Read more about the article Federal Regulators Reject PJM’s Proposed Data Center Power Rules
Economic Development / Energy / Planning and Zoning / Transportation and Public Works
Federal Regulators Reject PJM’s Proposed Data Center Power Rules

Federal regulators reject PJM proposals to manage data center electricity demand, raising questions about grid reliability and costs for Maryland customers. Federal energy regulators have rejected two major proposals from PJM Interconnection aimed at managing growing electricity demand from data centers. One proposal would have required large data centers to reduce or shut off power during electricity shortages unless they secured enough new generation to meet their needs. A second proposal would have created a…

Comments Off on Federal Regulators Reject PJM’s Proposed Data Center Power Rules
October 20, 2026
Read more about the article The Briefing Room: The Real Deal on Land Banking
Economic Development / Housing and Community Development / State Budget and Fiscal Issues
The Briefing Room: The Real Deal on Land Banking

What if vacant and abandoned properties could become opportunities for new housing and neighborhood revitalization? In Episode 14 of The Briefing Room, MACo's Dominic Butchko and co-host Terry Hickey, Director of Baltimore County's Department of Housing and Community Development, welcome Baltimore City Council Member Odette Ramos to break down land banking and its potential to address housing challenges across Maryland. Tune in to the Conduit Street Podcast weekly, wherever you get your podcasts! Subscribe to…

Comments Off on The Briefing Room: The Real Deal on Land Banking
October 20, 2026
Read more about the article Prediction Markets, AI Agents, and Who Sets the Rules
County News / Cyber / Economic Development / Government Liability and Courts / Information Technology / Intergovernmental Relations / Public Safety and Corrections / State Budget and Fiscal Issues / Taxes and Revenues
Prediction Markets, AI Agents, and Who Sets the Rules

From betting on election outcomes to AI agents acting on their own, emerging technologies are raising new questions about regulation, accountability, and the role of government. On this week's Conduit Street Podcast, Kevin Kinnally and Michael Sanderson welcome back Ben Yelin of the University of Maryland Center for Health and Homeland Security and the University of Maryland Carey School of Law for a "tech talk" about the rapidly changing technology landscape. Tune in to the…

Comments Off on Prediction Markets, AI Agents, and Who Sets the Rules
October 16, 2026
Read more about the article Federal Grant to Expand Rural Maryland Workforce Training
Cyber / Economic Development / Labor
Federal Grant to Expand Rural Maryland Workforce Training

A $2.38 million federal grant will help nine Maryland colleges and universities strengthen workforce training and connect rural students with internships and employment opportunities in high-demand fields. As covered in a Baltimore Sun article, the Maryland Higher Education Commission (MHEC) announced the Maryland Rural Pathways to Prosperity Network, which aims to serve 1,000 students through career advising and job training. The program will focus on in-demand careers such as aerospace, cybersecurity, education, health care, high-tech…

Comments Off on Federal Grant to Expand Rural Maryland Workforce Training
October 15, 2026
Read more about the article Allegany Finalizes Agreement for 65-Home Redevelopment in Cumberland
County News / Economic Development / Housing and Community Development
Allegany Finalizes Agreement for 65-Home Redevelopment in Cumberland

Allegany County has finalized a development agreement with D.R. Horton to transform the former Allegany High School property into a 65-home residential community, expanding local housing options and returning the site to productive use. The Village Crossing at Campobello project will include at least 44 attached homes and 21 detached homes, with anticipated prices ranging from about $180,000 to under $300,000. The agreement allows D.R. Horton to acquire residential lots in phases as the redevelopment…

Comments Off on Allegany Finalizes Agreement for 65-Home Redevelopment in Cumberland
October 15, 2026
Read more about the article Frederick County To Host First County-Based Farm2Food Accelerator
Agriculture / County News / Economic Development / News You Can Use
Frederick County To Host First County-Based Farm2Food Accelerator

Frederick County will host the first county-based cohort of the NASDA Foundation's Farm2Food Accelerator in January 2027, offering farmers and food businesses training to develop and market products made with locally sourced agricultural ingredients. The Frederick County Office of Agriculture is bringing the 12-week program to the County to help agricultural businesses develop new products and expand their market opportunities. The initiative focuses on value-added agriculture, allowing farmers and food producers to generate additional revenue…

Comments Off on Frederick County To Host First County-Based Farm2Food Accelerator
October 15, 2026
Read more about the article Frederick County Grants Help First-Generation Farmers Grow
Agriculture / Business Affairs / Economic Development
Frederick County Grants Help First-Generation Farmers Grow

Frederick County is using grant funding to help local farmers invest in new equipment, expand their operations, and find new ways to bring agricultural products to market. As covered in a NACo article, Frederick County’s Agriculture Innovation Grant Program is helping local farmers expand operations, develop new products, and strengthen the county’s agricultural economy. Since launching in 2021, the program has awarded more than $1.86 million to 82 agricultural projects. The program provides $250,000 annually…

Comments Off on Frederick County Grants Help First-Generation Farmers Grow
October 15, 2026
Read more about the article Baltimore City Reports Results From Summer Youth Engagement and Safety Strategy
Economic Development / Education / Parks and Recreation / Public Safety and Corrections
Baltimore City Reports Results From Summer Youth Engagement and Safety Strategy

Baltimore City's 2026 summer youth engagement strategy connected thousands of young people with employment, recreation, and educational opportunities while coordinating community-based safety efforts across multiple City agencies. Baltimore City has released results from its BMore this Summer: In the Mix in '26 initiative, which combined youth programming with proactive safety engagement to provide young people with activities, resources, and support outside of school hours. The initiative brought together the Mayor's Office, Baltimore City Recreation &…

Comments Off on Baltimore City Reports Results From Summer Youth Engagement and Safety Strategy
October 14, 2026
Read more about the article MEDA Study Finds Record Return on County Economic Development Investments
County News / Economic Development / News You Can Use
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
October 7, 2026
Read more about the article The Briefing Room: The 21st Century ROAD to Housing Act
County Budgets / County News / Economic Development / Finance and Procurement / Housing and Community Development / Planning and Zoning
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
October 6, 2026
Older Posts