Economic Development Archives

Blueprint Check-In: The Educators’ View

Five years into implementation of the Blueprint for Maryland’s Future, how is Maryland’s sweeping education reform plan affecting the people responsible for bringing it to life in classrooms and schools across the state? Sarah Sample continues her Conduit Street Podcast series examining the Blueprint from different perspectives across Maryland’s education community. 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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September 25, 2026

County News / Economic Development / Housing and Community Development / News You Can Use

Community Development Conference Heads to Baltimore County This October

Community development professionals from Maryland and across the country will gather in Baltimore County this October for four days of training, networking, and discussions on housing, economic development, homelessness, and community resilience. The National Association for County Community and Economic Development (NACCED) will hold its 51st Annual Educational Conference and Training October 5-8, 2026, at the Sheraton Baltimore North Hotel in Towson. Hosted in partnership with Baltimore County, this year’s conference, “Harnessing Momentum, Driving Change,”…

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September 23, 2026

County Budgets / Economic Development / Housing and Community Development

The Briefing Room: Baltimore City’s War on Vacancy

For decades, vacant and abandoned properties have been one of Baltimore City’s most persistent challenges. Now, the numbers are moving in a different direction. Vacant homes have fallen from more than 16,000 to fewer than 12,000 during Mayor Brandon Scott’s time in office, while census estimates show Baltimore gaining residents for the first time in a decade. Tune in to the Conduit Street Podcast weekly, wherever you get your podcasts! Subscribe to the Conduit Street…

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September 22, 2026

Economic Development / News You Can Use / Planning and Zoning

Nominations Closing Soon for 2027 Sustainable Growth Awards

Maryland communities have until September 30 to nominate local leaders, projects, and policies for statewide recognition through the 2027 Sustainable Growth Awards. The Maryland Department of Planning and Maryland Sustainable Growth Subcabinet are accepting nominations recognizing efforts that advance sustainable growth at the local level. Awards are presented across three categories: Leadership, Project, and Policy. Eligible nominations must highlight local achievements completed, or expected to be completed, between January 2025 and December 2026. State-level programs…

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September 16, 2026

Economic Development / Energy / Environment / Planning and Zoning / Transportation and Public Works

Deep Dive: A Primer on Data Centers

One of the fastest-growing policy issues facing county governments is the rapid expansion of the data center industry. Historically, data centers attracted relatively limited public attention and were often viewed as low-impact components of the broader digital infrastructure. However, as facilities have grown in size, increased in number, and expanded beyond traditional industrial areas, their impacts have become more visible to nearby communities and policymakers. At the same time, the General Assembly has placed increasing…

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September 16, 2026

County Budgets / Economic Development / Energy / Environment / Finance and Procurement / Information Technology / Planning and Zoning / State Budget and Fiscal Issues / Taxes and Revenues / Transportation and Public Works

WV Builds Data Center Strategy Around Growth and Local Revenue

West Virginia is pairing incentives for data center development with a statewide plan to distribute new revenue among host counties, infrastructure needs, and tax relief. West Virginia is positioning itself as a major destination for data center development, with state officials announcing two new projects valued at more than $81 billion. The announcements build on a broader push that state leaders say has generated approximately $96 billion in private-sector investment and more than 19,000 projected…

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September 8, 2026

County News / Economic Development / Housing and Community Development

The Briefing Room: The Hemlock Grove Playbook

For the final episode of The Briefing Room's housing finance series, the conversation heads west to Garrett County, where local leaders are putting many of the tools explored throughout the series into practice. Dom Butchko and Baltimore County Housing and Community Development Director Terry Hickey are joined by Garrett County Commissioner Paul Edwards and Liz Georg of the Garrett County Housing Commission to explore Hemlock Grove, an innovative housing development designed to address a challenge…

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September 1, 2026

Economic Development / Education / Health and Human Services / NACo Achievement Awards

Montgomery Takes Top Honors for Programs Expanding Opportunity and Connection

Montgomery County earned national recognition for programs expanding access to child care, recreation, education, and community support for residents across generations. Leading the County’s 2026 National Association of Counties (NACo) Achievement Awards is the EquiCare Grant Program, which earned Best in Category in Children and Youth. EquiCare was created to address a gap facing families who need high-quality early childhood education but are ineligible for traditional subsidies. The program funds dedicated seats for infants and…

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August 27, 2026

County Budgets / County News / Economic Development / Feature / Housing and Community Development

The Briefing Room: Preservation as a Housing Strategy

Building new housing is only part of the affordability challenge. Counties also need tools to preserve the affordable homes already in their communities. In Episode 7 of The Briefing Room's housing finance series, Dom Butchko and Terry Hickey are joined by Jonathan R. Butler, Director of the Prince George’s County Department of Housing & Community Development, to explore preservation as a housing strategy. Tune in to the Conduit Street Podcast weekly, wherever you get your…

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August 25, 2026

Economic Development / Summer Conference / Tourism

Tourism Through Connection: Leveraging Maryland’s Existing Assets

Transportation networks, tourism assets, and regional partnerships are helping Maryland counties strengthen local economies by connecting visitors to destinations in new ways. During the 2026 MACo Summer Conference session, “Connecting Visitors to Maryland: Transportation, Tourism, & Regional Growth,” Senator Mike McKay moderated a discussion on how counties can leverage existing assets, including airports, railroads, tourism destinations, and regional collaborations, to increase visitation, encourage longer stays, and support economic development. Shannetta Griffin, Executive Director and CEO…

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August 20, 2026