Read more about the article WV Builds Data Center Strategy Around Growth and Local Revenue
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…

Comments Off on WV Builds Data Center Strategy Around Growth and Local Revenue
September 8, 2026
Read more about the article Frederick Secures $110M Community Benefits Agreement for Data Center Campus
County Budgets / County News / News You Can Use / Planning and Zoning
Frederick Secures $110M Community Benefits Agreement for Data Center Campus

Frederick County has negotiated more than $110 million in developer-funded community investments tied to the Frederick Digital Campus, along with changes aimed at reducing the impact of the already-approved data center development on surrounding communities. County Executive Jessica Fitzwater announced the agreement September 1 with Catellus, the campus’s master developer. Catellus will reduce planned data center development by nearly 20%, cut potable water use by 80% once its reclaimed water system comes online, and preserve…

Comments Off on Frederick Secures $110M Community Benefits Agreement for Data Center Campus
September 2, 2026
Read more about the article FCC Proposal Could Preempt Local Broadband Permitting Authority
Broadband / County News / NACo and Federal Issues / News You Can Use / Planning and Zoning
FCC Proposal Could Preempt Local Broadband Permitting Authority

The Federal Communications Commission is considering new rules that could preempt local authority over broadband permitting, including project timelines, fees, and access to public rights-of-way. The FCC is considering new federal standards aimed at speeding up wireline broadband deployment. The proposal includes mandatory timelines for local approvals and potential limits on the fees local governments can charge providers. The National Association of Counties (NACo) is actively engaging with the FCC as the rulemaking moves forward.…

Comments Off on FCC Proposal Could Preempt Local Broadband Permitting Authority
August 26, 2026
Read more about the article Summer MACoCon Is Over but the Conversations Continue
County Budgets / County News / Cyber / Elections / Energy / Environment / Health and Human Services / Housing and Community Development / Human Resources / Information Technology / Planning and Zoning / Summer Conference
Summer MACoCon Is Over but the Conversations Continue

The 2026 Summer MACoCon might be over, but many of the conversations that filled the convention center's halls are ongoing. In this episode of the Conduit Street Podcast, Shantelle Malcolm-Lym is joined by Karrington Anderson and Dominic Butchko to look back at what stood out at MACoCon and, more importantly, what comes next. Tune in to the Conduit Street Podcast weekly, wherever you get your podcasts! Subscribe to the Conduit Street Blog and stay in…

Comments Off on Summer MACoCon Is Over but the Conversations Continue
August 21, 2026
Read more about the article Digging in on Data Centers at #MACoCon
Energy / Planning and Zoning / Summer Conference
Digging in on Data Centers at #MACoCon

Maryland leaders examine the opportunities, infrastructure demands, and local impacts of growing data center development. Data centers are emerging as a major economic development opportunity for Maryland, but their growth also raises important questions around energy demand, infrastructure capacity, land use, water resources, and community impacts. At the 2026 MACo Summer Conference, Senator Ben Brooks moderated a standing room only panel with state, local, industry, and environmental leaders on how Maryland can support this growing…

Comments Off on Digging in on Data Centers at #MACoCon
August 19, 2026
Read more about the article Building the Bigger Picture at #MACoCon
Education / Energy / Environment / Housing and Community Development / Planning and Zoning / Summer Conference / Transportation and Public Works
Building the Bigger Picture at #MACoCon

County leaders examine how Maryland can plan, finance, and deliver infrastructure that supports growth, affordability, and resilient communities. Infrastructure touches nearly every county priority, from transportation, schools, and water systems to housing, economic development, and environmental resilience. At the 2026 MACo Summer Conference, Senator Karen Lewis Young moderated a discussion with county and state infrastructure leaders on the challenges of planning, financing, and delivering the projects communities rely on, particularly as counties balance limited resources…

Comments Off on Building the Bigger Picture at #MACoCon
August 19, 2026
Read more about the article The Electric Slide at #MACoCon
Energy / Environment / Information Technology / Planning and Zoning / Summer Conference / Transportation and Public Works
The Electric Slide at #MACoCon

Maryland leaders examine how AI and data center growth is reshaping energy demand, infrastructure, affordability, and local economic development. The rapid growth of artificial intelligence and data centers is creating new economic opportunities while placing significant pressure on Maryland’s energy system, infrastructure, and local communities. At the 2026 MACo Summer Conference, Delegate David Fraser-Hidalgo moderated a discussion with energy, utility, and consumer policy leaders on how rising electric demand could affect energy prices, grid capacity,…

Comments Off on The Electric Slide at #MACoCon
August 19, 2026
Read more about the article Moving at the Speed of Need at #MACoCon
Housing and Community Development / Planning and Zoning / Summer Conference / Transportation and Public Works
Moving at the Speed of Need at #MACoCon

State and county leaders examine how Maryland can make permitting more predictable and efficient while supporting responsible growth. Counties face growing pressure to move housing, commercial development, and critical infrastructure projects through the permitting process more efficiently, while still navigating complex regulatory requirements, public processes, and community priorities. At the 2026 MACo Summer Conference, Senator Benjamin Brooks moderated a discussion with state and county planning leaders on improving coordination, increasing predictability, and finding practical ways…

Comments Off on Moving at the Speed of Need at #MACoCon
August 19, 2026
Read more about the article From Need to New Units at #MACoCon
Housing and Community Development / Planning and Zoning / Summer Series
From Need to New Units at #MACoCon

State and local housing leaders examine financing tools that can help Maryland counties support affordable housing development and homeownership. Turning the need for affordable housing into new units often depends on whether projects can secure workable financing. At the 2026 MACo Summer Conference, Delegate Lily Qi moderated a discussion with state, county, and housing leaders on the financing challenges facing rental development, starter homes, and homeownership opportunities, as well as the public programs and local…

Comments Off on From Need to New Units at #MACoCon
August 19, 2026
Read more about the article #MACoCon Recap: Making Parks and Recreation Dollars Go Further
Darius Stanton, Director of the M-NCPPC in Prince George's County
Parks and Recreation / Summer Conference
#MACoCon Recap: Making Parks and Recreation Dollars Go Further

Counties rely on parks and recreation funding to build new facilities, expand programs, and maintain the public spaces residents use every day. With limited dollars available, partnerships and long-term planning can help counties make those investments go further. At the 2026 MACo Summer Conference, The Funding of Fun focused on how counties pay for parks and recreation projects, from building partnerships and finding new resources to covering long-term operating and maintenance costs. Senator Mary Beth…

Comments Off on #MACoCon Recap: Making Parks and Recreation Dollars Go Further
August 17, 2026
Newer Posts
Older Posts