The five-year American Community Survey (ACS) data for 2016-2020 has been released and is now available for all geographies in Maryland on the Maryland Department of Planning (Planning) website.

The ACS is an ongoing, nationwide, monthly survey conducted by the U.S. Census Bureau (USCB) covering a sample of approximately three-million households each year and is used to create an estimate of socioeconomic trends in communities across the U.S. As described by the USCB, the “ACS helps local officials, community leaders, and businesses understand the changes taking place in their communities. It is the premier source for detailed population and housing information about our nation.” The ACS is now the source for all socioeconomic data that was formerly obtained solely from the decennial census.

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Many jurisdictions coordinate the development of new comprehensive plans with the arrival of decennial census data. Census data is a foundation of comprehensive planning, providing a snapshot of Maryland communities, outlining growth trends, and distinguishing key demographic indicators.

In 2013, House Bill 409 increased the review period for comprehensive plans to 10 years from six years. To learn more about the 10-year cycle and when your jurisdiction’s review is due, please visit the Maryland Department of Planning’s (Planning) Comprehensive Plan 10-Year Review Cycle webpage.

As the lead agency for both the Maryland Census 2020 and the 60-day review of comprehensive plans and their amendments, Planning is steeped in this topic. Planning began listing comprehensive planning efforts in our September 2020 Planning Practice Monthly edition and will continue to track and publish website links in in future editions as we become aware of local efforts.

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The cheerful and popular Maryland license plate tag depicting red barns, a silo, green fields, and a graphic sunset was offered as an optional purchase to Maryland drivers beginning in 2001. The tag was developed by the Maryland Agricultural Education Foundation (MAEF) to raise funds for agricultural education programs for school-aged children as well post-secondary students, and to provide teacher training on creative ways for bringing real-world agricultural topics into the classroom. Raising upwards of $12 million and reaching in excess of one million students in twenty-one years of tag sales, the program is by all accounts a huge success.

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The Appalachian Regional Council (ARC) invites proposals from qualified consultants to assess the performance of ARC’s business development grants and better understand the grant implementation experiences of grantees. Proposals are due July 28, 2022.

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The Maryland Department of Commerce announced that the Board of Public Works recently approved Montgomery County Economic Development Corporation (MCEDC) as a new fund manager to provide loans through the state’s Small, Minority and Women-Owned Business Account, which receives 1.5 percent of video lottery terminal revenue from Maryland casinos. Since 2013, the account has approved more than 860 loans for a total of $92.3 million, projecting to create more than 4,000 jobs and retain nearly 6,000 more in Maryland.

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Don’t miss the opportunity to recognize the excellent work of individuals, businesses, organizations, and local governments in realizing Maryland’s 12 planning visions by nominating deserving candidates for a 2022 Maryland Sustainable Growth Award. The Growth Awards are presented by the Maryland Department of Planning and include the categories of Leadership and Service, Sustainable Communities, and Preservation/Conservation.

To nominate a project, organization or individual for a Sustainable Growth Award, complete the downloadable nomination form and submit electronically to chuck.boyd@maryland.gov by no later than 5:00 p.m. on Friday, July 15. For more detailed information, download the nomination brochure​.

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Reflecting a commitment to rebuilding our nation’s infrastructure, the U.S. Department of Transportation’s Federal Highway Administration today opened a call for applications through a Notice of Funding Opportunity for the competitive Bridge Investment Program established by the President’s Bipartisan Infrastructure Law, which includes the single largest dedicated investment in bridges since the construction of the Interstate highway system.

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In our May 27 edition of Planning Practice Monthly, we announced that the MPCA was accepting session proposals for its 39^th annual conference. You can now register to join the Maryland Planning Commissioners Association (MPCA) for its 39^th annual conference in Frederick on October 25-26. This year’s conference theme is Planning for Challenges on the Horizon.

The uncertainties of the past few years remain, but so do the challenges on the horizon. In a planning community navigating its way through the pandemic while simultaneously tackling the difficult issues of the 21st century, the benefits of a functioning and thriving citizen planning board are more apparent than ever.  The important work of citizen planners continues, and the MPCA can’t wait to gather once again, share insights, and learn about new and emerging planning trends that can benefit our communities.

REGISTER HERE

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Michele Butler joined the Maryland Department of Planning (Planning) in spring 2022 in the role of Procurement Officer. Her responsibilities include purchase orders for grants, maintenance services, and telecommunications. She says she is excited to be working on various aspects of the contracts process for Planning!

Prior to joining Planning, Michele held positions in operations and administration with other Maryland state agencies including the Department of Natural Resources (DNR) and the Maryland Department of the Environment (MDE), as well as working as a Contracts Specialist with the United States Navy.

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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.

ARC Conference: One Appalachia
Rocky Gap Resort
October 17-19
For More Information

39th Annual MPCA Conference
October 25-26
For More Information

Designing Road Diets as a Tool for Walkability and Community Revitalization
Thursday, July 14 @ 1 p.m.
AICP CM Approved 
For More Information

Forever Maryland's 2022 Webinar Series

Wednesday, September 21 @ 12 pm
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Creation of the Other Voices of Freedom Exhibit/Lecture
Saturday, July 16, 11 am to 12 pm, Havre de Grace, MD
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Escape to Hart-Miller Island-Educational Tour #2
Monday, August 15, 9:45 am to 1:30 pm, Essex, MD
For More Information

Maryland DHCD State Revitalization Program Grants
Maryland Department of Housing and Community Development - Deadline: July 13
For More Information

Maryland Historic Revitalization Tax Credit Program, Competitive Commercial Tax Credits
Maryland Historical Trust - Deadline: August 31
For More Information