Read more about the article The Briefing Room: Inside the Private Side of Housing Finance
County Budgets / Economic Development / Finance and Procurement / Housing and Community Development
The Briefing Room: Inside the Private Side of Housing Finance

Building affordable housing takes more than public funding. Private lenders and investors play a critical role in turning plans into completed projects. In Episode 4 of The Briefing Room's housing finance series, Dom Butchko and Terry Hickey are joined by Jordan Bishop of JPMorganChase to explore the private side of the capital stack - the financing that helps transform housing plans into completed communities.   Tune in to the Conduit Street Podcast weekly, wherever you…

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July 21, 2026
Read more about the article Governor Approves Expanded Enterprise Zones in Baltimore City, Frederick, Kent
County News / Economic Development / Finance and Procurement / News You Can Use
Governor Approves Expanded Enterprise Zones in Baltimore City, Frederick, Kent

Governor Wes Moore today announced the approval of three Enterprise Zone actions that will expand economic development opportunities in Baltimore City, Kent County, and Frederick County. The Maryland Department of Commerce approved a 120-acre expansion of Baltimore City's Enterprise Zone, an expansion and redesignation of the Chestertown-Kent County Enterprise Zone, and the redesignation of the City of Brunswick Enterprise Zone. Enterprise Zones are designated areas where eligible businesses may qualify for State income tax credits…

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July 13, 2026
Read more about the article Trivia Competition: In the Public Interest
Finance and Procurement / Summer Conference
Trivia Competition: In the Public Interest

MACo’s 2026 Summer Conference Solutions Showcase features thought leaders and industry experts presenting resources and best practices to assist local governments. Check out this session hosted by three+one!  About three+one:  three+one® is a financial technology company dedicated to helping public entities, higher education institutions, and K-12 school districts maximize the value of their public funds through data-driven liquidity management. Its proprietary solutions provide objective cash flow analysis, liquidity forecasting, and banking insights that enable organizations to make informed investment and treasury management decisions—generating additional revenue without increasing…

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July 10, 2026
Read more about the article Anne Arundel County Launches New Finance and Procurement Platform
County News / Finance and Procurement / News You Can Use
Anne Arundel County Launches New Finance and Procurement Platform

Anne Arundel County is preparing to launch a new finance and e-procurement system to modernize county operations and improve how businesses interact with local government. The new platform, called Harbor, is scheduled to go live in July and will replace the County’s legacy procurement system with a centralized cloud-based platform built on Oracle Fusion Cloud. County officials say the new system is designed to streamline procurement and financial processes while making it easier for both…

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June 25, 2026
Read more about the article Fed Holds Rates Steady, Signals Inflation Concerns
Finance and Procurement / News You Can Use
Fed Holds Rates Steady, Signals Inflation Concerns

The Federal Reserve left interest rates unchanged this week, maintaining the federal funds rate in a target range of 3.5% to 3.75%. While the Fed left rates unchanged, updated projections from policymakers point toward a different outlook than earlier this year. Federal Reserve officials now expect interest rates to finish 2026 slightly higher than current levels, reversing projections issued three months ago that anticipated rate cuts. The Federal Open Market Committee described the economy as…

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June 18, 2026
Read more about the article Governor Moore Executive Order Promotes MD Wood Products in State-Funded Projects
County News / Economic Development / Finance and Procurement / Transportation and Public Works
Governor Moore Executive Order Promotes MD Wood Products in State-Funded Projects

A new Executive Order from Governor Moore encourages State agencies to prioritize Maryland-sourced wood products in public projects. Governor Moore issued an Executive Order directing Maryland State agencies to prioritize the use of in-state wood products in public projects whenever wood is an appropriate and cost-competitive building material. The order aims to strengthen Maryland's forest products industry while advancing sustainable economic development and responsible forest management. According to the announcement, Maryland's forestry and wood products…

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June 17, 2026
Read more about the article State Sells $800M in Bonds for Schools and Infrastructure
Finance and Procurement / School Construction and Capital Budgets
State Sells $800M in Bonds for Schools and Infrastructure

Just days after receiving AAA ratings from Fitch, S&P, and KBRA, Maryland completed an $800 million general obligation bond sale, securing favorable borrowing rates for future capital projects. The Board of Public Works approved the sale on Wednesday as part of the State and Local Facilities Loan of 2026. The bonds will help finance school construction, higher ed facilities, environmental projects, public safety improvements, and other infrastructure investments across Maryland. The sale attracted seven bids…

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June 4, 2026
Read more about the article State Retains AAA Rating as S&P Lowers Outlook to Negative
Finance and Procurement / State Budget and Fiscal Issues
State Retains AAA Rating as S&P Lowers Outlook to Negative

Maryland’s latest credit reviews preserved the State’s top-tier rating but also raised new concerns about long-term fiscal pressures and future budget sustainability. Maryland retained its top-tier credit standing this week as Fitch Ratings affirmed the State’s AAA issuer and general obligation bond ratings and assigned a AAA rating to $800 million in new GO bonds. At the same time, S&P Global Ratings also assigned a AAA rating to Maryland’s new 2026 GO bonds and affirmed…

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May 26, 2026
Read more about the article MD Authorizes Cash Transaction Rounding Amid Penny Shortage
Business Affairs / County News / Finance and Procurement / News You Can Use
MD Authorizes Cash Transaction Rounding Amid Penny Shortage

Maryland businesses can now round specified cash transactions to the nearest five cents following legislation responding to the growing national penny shortage. The change follows the US Treasury’s November 2025 decision to stop producing new pennies for circulation, creating increasing difficulty for businesses trying to provide exact change during cash transactions. While pennies remain legal tender and continue circulating through the Federal Reserve system, the shortage prompted lawmakers to authorize limited rounding flexibility for merchants…

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May 14, 2026
Read more about the article Pro-Housing Measure Broadens County Options for Public Improvement Bonds
County News / Finance and Procurement / Housing and Community Development
Pro-Housing Measure Broadens County Options for Public Improvement Bonds

As housing affordability and development costs remain top concerns across Maryland, state lawmakers have advanced a measure to give counties greater flexibility in how they support new development. During the 2026 legislative session, the Maryland General Assembly passed HB 1216 – Insurance – Certificates of Guarantee for County Bond Requirements – All Counties, a MACo-supported bill that expands an existing tool for satisfying local bonding requirements. Under current law, only a limited number of counties…

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April 22, 2026
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