Read more about the article Unlock Funding Opportunities: Join MDOT’s Federal Grants Webinar on May 24th!
Energy / Environment / Housing and Community Development / Intergovernmental Relations / Planning and Zoning / Transportation and Public Works
Unlock Funding Opportunities: Join MDOT’s Federal Grants Webinar on May 24th!

MDOT's grants team is hosting a webinar on how counties can access federal infrastructure funding.  On May 24th at 2:00 pm the Maryland Department of Transportation’s (MDOT) grants team will be hosting a webinar covering state resources to help access federal infrastructure grants. Many of the items the team will be covering are exclusively available to counties and local governments. MDOT will also provide an overview of the Safe Streets for All (SS4A) program. The $5…

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May 16, 2023
Read more about the article Two Birds, One Stone: Arizona Tackles Housing and Educator Shortages Together
Education / Employee Benefits and Relations / Labor / NACo and Federal Issues / Planning and Zoning
Two Birds, One Stone: Arizona Tackles Housing and Educator Shortages Together

Arizona is deploying the "tiny house" craze to address the ongoing educator and housing shortages at the same time. Arizona -- like the rest of the country -- is struggling to hire and retain public school educators and to provide enough stock of affordable housing to those educators and other residents. In a creative effort to tackle both problems at one time, one school district is leveraging federal funds to build "tiny homes" to attract…

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May 11, 2023
Read more about the article May 15th – Comments Open for Draft State Building Energy Performance Standards
Energy / Environment / Housing and Community Development / Intergovernmental Relations / Planning and Zoning / Transportation and Public Works
May 15th – Comments Open for Draft State Building Energy Performance Standards

On May 15th, MDE will open the comment period for Maryland's draft Building Energy Performance Standards. MDE will soon open its draft Building Energy Performance Standards (BEPS) regulation for input. The draft will be posted to the MDE BEPS webpage. Counties will have from Monday, May 15, 2023 until June 5, 2023 to to provide written comment. After a review period, the draft BEPS will be presented in September to the Air Quality Control Advisory…

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May 10, 2023
Read more about the article Maryland’s Plan to Regulate, License Cannabis Signed into Law, Effective July 1
Business Affairs / Cannabis / Planning and Zoning / Public Safety and Corrections
Maryland’s Plan to Regulate, License Cannabis Signed into Law, Effective July 1

The implementing legislation to create the licensing and oversight structure for adult-use cannabis sales and use in Maryland was signed into law this week, clearing the way for the newly legalized market, following voter approval during the 2022 election. Governor Wes Moore, on Wednesday, May 3, signed legislation to regulate adult-use cannabis statewide. The passing of this legislation opens the door for Maryland’s first licensed sales of recreational cannabis to begin on July 1. Also,…

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May 5, 2023
Read more about the article Check Out QAC’s Building Codes & Inspections for Floodplain Development Seminar
Environment / Planning and Zoning / Transportation and Public Works
Check Out QAC’s Building Codes & Inspections for Floodplain Development Seminar

Queen Anne's County will be hosting a Building Codes & Inspections for Floodplain Development seminar on June 20. Queen Anne’s County Department of Planning and Zoning is hosting Building Codes and Inspections for Floodplain Development seminar on Tuesday, June 20, from 9:00 AM-12:00 PM at 110 Vincit Street in Centreville, Maryland. This seminar is intended for planners, building inspectors, surveyors, engineers, contractors in the building industry, and real estate professionals. This seminar is offered free…

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May 2, 2023
Read more about the article Feds Invest $2.6 Billion in Maryland’s Infrastructure, With More to Come
Economic Development / Energy / Environment / Housing and Community Development / Intergovernmental Relations / Planning and Zoning / Transportation and Public Works
Feds Invest $2.6 Billion in Maryland’s Infrastructure, With More to Come

The federal government's Bipartisan Infrastructure Law has directed $2.6 billion so far to Maryland, with more investment expected.  As of February this year, the federal government has invested nearly $2.6 billion in Maryland through the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law (BIL). The bulk of these funds ($2.3 billion) have gone to transportation projects, i.e., roads, bridges, public transit, ports, and airports. Additionally, $144 million has been spent on clean water projects. Over 44 projects have received funding,…

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May 1, 2023
Read more about the article Environmental Justice Tool Goes 2.0 at Department of the Environment
Environment / Health and Human Services / Planning and Zoning
Environmental Justice Tool Goes 2.0 at Department of the Environment

Counties gain access to updated environmental justice tool layering environmental health data with census information to see full intersection of socio-economic status and infrastructure. In June 2022, the Maryland Department of the Environment (MDE) launched an online tool, utilizing geographic information system (GIS) mapping software, to help users identify potential locations of environmental contamination and areas of focus for environmental justice. That tool has been updated, as of this week, to include the census track…

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April 27, 2023
Read more about the article Montgomery County Launches New Permitting Assistance Podcast Series
County News / Planning and Zoning
Montgomery County Launches New Permitting Assistance Podcast Series

The Montgomery County Department of Permitting Services (DPS) has introduced a new podcast series to help residents and businesses become more familiar with the permitting process. The first episode is now available. The DPS podcast will connect listeners to permitting department staff including permit technicians, building inspectors, plan reviewers, the fire marshal, field supervisors and code compliance staff. All who will be featured on the podcasts are experts in their various fields. Collectively, they are known as “first…

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April 25, 2023
Read more about the article Anne Arundel Expands Mortgage Assistance, Combating Housing Crisis
Housing and Community Development / Intergovernmental Relations / Planning and Zoning
Anne Arundel Expands Mortgage Assistance, Combating Housing Crisis

Anne Arundel County Executive and others announce new mortgage assistance expansion in response to the housing crisis.  Anne Arundel County Executive Steuart Pittman, and Anne Arundel Community Development Services (ACDS) CEO Erin Karpewicz yesterday announced changes to the County’s Mortgage Assistance Program (MAP) would include increasing the Area Median Income (AMI) requirement to 100 percent, making almost half of the county workforce eligible for up to $50,000 in mortgage assistance. According to the press release:…

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April 25, 2023
Read more about the article Governor Announces Increased Funding for African American Heritage Preservation Program
Planning and Zoning
Governor Announces Increased Funding for African American Heritage Preservation Program

Governor Wes Moore announced increased funding for the African American Heritage Preservation Program. Beginning in FY24, the program will have a new annual appropriation of $5 million, up from $1 million annually. "To build a stronger future, we need to recognize our past—and acknowledge the broad shoulders we stand on. The African American Heritage Preservation Program is one of the best tools we have to celebrate, study, and share the stories of the African American…

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April 19, 2023
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