When people think of the U.S. Census, they often simply connect it to counting the number of people living in the United States and how those figures will determine the number of representatives serving in various levels of government. While that is certainly one of its primary functions, the reach and impact of Census data goes far beyond the issues of representation to affect countless aspects of American life. U.S. Census numbers are used in a myriad of ways for planning across both the public and private sectors of our society and economy. That’s why it is critical for Maryland to get the most complete Census 2020 count possible -- accounting for every person living in our state.

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Most of us in planning and related professions know Jacobs for her first and most cherished book, The Death and Life of Great American Cities (Random House, 1961) – to this day, almost universally required reading for planners early in their academic careers. Most of us were downright awe-struck by her descriptions of how cities work. Further, Jacobs’ analyses of what cities could be and how they should function if given the proper combination of understanding, funding, and deference, were a revelation. Her ideas were like the proverbial hot knife through butter. They were incisive yet commonsensical. Why hadn’t anyone thought of cities before in the ways she so deftly interpreted and explained them?

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For the first time, respondents to the U.S. Census can complete their Census survey online, by telephone, or the more traditional way, by U.S. Mail. And for the first time, anyone -- from planners, politicians and teachers, health care advocates and private citizens -- wanting to see the results as they unfold, can do so online.

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Every county in Maryland has brownfields. They include buildings and sites previously used for dry cleaners, auto body repair, gas stations, manufacturing and industrial uses, as well as buildings with asbestos or lead-based paint issues. Obtaining funding for assessments and cleanup is key to local efforts to transform brownfields into community assets; whether for new businesses, government facilities, parks, or tourism destinations.

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Twice in less than two years, in July 2016 and again in May 2018, catastrophic flash floods forever changed the economic and physical landscape of historic Ellicott City, located just 10 miles west of downtown Baltimore. These events were so dramatic and destructive to the former mill town that they attracted national, and even international, attention. Much has been written about the devastation, its causes, and the recovery that followed. But what about the measures taken to mitigate, if not prevent, flash floods from happening again?

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On Thursday, April 16, the Maryland Department of Planning (Planning) conducted its first ever videoconference Planning Directors Roundtable. With more than 80 attendees, it was a big success! Planning conducts approximately three roundtables a year (it varies), but with the COVID-19 Pandemic, the typical in-person meeting in Crownsville was not an option. Staff from our Planning Data and Research and Planning Coordination Divisions, with a hefty assistance from our Communications staff, used the GoToWebinar platform (which we frequently use for webinars), to host a virtual meeting blending PowerPoints, polling, webcam presentations, and live discussion.

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In response to the COVID-19 pandemic, late last month the Federal Government passed a $2 trillion relief bill known as the CARES Act. This act includes $4.6 million in Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) and $12.5 million in homelessness services funding earmarked for Maryland. We understand that time is of the essence in the distribution of these funds to Maryland's communities.

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The MPCA will host the 2020 fall conference at the Best Western in Westminster on November 9-10. The theme of this year’s conference is Contingency Planning and Resilient Boards. As we all feel our way through the COVID-19 pandemic, the need for proactive planning, and the benefits of a resilient citizen planning board to a community, are more apparent than ever. The MPCA is closely monitoring the pandemic and will adjust the fall conference as necessary.

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Kristin Fleckenstein joined MDP on February 26th as our new Director of Public Affairs with a primary focus of coordinating Planning’s Census 2020 outreach campaign.

With the Census in full swing, Kristin will be focusing her efforts on ensuring a complete count of all Marylanders through effective marketing efforts.

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In each newsletter, we highlight the most relevant and timely upcoming events. Our website does include many additional events, so please visit it regularly for updates. Listings are searchable by subject.

Due to the COVID-19 pandemic, this section is temporarily suspendedFor More Information

Life After Carbon: The Next Global Transformation of Cities
Tuesday, April 28 @ 1 p.m.
AICP CM Approved 
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Craving Community: The Increments of Great Neighborhoods
Friday, May 1 @ 1 pm
AICP CM Approved
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Due to the COVID-19 pandemic, this section is temporarily suspendedFor More Information

Maryland Small Business COVID-19
Emergency Relief Grant Fund
Maryland Department of Commerce - Deadline: May 29
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Resilient Maryland Program
Maryland Energy Administration - Deadline: May 1
For More Information