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 #MACoCon Recap: Environmental Finance Center’s Rural Offerings
Agriculture / Economic Development / Energy / Environment / Housing and Community Development / Intergovernmental Relations / Planning and Zoning / Transportation and Public Works / Winter Conference
#MACoCon Recap: Environmental Finance Center’s Rural Offerings

At the MACo Winter Conference, attendees learned about how UMD's Enviro. The Finance Center can help rural counties secure additional resources. MACo’s Rural County Coalition provides a forum for Maryland’s rural counties to share their unique perspective on critical state and federal policy issues. At this meeting, the University of Maryland’s Environmental Finance Center walked through services and opportunities to help rural leaders access grant funding and other resources to better serve their communities. Additionally, rural…

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December 16, 2025
Read more about the article #MACoCon Recap: The Role of Adequate Public Facilities Ordinances
Housing and Community Development / Planning and Zoning / Transportation and Public Works / Winter Conference
#MACoCon Recap: The Role of Adequate Public Facilities Ordinances

At the MACo Winter Conference, attendees learned about the history and role of APFOs and identified areas for improvement. Adequate Public Facilities Ordinances (APFOs) help counties manage growth by linking new development to the capacity of schools, roads, water, sewer, and other services so infrastructure and taxpayers aren’t overwhelmed. They’ve also become controversial, with critics arguing that strict standards or long delays can be used to block housing, drive up costs, or push growth to…

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December 15, 2025
Read more about the article #MACoCon Recap: Housing at the Crossroads
Housing and Community Development / Planning and Zoning / Winter Conference
#MACoCon Recap: Housing at the Crossroads

At the MACo Winter Conference, attendees participated in a robust conversation on Maryland's housing outlook. County governments play a vital role in shaping the look, smell, and feel of our communities. As the level of government closest to residents, counties have been at the table — working proactively with state leaders and stakeholders to advance practical, locally informed solutions that increase housing production. However, amid a national affordable housing crisis, state-level proposals increasingly favor top-down…

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December 15, 2025
Read more about the article If You Build It, They Will Come: Infrastructure As a Tourism Strategy at @MACoCon
Economic Development / Environment / Planning and Zoning / Tourism / Winter Conference
If You Build It, They Will Come: Infrastructure As a Tourism Strategy at @MACoCon

With a new multi-state Chesapeake Bay Watershed Agreement and local agencies focusing their own infrastructure plans on sustainability for tourism and economic growth, government agencies are quickly realizing they need to be developing projects with future viability in mind. Building a community that attracts visitors and businesses, while preserving the local landscape for year-round resident is vital. An upcoming 2025 MACo Winter Conference panel will feature experts from Western Maryland to the Eastern Shore discussing…

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December 1, 2025
Read more about the article Baltimore City Launches Map Detailing Proposed Bill’s Community Impact
Housing and Community Development / Planning and Zoning
Baltimore City Launches Map Detailing Proposed Bill’s Community Impact

Baltimore City launched an interactive map to help residents visualize how proposed zoning changes will impact city neighborhoods.  Last week, the City of Baltimore launched a Housing Options and Opportunities Interactive Map to help residents visualize how proposed zoning changes will impact Baltimore City neighborhoods. Residents can use this tool to see how the bill, if passed, could possibly impact their block and surrounding areas. According to the press release: “This legislation is about lowering housing…

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December 1, 2025
Read more about the article Keeping Pace with Growth: The Role of Adequate Public Facilities Ordinances
Energy / Environment / Housing and Community Development / Planning and Zoning / Transportation and Public Works / Winter Conference
Keeping Pace with Growth: The Role of Adequate Public Facilities Ordinances

APFOs are a key tool for managing growth and infrastructure. Learn how counties leverage these policies to achieve better policy outcomes.  Adequate Public Facilities Ordinances (APFOs) help counties manage growth by linking new development to the capacity of schools, roads, water, sewer, and other services so infrastructure and taxpayers aren’t overwhelmed. They’ve also become controversial, with critics arguing that strict standards or long delays can be used to block housing, drive up costs, or push…

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November 24, 2025
Read more about the article Deep Dive: Solutions to Address Maryland’s Housing Crisis
County Budgets / County News / Economic Development / Housing and Community Development / Intergovernmental Relations / Planning and Zoning / Policy Deep Dive / Taxes and Revenues
Deep Dive: Solutions to Address Maryland’s Housing Crisis

For several sessions, Annapolis has wrestled with how best to respond to the state’s lack of affordable housing. The 2024 & 2025 legislative sessions both saw intense debate around several major bills, including: the Housing Production and Affordability Act of 2024, the Housing for Jobs Act of 2025, legislation enabling ADUs statewide (HB1466/SB981 of 2025), legislation requiring reporting of housing related data to the state (HB131 of  2024 & HB698/SB814 of 2025), among a list…

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November 13, 2025
Read more about the article Housing at the Crossroads: Local Challenges in a Changing Landscape
Housing and Community Development / Planning and Zoning / Winter Conference
Housing at the Crossroads: Local Challenges in a Changing Landscape

Housing has become a core issue in Annapolis. 2026 is set to be a year of action, with legislators and stakeholders set to debate an array of solutions.   Housing policy is taking on new urgency in Annapolis, as state leaders, local officials, and advocates grapple with rising costs, limited supply, and growing pressure to accommodate Maryland’s workforce and vulnerable residents. Lawmakers are signaling that housing is no longer a niche issue, but a core component…

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November 11, 2025
Read more about the article MDP Webinar: Maryland’s Sustainable Growth Principle in Practice
County News / Economic Development / Housing and Community Development / News You Can Use / Planning and Zoning
MDP Webinar: Maryland’s Sustainable Growth Principle in Practice

The Maryland Department of Planning (MDP) is presenting a webinar titled "Implementing Sustainable Growth: Maryland’s Place Principle in Action." Panelists will discuss how they incorporate placemaking into their work and implement a sense of place in their communities. MDP will be joined by local placemaking partners from the Montgomery County Planning Department and Oregon State University. Panelists will discuss Maryland’s new Sustainable Growth Place Principles, establishing place in comprehensive plans, and implementing place through their…

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November 6, 2025
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