Read more about the article AI in Government: From Promise To Practice at #MACoCon
County News / Information Technology / Winter Conference
AI in Government: From Promise To Practice at #MACoCon

As artificial intelligence moves from buzzword to backbone, counties are learning how to apply AI in ways that improve services and earn public trust. The "AI in Government: From Promise to Practice" session brought a standing-room-only crowd to MACo’s Winter Conference for a grounded discussion on how counties are moving artificial intelligence from concept to day-to-day operations, and doing so responsibly. Moderated by Washington County Commissioner President John Barr, the session centered on practical applications…

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December 16, 2025
Read more about the article Managing Data Center Growth: A Large County Perspective at #MACoCon
County News / Economic Development / Energy / Information Technology / MACo Events / Planning and Zoning / Winter Conference
Managing Data Center Growth: A Large County Perspective at #MACoCon

At the MACo Winter Conference, the Large County Coalition (LCC) focused on a fast-accelerating issue for counties nationwide: the rapid expansion of data center development and its impacts on residents, land use, energy infrastructure, local services, and long-term planning. With demand surging for cloud services, artificial intelligence, and cybersecurity infrastructure, counties now sit at the center of land use, energy, and long-term planning decisions that carry real fiscal and community impacts. Prince George’s County Council…

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December 16, 2025
Read more about the article Bipartisan Bill Aims to Reinstate Lapsed Cyber Grant Program
County News / Cyber / Information Technology / NACo and Federal Issues
Bipartisan Bill Aims to Reinstate Lapsed Cyber Grant Program

Congress is moving to revive a key federal cybersecurity grant program that counties rely on to protect critical systems and infrastructure. With cyber threats rising and local resources stretched thin, long-term reauthorization is essential for keeping communities safe. As covered in an article from Cybersecurity Dive, a bipartisan effort is underway in Congress to restore a key federal cybersecurity grant program that many state and local governments rely on to protect essential systems and infrastructure.…

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December 4, 2025
Read more about the article Free Webinar: Strengthening Maryland’s Water Cybersecurity
County News / Cyber / Information Technology
Free Webinar: Strengthening Maryland’s Water Cybersecurity

Cyber threats targeting critical infrastructure are growing more sophisticated, and a new initiative gives local systems practical tools to strengthen operational technology defenses. Local water and wastewater utilities have a new opportunity to strengthen their operational technology defenses through a free cybersecurity webinar and year-long support program. The initiative aims to help utilities navigate growing cyber threats, build internal capacity, and access practical tools tailored to the water sector. On December 4, Dragos will host…

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December 1, 2025
Read more about the article Data Centers Take Center Stage for Large County Coalition at #MACoCon
Energy / Information Technology / Winter Conference
Data Centers Take Center Stage for Large County Coalition at #MACoCon

Maryland’s largest counties sit at the center of a national surge in data center development. Demand for cloud services, artificial intelligence, cybersecurity, and high-performance computing continues to rise, and counties now face new questions about land use, energy infrastructure, workforce pipelines, and long-term fiscal impact. While data centers bring significant tax revenue and infrastructure investment, they also create real challenges: power availability, community compatibility, emergency response needs, and the complexity of coordinating with utilities and…

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November 24, 2025
Read more about the article MACo’s Inaugural Information Technology Conference
County News / Information Technology / MACo Events / NACo and Federal Issues / News You Can Use
MACo’s Inaugural Information Technology Conference

County leaders, IT professionals, and technology partners from across Maryland convened on November 20 for the inaugural MACo IT Affiliate Conference. Hosted at the Great Wolf Lodge in Cecil County, the conference delivered a full day of insights on cybersecurity, broadband, artificial intelligence, modernization, and intergovernmental collaboration.Cecil County Executive Adam Streight opened the program by underscoring the critical role of county IT teams in safeguarding residents, supporting local government operations, and adapting to emerging threats…

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November 21, 2025
Read more about the article MD Announces Major AI Partnership To Modernize State Services
Information Technology
MD Announces Major AI Partnership To Modernize State Services

Maryland is launching a statewide AI partnership designed to improve speed and accuracy across agencies. The effort reflects growing momentum for tools that help governments meet rising service demands while advancing priorities like housing access and child poverty reduction. In a recent press release, Governor Moore announced a new statewide partnership with Anthropic and Percepta to use artificial intelligence to strengthen service delivery across multiple agencies. Backed by support from The Rockefeller Foundation, the initiative…

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November 20, 2025
Read more about the article Statewide Broadband Expansion Reaches New County Benchmark
Broadband / County News / Economic Development / Housing and Community Development / Information Technology
Statewide Broadband Expansion Reaches New County Benchmark

Counties across Maryland are seeing a major milestone in expanding access to reliable, high-speed internet. With full broadband infrastructure funding now secured in Cecil, Talbot, Dorchester, Somerset, and Worcester Counties, local leaders are moving closer to closing the digital divide for residents and businesses. Maryland Department of Housing and Community Development Secretary Jake Day announced the update as part of the Moore-Miller Administration’s ongoing effort to ensure affordable broadband access statewide, with 99.5% of Maryland…

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November 20, 2025
Read more about the article Cybersecurity, AI Bots & Public Records: What Counties Need to Know
County News / Information Technology / Public Information and Ethics / Public Safety and Corrections / Risk Management
Cybersecurity, AI Bots & Public Records: What Counties Need to Know

In this week's episode of the Conduit Street Podcast, Karrington Anderson talks with Sarah Sample to break down the rapidly evolving world of Public Information Act (PIA) requests in Maryland and why counties are feeling the pressure. 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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November 14, 2025
Read more about the article Federal Efforts To Override Local Broadband Rules
Broadband / Information Technology / NACo and Federal Issues
Federal Efforts To Override Local Broadband Rules

As the federal government looks to accelerate broadband deployment, local leaders are raising concerns that new proposals could sideline local voices. According to a NACo article, the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) and Congress are both considering actions that could preempt local authority over permitting and fees for broadband infrastructure. This move could hinder, not help, progress toward universal connectivity. On September 30, the FCC released two Notices of Inquiry exploring potential new limits on local…

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November 13, 2025
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