Prince George's Proud:
An Update From County Executive Alsobrooks
Dear Prince Georgians:
On Saturday, November 26, the nation will recognize Small Business Saturday! Since 2010, the United States has celebrated Small Business Saturday to both celebrate the significant contributions of small businesses and their contributions to the economy and our community, and to encourage people to support small businesses during the holiday season.
According to the U.S. Small Business Administration, there are 33.2 million small businesses in the United States, representing 99.9% of businesses in the country. In addition, small businesses are responsible for the creation of approximately 12.7 million new jobs from 1995 to 2020.
As you know, Prince George’s County is the economic engine of the Washington Metropolitan region and the State of Maryland, and we recognize that small businesses are the backbone of our local economy. That is why it is important for us to support our small businesses not just during the holiday season, but throughout the entire year.
We continue to support our small businesses by launching new programs through the County’s Economic Development Corporation, the Office of Central Services, and the Department of Permitting, Inspections, and Enforcement, as well as other government agencies that make it easier for small businesses to open, grow, and thrive here in our County. Each of these agencies have unique and creative programs that allow small businesses to do business here in the County. We encourage our small business owners to visit their websites to learn more about these programs and initiatives.
Together, we are working to ensure that our local small businesses are successful because they bring jobs for our residents, boost our local economy, and preserve our communities. We are proud to support them on Small Business Saturday and encourage Prince Georgians to join us in supporting them during the holiday season and throughout the year.
Yours in service,
Angela Alsobrooks
Prince George’s County Executive
Litter Blitz Update
After week eight of our litter and mowing blitz, Department of Public Works & Transportation crews have collected 432 tons of litter, mowed 2,402 acres of grass, and completed street sweeping on 1,224 curbed miles of County-maintained roadways. We encourage all Prince Georgians to continue to do your part to keep our County clean and beautiful.
Protect Your Health
 As we prepare for the holiday season, the County Health Department recommends that residents get protected from COVID-19 as soon as possible to strengthen your immunity from severe illness before your holiday gatherings begin. If you have not done so already, we encourage you to get the new bivalent COVID-19 booster shot, even if you’ve already had COVID-19. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention’s (CDC) updated COVID-19 vaccination guidance can be found here.
Avoid spreading other respiratory illnesses this fall and winter by regularly washing your hands, cleaning your common surfaces, masking up in crowded spaces, and staying home from work or school if you don’t feel well.
COVID-19 Vaccination Update
Vaccine Supply & Administration
- The County Health Department has provided over 228,600 vaccinations, including more than 29,900 additional doses to those fully vaccinated.
- The County Health Department has provided 168 vaccinations at the Cheverly Health Center and Maternal/Child Health Center at Laurel as of November 15.
- Our mobile units have provided 49 vaccinations in the community to date in the month of November, focusing on homebound and senior residents.
- More than 19,600 primary-series vaccinations have been provided to children ages 5 to 11 years since the vaccine became available for that age group in November 2021.
- More than 400 vaccinations have been provided to children under the age of 5 since the vaccine became available for that age group in June 2022.
Vaccination Locations
 The County Health Department no longer operates a standing mass vaccination clinic. The COVID-19 vaccine is available through the County’s mobile vaccination units or at the Cheverly Health Center and Maternal/Child Health Center at Laurel, by appointment only. There are a number of vaccination sites available in Prince George’s County that are not operated by the County. Please remember that we neither manage nor control appointments or distribution for any locations not operated by the County Health Department.
Prince George’s County Health Department
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Cheverly Health Center and Maternal/Child Health Center at Laurel: To schedule an appointment, individuals should visit the County Health Department website here.
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Mobile Vaccination Units: The County’s mobile vaccination units are typically reserved for homebound residents and other high-risk residents who require assistance in getting access to the vaccine. Individuals who are interested in our mobile vaccination units should call PGC311 and press # for assistance.
Additional Non-County Operated Sites
- Please use our County Vaccine Locator to find additional vaccination sites operated by pharmacies, hospitals, and other healthcare partners.
Progress Toward Vaccination Goals
- Over 1,887,700 vaccinations have been provided to 739,261 County residents, including 630,215 second doses and 518,283 additional doses.
- As of November 15, the CDC is reporting 95% of adults ages 18 and older have received at least one vaccination in the County, and 87.4% are fully vaccinated.
- When including all residents ages 5 and older, 95% of residents have received at least one dose of a COVID-19 vaccine, and 83.5% are fully vaccinated.
- The CDC reports 52.4% of residents ages 18 and older who are fully vaccinated have received a booster or additional dose as of November 15.
- Approximately 3% of County residents ages 6 months to 4 years, 37.1% of County residents ages 5 to 9 years, and 66.6% of County residents ages 10 to 19 years are fully vaccinated against COVID-19.
County Executive Named Co-Chair of
Governor-Elect's Transition Team
 County Executive Alsobrooks was recently named one of the Co-Chairs of Governor-elect Wes Moore’s transition team, which will be chaired by Lt. Governor-elect Aruna Miller. The transition team helps to ensure a smooth transition process for Governor-elect Moore and the State. To learn more about the transition process and share your ideas, visit Governor-elect Moore’s transition website here.
Changes to Thanksgiving Day Waste
Collection Schedule
 County government offices, with the exception of public safety agencies, will be closed on Thursday, November 24 and Friday, November 25, in observance of the Thanksgiving holiday.
For residents receiving County-provided services on:
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Mondays, Tuesdays, and Wednesdays - Curbside collections of yard trim, food scraps, trash, and recycling will remain on a regular schedule.
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Thursdays and Fridays - There will be CHANGES to curbside collections of trash and recycling. NO COLLECTION of trash and recycling on Thursday, November 24, 2022. Regular Thursday collections will move to Friday, November 25, and regular Friday collections will move to Saturday, November 26.
For more information on waste collection services, visit the Department of the Environment website here.
Expanding Our Curbside Composting Program
 County Executive Angela Alsobrooks and the Department of the Environment hosted a press conference to announce the official expansion of the County’s curbside composting program, PGC Composts. With this expansion, an additional 65,000 residents will be able to compost “Every meal. Every scrap. Every Monday.” This extra weekly waste collection service allows residents to sustainably dispose of food scraps and food-related items in addition to their yard trim on Mondays.
PGC Composts accepts your everyday food scraps, including fruits and vegetables, dairy products, bread and pasta, meat and bones, pizza boxes, seafood, shellfish like Maryland crabs, and pumpkins, in addition to yard trim. Items that are not accepted and can contaminate your compost include leftover grease or any liquids, plastic, Styrofoam™, diapers, pet waste, and household trash or litter. For more information, including a list of acceptable and unacceptable items, visit the PGC Composts website here.
Pumpkin Spice and Everything Nice Adoption Event Throughout November
 This month-long pet adoption event is being held throughout November to celebrate the giving spirit. It is the perfect time to adopt a loving dog and get a new fur-ever best friend with our special $10 adoption rates. For dogs that require spay or neuter services, the price is $125 plus the $10 pet license fee. View our adoptable dogs on the Department of the Environment’s website here or call 301-780-7200 to begin the adoption process. Remember to adopt, don't shop when adding a furry member to your family!
Composting Pumpkins
 Compost Halloween decorations, such as pumpkins, hay, straw, and dried corn, on Mondays in November.
- Place your pumpkins and compost items curbside by 6:00 AM for pickup on Monday, November 21 and 28.
- All compost items can be placed inside your wheeled green cart for collection, if eligible.
- Place your pumpkin and decorations inside a paper bag before placing curbside.
- Make sure to remove artificial items like candles, wax, lighting, and loose decorations.
For more information about composting pumpkins, visit the PGC Composts website here.
The America Recycles Day Pledge is Back
 The Department of the Environment is partnering with the Washington Metropolitan Council of Governments for America Recycles Day to encourage Prince George’s County residents to continue to be leaders of source reduction and diverting materials from the landfill by recycling. America Recycles Day was on November 15 and aims to build consumer demand for recycled products and educate all Americans about the environmental and economic benefits of recycling. Prince Georgians are encouraged to take the pledge to recycle and buy recycled by November 21, 2022.
Prizes are awarded to Prince George’s County residents of all ages including students from kindergarten through 12th grade. For more information, contact Helen Register at htregister@co.pg.md.us, or visit the Keep Prince George’s Beautiful website here.
Prince George’s County’s 14th Inaugural Ceremony
 We are excited to invite you to join us at Prince George’s County’s 14th Inaugural Ceremony for County Executive Alsobrooks’ second term, and for the new and re-elected members of the Prince George’s County Council. The inauguration will be held on Monday, December 5, 2022, at 10:00 AM, at The Show Place Arena in Upper Marlboro, and is free and open to the general public. Doors will open at 8:30 AM and public seating will be available on a first-come, first-served basis. We encourage residents to join us at the inauguration as we begin our next chapter, continuing our collective work of making Prince George’s County an even greater place to call home.
Bilingual Job and Resource Fair
 The Office of the County Executive, in partnership with Employ Prince George’s and other community partners, is hosting a Bilingual Job and Resource Fair on Saturday, November 19, from 10:00 AM to 2:00 PM at Northwestern High School. Participants will have the opportunity to connect with employers and get information on resources. Register to attend the job fair here. Check out a message from County Executive Alsobrooks here.
Virtual Snow Summit
 The Department of Public Works and Transportation will hold its Virtual Snow Summit on Wednesday, November 30, from 6:00 PM to 7:00 PM. Residents are encouraged to attend and hear from government agencies and partners in preparation for the winter season. The summit is free, but registration is required. Residents interested in attending can register here.
Winter Community Partners’ Meeting
 The Department of Public Works and Transportation will host the Winter Community Partners’ Meeting virtually on Tuesday, December 13, from 9:00 AM to 11:00 AM. There will be presentations from the Department of Permitting, Inspections, and Enforcement (DPIE), Department of the Environment (DoE), and the Department of Public Works and Transportation (DPW&T). Agencies will discuss preparations for the upcoming winter season, among other important updates. Registration is required in advance to attend this meeting. Residents interested in attending can register here. After registering, a confirmation email will be sent containing information about joining the meeting.
Prince George’s County Teens Shine in Equestrian Sports
 Photo Courtesy of Bill O'Leary,The Washington Post
Prince George’s County was proud to recently host the 64th Annual Washington International Horse Show. In highlighting the coming of this major competition, the County also took the opportunity to showcase some amazing young Prince Georgians who are doing great things in the world of equestrian sports. Check out this article on Rodeo Queen Morissa Hall and Champion Bull Rider Nic Jackson.
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