The Howard County Council has unanimously adopted the updated WalkHoward plan, a pedestrian master plan that provides vision, framework and guidance for improving walkability and pedestrian access to transit within the county. “Following the passage of our Complete Streets resolution, it was important to make our WalkHoward plan an immediate priority. I’m thankful for the effort […]
Howard County
Posted inGovernment
Howard County releases plan to end homelessness
A new report jointly authored by the Howard County Department of Community Resources and Services’ Office of Community Partnerships and the Howard County Coalition to End Homelessness provides a new multi-year outlook on the county’s collaborative effort to build a community where no one is homeless. The Path Home outlines a five-year strategic plan to […]
Posted inGovernment
Board of Education approves Health Fund Deficit Reduction Plan
The Howard County Board of Education approved the collaborative plan with the County Government to reduce the Howard County Public School System (HCPSS) Health and Dental Fund deficit. The modified plan sent to the Board earlier this week from County Executive Calvin Ball, proposed eliminating the debt of $39.2 million over four years, through year-end savings […]
Posted inBusiness News
One moves in, two more coming at Long Reach Village Center
One company has moved in to the Long Reach Village Center and two more are on the way. Now under roof is Roll Up ’n Dye, a tie-dye studio that hosts parties and team-building events, is moving into the first floor as part of the Long Reach Rising Revitalization project led by Howard County. In […]
Posted inEnvironment
Ball testifies for Bay Restoration Fund
Howard County Executive Calvin Ball recently testified in front of the Senate Education, Health and Environmental Affairs Committee and House Environment and Transportation Committee in support of Senate Bill 172 (SB172) and House Bill 78 (HB78), also known as the Bay Restoration Fund. The legislation would alter the criteria for determining the use of funds […]
Posted inGovernment
Howard raises human trafficking awareness
Howard County Executive Calvin Ball recently joined representatives from HopeWorks, the county’s Office of Human Trafficking Prevention and the Howard County Police Department (HCPD) to fill pavement cracks outside the county’s George Howard Building with red sand to honor victims and survivors and raise awareness about human trafficking. Between 2014 through 2018, the HCPD handled […]
Posted inGovernment
State gives $1M to small, minority businesses
The Maryland Department of Commerce announced that four small and minority-owned businesses, including one in Columbia and one in Annapolis, have received a total of $976,000 in loans, equity investments, and lines of credit through the Maryland Small Business Development Financing Authority (MSBDFA). The businesses will use the funding to support expansions and facility improvements, […]
Posted inBusiness News
Dentsu Aegis Network joins Merkle
Dentsu Aegis Network has acquired Digital Pi, a digital marketing agency focused on marketing automation consulting services in the business-to-business (B2B) sector. The combined company will join Columbia-based Merkle, a leading technology-enabled, data-driven performance marketing agency, as an extension of its B2B business. Digital Pi’s marketing technology expertise and data-driven services support Merkle’s strategic plans […]
Posted inNonprofit
Howard County faces stark health disparities, report says
Persistent racial disparities in numerous health measures pose challenges and opportunities for Howard County, according to a new report released by the Horizon Foundation. The report details inequities in prenatal care and infant health, chronic disease, mental health and advance care planning and analyzes root causes and calls for specific solutions and broad action by […]
Posted inColumns
Where have all the trees gone in HOCO?
In Howard County, for decades, more trees have been cut down than State law allows. Development waivers, allowing more tree removal than regulations permit, have been granted because county decision makers have been too lenient. State Forest Conservation law requires a higher standard than just economic need. Yet, for 20 years developers have reasoned that […]