Read more about the article From Need to New Units: Financing Affordable Housing Development 
Housing and Community Development / Planning and Zoning / Summer Conference
From Need to New Units: Financing Affordable Housing Development 

Hear how project financing can help unlock the production of more affordable units.  Affordable housing remains one of the most pressing challenges facing Maryland counties, but transforming community need into completed units often depends on whether projects can secure workable financing. Rising construction costs, interest rates, and funding gaps can make it difficult to move rental developments, starter homes, and homeownership opportunities from concept to completion. By focusing on financing tools, public programs, and locally…

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August 4, 2026
Read more about the article Eric’s ID Law: From Policy to Practice at #MACoCon
County News / Summer Conference
Eric’s ID Law: From Policy to Practice at #MACoCon

Effective implementation of Eric's ID Law will depend on training, coordination, and strong partnerships at the local level. Interactions between first responders and individuals with nonapparent developmental or intellectual disabilities can present unique communication challenges, particularly during stressful or rapidly evolving situations. While many public safety agencies have expanded crisis intervention training and disability awareness efforts in recent years, identifying when someone may need additional time, different communication strategies, or other accommodations is not always…

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August 3, 2026
Read more about the article The Critical Role of Existing Generation in Responsible Data Center Development 
Summer Conference
The Critical Role of Existing Generation in Responsible Data Center Development 

MACo’s 2026 Summer Conference Solutions Showcase features thought leaders and industry experts presenting resources and best practices to assist local governments. Check out this session hosted by Constellation!  About Constellation:  At Constellation, they're building tomorrow's clean, reliable energy while generating power to meet the demands of today. Constellation is securing America's energy future by producing clean, reliable energy to meet today's demands while building capacity to meet the energy needs of tomorrow. And Constellation is committed to living their purpose every day through shared values that…

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August 3, 2026
Read more about the article Seattle Limits Environmental Appeals to Streamline Housing Development
Housing and Community Development / Planning and Zoning / Summer Conference
Seattle Limits Environmental Appeals to Streamline Housing Development

Seattle’s reforms offer lessons for streamlining housing reviews while preserving key safeguards. Seattle eliminated an administrative appeals process that had delayed major zoning reforms and housing development. Environmental reviews remain in place, but challenges must now proceed through the courts or the state’s growth management process. Supporters argue that the former system added months to project timelines while rarely producing meaningful changes, increasing costs and uncertainty as the city works to expand housing supply. Maryland…

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August 3, 2026
Read more about the article Outpaced and Outnumbered: The Case for Autonomous Cyber Defense
Summer Conference
Outpaced and Outnumbered: The Case for Autonomous Cyber Defense

 MACo’s 2026 Summer Conference Solutions Showcase features thought leaders and industry experts presenting resources and best practices to assist local governments. Check out this session hosted by Check Point Software Technologies, Inc.!  About Check Point Software Technologies, Inc.:  Check Point Software Technologies is a global leader in cyber security solutions, dedicated to protecting corporate enterprises and governments worldwide. For over 30 years, their mission has been to secure the digital world for everyone, everywhere. From pioneering stateful firewalls to their AI-powered, cloud-delivered security solutions, they are committed…

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August 3, 2026
Read more about the article The Money Behind the Money: How Payment Modernization Frees Up County Budgets 
Summer Conference
The Money Behind the Money: How Payment Modernization Frees Up County Budgets 

MACo’s 2026 Summer Conference Solutions Showcase features thought leaders and industry experts presenting resources and best practices to assist local governments. Check out this session hosted by Verity Pay!  About Verity Pay:  VerityPay is a patent-pending, SOC2-compliant platform that enables businesses to send and collect payments directly via SMS to and from customers’ mobile phones, offering a secure, efficient, and user‑friendly B2C payment experience. The platform is designed to eliminate the need for paper checks, complex registration, or banking apps, allowing consumers to manage payments on their own…

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August 3, 2026
Read more about the article From Pipeline to Paycheck: Aligning Workforce and Economic Growth at #MACoCon
Economic Development / Labor / Summer Conference
From Pipeline to Paycheck: Aligning Workforce and Economic Growth at #MACoCon

As industries change, counties are adapting workforce strategies to better meet the needs of both residents and employers. A strong workforce is one of a county's greatest economic assets, but building it requires more than attracting new employers. It depends on ensuring residents have clear, accessible pathways to quality careers while employers have access to the skilled talent they need to grow. As industries evolve and labor market demands shift, counties are increasingly working with…

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August 3, 2026
Read more about the article Serving Those Who Served Starts with One Question
News You Can Use / Summer Conference
Serving Those Who Served Starts with One Question

At the 2026 MACo Summer Conference, attendees will hear how Maryland is helping connect more veterans and military families with benefits and services through a simple screening process. Many veterans never identify themselves when interacting with government agencies. As a result, they may never learn about programs or support available to them. Serving Those Who Served: Smarter Screening for Stronger Veteran Support County governments interact with residents every day, making them an important partner in…

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August 3, 2026
Read more about the article Reinvesting in Maryland: Cannabis Revenue, Community Repair, and Economic Opportunity at #MACoCon
Cannabis / Health and Human Services / Summer Conference
Reinvesting in Maryland: Cannabis Revenue, Community Repair, and Economic Opportunity at #MACoCon

The release of new Community Reinvestment and Repair Fund regulations gives counties greater clarity on how these resources can support communities in Maryland. Since the legalization of adult-use cannabis, Maryland has shifted from building a regulatory framework to determining how cannabis-generated revenue can create lasting benefits for communities. Through the Community Reinvestment and Repair Fund (CRRF) and the work of the Maryland Department of Social and Economic Mobility's Office of Social Equity, the state is…

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August 3, 2026
Read more about the article #MACoCon: Counties Face Growing Costs, Tougher Budget Choices
County Budgets / County News / Summer Conference
#MACoCon: Counties Face Growing Costs, Tougher Budget Choices

At the 2026 MACo Summer Conference, county leaders will examine the fiscal pressures reshaping local government budgets and the difficult choices many counties now face. Rising education costs, infrastructure needs, inflation, State cost shifts, and uncertainty surrounding future federal funding are all placing additional pressure on county finances. At the same time, counties have few broad revenue options available when significant new expenses arise. Funding the Future: Counties Confront Growing Costs, Limited Flexibility County budgets…

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August 3, 2026
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