposal that would have significantly limited short-term rentals (STRs) in single-family homes. The referendum, known as Question A, would have imposed a five-night minimum stay requirement for renters in single-family residences, increasing to a 31-night minimum by 2027. These restrictions would not have applied to other property types, such as condos, townhouses, or hotels. Voters rejected the proposal by a slim margin…

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August 4, 2025
Read more about the article PJM Capacity Auction Will Send Energy Prices Soaring
Business Affairs / Energy
PJM Capacity Auction Will Send Energy Prices Soaring

Maryland residents should brace for higher electricity rates after PJM’s latest capacity auction reached the federal price cap, underscoring growing reliability concerns and a supply-demand mismatch across the grid. Electricity bills are likely to increase again across Maryland in 2026, following a recent capacity auction by PJM Interconnection, which coordinates electricity for 65 million people across 13 states, including Maryland. The capacity auction is PJM’s tool for securing a sufficient electricity supply to meet future…

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July 24, 2025
Read more about the article Richmond Fed to Spotlight Maryland’s Workforce Trends
Business Affairs / County News / Labor / News You Can Use
Richmond Fed to Spotlight Maryland’s Workforce Trends

The Federal Reserve Bank of Richmond is hosting a public forum in Baltimore to examine labor force participation trends in Maryland, featuring insights from economists, workforce leaders, and Maryland Comptroller Brooke Lierman. The event will explore challenges and opportunities shaping who is — and isn’t — in the workforce. Titled “Maximizing Employment: Understanding Labor Force Participation,” the forum will take place on Thursday, June 26, from 8:30 am to 11:00 am, at the Richmond Fed’s…

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June 9, 2025
Read more about the article When Tech Booms, Who Pays? Data Centers and the Power Bill Problem
Business Affairs / Energy / Information Technology
When Tech Booms, Who Pays? Data Centers and the Power Bill Problem

As artificial intelligence becomes a fixture in both the private and public sectors, local governments may face a new challenge in protecting residents from incurring the costs associated with the growing power demands of the technology. A recent Government Technology article highlights a new report from energy research firm Wood Mackenzie warning that the rapid expansion of data centers could lead to higher electricity bills for residential consumers. These centers are essential to AI, cloud computing,…

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May 28, 2025
Read more about the article Maryland Corps/Service Year Option: Apply by June 1
Business Affairs / County News / Employee Benefits and Relations / News You Can Use
Maryland Corps/Service Year Option: Apply by June 1

Maryland’s Service Year and Corps programs are connecting purpose-driven talent with employers ready to shape the state’s future workforce. The next application deadline is June 1st. As previously covered by MACo, the Service Year Option program provides recent Maryland high school graduates, GED recipients, or those who have earned a high school completion certificate the opportunity to spend at least nine months with partnering organizations that support their growth and development. In turn, the opportunities…

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May 15, 2025
Read more about the article Upper Shore Council and County Partners Highlight Startup Success
Business Affairs / County News / Economic Development
Upper Shore Council and County Partners Highlight Startup Success

The Upper Shore Regional Council (USRC) brought together local startups, lenders, and community leaders to spotlight homegrown innovation and support entrepreneurs across Cecil, Kent, and Queen Anne’s counties. Recently, the Upper Shore STRT1UP Roadshow returned to Washington College, highlighting entrepreneurship across Cecil, Kent, and Queen Anne’s counties. Now in its second year, the event featured eight promising startups, providing a platform for innovation, networking, and real financial support for local businesses in Maryland’s Upper Shore…

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May 8, 2025
Read more about the article California County Finds Success Supporting Home-Based Child Care Startups
Business Affairs / County News / Economic Development / Health and Human Services
California County Finds Success Supporting Home-Based Child Care Startups

A program in Stanislaus County, California, is helping residents open licensed home-based child care businesses and creating hundreds of new child care slots. In an article from NACo, Stanislaus County partnered with Nurture, a nonprofit that helps launch home child-care businesses to develop a new project. The In-Home Child Care Expansion Project is a 12-week training program developed by the county where participants learn core business skills, like budgeting, recordkeeping, marketing, and parent communication. Additionally,…

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May 8, 2025
Read more about the article Minneapolis’ Introduces Cloud Tools for Efficiency in Permitting
Business Affairs / County News / Environment / Health and Human Services
Minneapolis’ Introduces Cloud Tools for Efficiency in Permitting

Minneapolis is showing how local governments can harness cloud-based tools to transform permitting, reduce paperwork, improve service delivery, and save staff time. Minneapolis hosts around 500 food-related events each year, many with amplified music. Each requires a permit and inspection, which used to mean an immense amount of paperwork and a slow, manual process for the city’s Health Department. As reported by Route Fifty, Minneapolis staff previously sorted through handwritten permit applications, made paper copies…

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May 7, 2025
Read more about the article Sanderson Joins “I Hate Politics” Session Wrap-up Podcast
Business Affairs / Energy / Environment / Housing and Community Development / State Budget and Fiscal Issues / Summer Conference
Sanderson Joins “I Hate Politics” Session Wrap-up Podcast

MACo Director Michael Sanderson joined House of Delegates Majority leader David Moon as guests on the "I Hate Politics" podcast, discussing a wide range of topics from the State budget woes and solution to the future of regulatory approaches in Maryland. Will Tight Budgets Bring Deregulation or Impasse? (2025-04-18) Following the end of the Maryland General Assembly 2025 session, House of Delegates Majority Leader David Moon and Maryland Association of Counties Executive Director Michael Sanderson…

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April 24, 2025
Read more about the article Governor Moore Signs Workforce Legislation to Expand Opportunity
Business Affairs / Employee Benefits and Relations
Governor Moore Signs Workforce Legislation to Expand Opportunity

Governor Moore has signed a slate of new laws aimed at strengthening Maryland’s workforce through expanded apprenticeships, inclusive employment policies, and streamlined licensing for health professionals. Governor Wes Moore kicked off the 2025 bill-signing season with some Moore Administration priorities, such as strengthening Maryland's workforce. The Moore Administration and the Maryland General Assembly are committed to building a workforce that reflects the full talent and diversity of Maryland. During the first bill signing of the…

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April 16, 2025
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