Howard County is facing budget shortfalls coming out of the pandemic. The Howard County Spending and Affordability Committee recently advised that projected revenues fall far below our expected expenditures. Short-term cuts won’t solve the problem. Many, including Howard County Chamber of Commerce President Leonardo McClarty, agree that new sources of revenue are needed. Mr. McClarty […]
Columns
Posted inGuest Commentary
Howard County Chamber’s McClarty: The need for business and commercial growth
Since taking the helm of the Howard County Chamber, I have been fortunate to participate on a hosts of task forces and work groups. One of the most important has been the Spending Affordability Advisory Committee (SAAC). Created through Executive Order by the County Executive, this committee is charged with: Reviewing in detail the status […]
Posted inGuest Commentary
The world’s largest dog house in Elkridge
By Paulette Lutz When I was a child traveling on Route 1 in Elkridge with my parents, I remember passing the world’s largest dog house on a gentle rise on the west side of Route 1 just south of Route 175. Many long-time residents in the county remember it as the One Spot Flea Killer […]
Posted inBusiness News, Columns, Coronavirus
How to reopen and keep customer trust
First impressions are key, and businesses should treat this time of reopening like a fresh introduction. Reintroduce yourself to customers as a business that prioritizes health and safety. Whether that means expanding telecommunications, offering delivery, or enhancing our cleanliness standards, we have a responsibility to our customers to champion health and be transparent about any […]
Posted inColumns
Federal contracting websites updates delayed
Contractors using the Federal Procurement Data System (FPDS) to analyze awarded contacts data have discovered that the March 16 scheduled transition of the ad-hoc (or individually created) reporting function to beta.sam.gov has been delayed until at least May 2020. This delay compounds the challenges experienced by the earlier rocky transition of FebBizOpps (FBO), the legacy […]
Posted inColumns
Awarded Government Contracts – March 2020
The following information is regarding awarded contracts can be used to develop prime contractor, subcontractor and teaming partner relationships on these and other opportunities. The website for each awardee is also provided, if available. For more information, contact TargetGov: 410-579-1346 x 325 John C. Grimberg Co., Inc., Rockville, MD is being awarded a $20,987,000 contract […]
Posted inColumns
Development donations pollute politics
We often hear complaints about money in politics at every level impacting national, state and local campaigns. While we all would like to see community interests prioritized over special interests, what are “special interests”? Don’t all people have a special interest when it comes to their own opinions on the issues? Of course, but when […]
Posted inColumns
Awarded Contracts – February 2020
The following information is regarding awarded contracts can be used to develop prime contractor, subcontractor and teaming partner relationships on these and other opportunities. The website for each awardee is also provided, if available. For more information, contact TargetGov: 410-579-1346 x 325 International Business Machines, Bethesda, MD was awarded a $145,808,087 contract for the full […]
Posted inGovernment
Former GSA Contract Officer Pleads Guilty in $12,000 Bribery Scheme
The Department of Justice (DOJ) announced that former federal government contract officer Ronnie Simpkins, 67, plead guilty to accepting bribes from a company to file documentation allowing the company to maintain its GSA Schedule contract even though the company did not meet minimum requirements. Simpkins, of Lusby Md., worked at the General Services Administration (GSA) […]
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 […]