NACo Achievement Awards Archives

Calvert County’s Digital Transformation Earns Three National Awards

Calvert County earned three 2026 National Association of Counties (NACo) Achievement Awards for technology initiatives aimed at modernizing county government, strengthening employees’ digital skills, and making services more accessible to residents. Building a Responsible Approach to AI As artificial intelligence becomes more common in the workplace, Calvert County took a structured approach to introducing the technology across county government. The County’s AI Change Champion Network was created to guide the responsible adoption of ChatGPT Enterprise.…

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August 26, 2026

County News / Housing and Community Development / NACo Achievement Awards

Baltimore City Homeownership Pilot Turns Investment Into National Recognition

Baltimore City earned a 2026 National Association of Counties (NACo) Achievement Award for a homeownership initiative that helped residents purchase homes while generating millions of dollars in local real estate activity. The Buy Back the Block Grant Pilot Program earned recognition in NACo’s Community and Economic Development category. Running from March 2023 through July 2025, the American Rescue Plan-funded program provided down payment assistance to eligible Baltimore City residents purchasing homes within designated areas. Administered…

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August 26, 2026

County News / Feature / Housing and Community Development / NACo Achievement Awards

Baltimore County Helps Older Adults Age in Place, Earns National Recognition

Baltimore County earned a 2026 National Association of Counties (NACo) Achievement Award for a public-private partnership helping older residents remain safely and independently in their homes. The Baltimore County Age-Friendly Upgrades for Seniors, BCAUSE program, earned recognition in NACo’s Human Services category. Piloted in 2020 and established in 2021, the program provides comprehensive home repairs and accessibility upgrades for low-income older adults who want to age in place. Informed by the CAPABLE model, Community Aging…

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August 25, 2026

County News / Environment / Feature / NACo Achievement Awards / Transportation and Public Works

Anne Arundel County Earns National Recognition for Resilience and Roadway Safety

Anne Arundel County earned two 2026 National Association of Counties (NACo) Achievement Awards, receiving national recognition for innovative efforts to improve water quality and strengthen roadway and employee safety. Turning an Unused Parking Lot Into a Water Quality Solution The Lake Waterford Parking Lot Removal and BMP Retrofit earned an Achievement Award in NACo’s County Resiliency: Infrastructure, Energy, and Sustainability category. The project transformed an unused parking lot adjacent to the Lake Waterford Dam spillway…

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August 25, 2026

Agriculture / Energy / Feature / Health and Human Services / NACo Achievement Awards

Frederick County Earns National Recognition for Innovation, Public Health, and More

Frederick County brought home three honors in the 2026 National Association of Counties (NACo) Achievement Awards, earning national recognition for programs addressing overdose prevention, agricultural innovation, and building energy performance. Overdose Prevention Efforts Earn Best in Category Frederick County earned Best in Category in Human Services for its “Narcan Deployment and Training Across Frederick County Significantly Reduces Overdose Rates” initiative. With overdose deaths in Frederick County decreasing each year since 2022, the County has taken a…

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August 25, 2026

County News / NACo Achievement Awards

Maryland Counties Take Top Honors in 2026 NACo Achievement Awards

Maryland counties are once again earning national recognition for innovative programs and services addressing challenges in their communities. County programs from across Maryland received 165 awards through the National Association of Counties' (NACo) 2026 Achievement Awards, recognizing work across areas including information technology, health and human services, economic development, transportation, public safety, sustainability, and more. Among this year's Maryland winners, three programs earned NACo's prestigious Best in Category designation, recognizing them as standouts within their…

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August 25, 2026

County News / Emergency Management / Feature / NACo Achievement Awards

New FEMA Blueprint Shifts More Disaster Recovery Costs, Responsibility to States and Counties

A new federal report released this week calls for a dramatic restructuring of the nation’s disaster response system by significantly shifting more responsibility and untenable fiscal risk onto states and local governments. The 75-page report from the President’s FEMA Review Council argues that disaster response should become “locally executed, state or tribally managed, and federally supported.” That philosophy drives nearly every recommendation in the report, including raising federal disaster thresholds, limiting federal recovery assistance, restructuring…

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May 8, 2026

County News / NACo Achievement Awards

Deadline Extended: Apply Now for NACo’s 2026 Achievement Awards

Counties have more time to showcase their innovation. The National Association of Counties (NACo) has extended the submission deadline for its 2026 Achievement Awards to April 15, giving counties additional time to apply and highlight impactful local programs. The Achievement Awards program is a non-competitive recognition initiative that celebrates innovative county government programs across 18 categories, spanning a wide range of county responsibilities. One program in each category will be selected as a “Best of…

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April 14, 2026

Read more about the article Howard County Steps Up Support for Federal Workers During Shutdown

Photos courtesy of Howard County

County News / NACo Achievement Awards / News You Can Use

Howard County Steps Up Support for Federal Workers During Shutdown

With federal paychecks on hold, Howard County is mobilizing a full range of local supports — from housing and food assistance to community and workforce resources — for affected workers. Howard County Executive Calvin Ball announced new measures to support residents affected by the ongoing federal government shutdown. Joined by US Representative Sarah Elfreth and county officials, County Executive Ball outlined a coordinated response to help federal workers and contractors facing missed paychecks. The County…

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October 7, 2025

County News / NACo Achievement Awards / NACo and Federal Issues

Maryland Counties Shine in 2025 NACo Achievement Awards

Maryland counties once again earned national recognition for innovation, service delivery, and community impact through the 2025 National Association of Counties (NACo) Achievement Awards. The program honors creative and effective county government programs in 18 categories across a wide range of county responsibilities, including public safety, technology, economic development, health, and more. Howard County led the pack, receiving a record-setting 83 awards — the most ever by a Maryland county in a single year —…

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July 15, 2025