Prince George's Proud:
An Update From County Executive Alsobrooks
Dear Prince Georgians:
We are excited to share that Prince George’s County has been named the #1 Digital County in the United States for the third consecutive year in a row in the 20th Annual Digital Counties Survey, in the 500,000 to 999,999 population category. The survey, conducted by the Center for Digital Government, is an intense competition that honors the top ten counties nationwide using smart strategies for digital services to move toward the future.
This year, the County stood out from other jurisdictions based on our commitment to using technology to provide innovative, accessible, safe, accountable, and equitable government services. Some of our accomplishments include establishing the executive-level cybersecurity officer organization, an open data system for visualization and tracking performance with analytics countywide, a new 3-1-1 Customer Relationship Management (CRM) platform, a digital signature platform and policy, and development of elections management applications.
This achievement showcases our continued efforts during this administration to create a high performing government with innovative technology that can better serve our residents. In fact, we invested over $58 million in our Office of Information Technology in the FY 2024 budget. This funding will support enhanced digitization efforts across government that will make it easier to access government services online and increase cybersecurity protections.
Our Office of Information Technology has worked tirelessly over the past 12 to 18 months, successfully implementing 72 projects and initiatives. One key initiative was the digitization of processes by converting paper records into a digital format, which allows County officials to quickly access information and make faster decisions. We want to thank them for their efforts to enhance our digital infrastructure and make our County a national leader in the information technology industry.
For more information about the Digital Counties Survey and a full list of winners, we encourage you to visit the Government Technology website here.
Yours in service,
Angela Alsobrooks
Prince George’s County Executive
Metropolitan Baptist Church
 On Sunday, July 30, County Executive Alsobrooks worshipped with Metropolitan Baptist Church as they welcomed their new pastor, Rev. Dr. George L. Parks Jr., and his family to Prince George’s County. We also want to thank Rev. Dr. Jesse Wood for his years of service and commitment to Metropolitan Baptist Church and our community.
County Executive Alsobrooks Tours New
Drew-Freeman Middle School
 County Executive Alsobrooks toured the new Drew-Freeman Middle School in Suitland with Superintendent Millard House II and members of his team on Monday, July 31. This is one of six new schools that will open this school year through phase one of our Alternative Construction Finance (ACF) program, also known as the Blueprint Schools initiative. We have broken ground on 10 new schools in three years, and we plan to break ground on another eight new schools through phase two of the ACF.
County Executive Alsobrooks Meets Summer Interns
 County Executive Alsobrooks had the pleasure of meeting with the summer interns in her office and thanking them for all the work they have done so far. During the visit, she had the opportunity to learn more about them and all they have accomplished so far. These young people are doing amazing work in their various roles within our office, and we are excited to have them with us this summer. We are Prince George’s Proud of each of them and know that they will continue to do great things. Please join us in congratulating all of our summer interns:
Jordan Anderson
Andrew Burton
Brooke Burton
Jaden Coffie
Kayla Clemons
Isaiah Edelen
AnMayia English
Chioma Ezimako
Nola Hill
Nana Keita
Shawn Kelly
Kalilah Kmt
Bilkis Lawal
Keyshawn Mingo
Michael Pearson
Gabriele Reyes
Myles Rice
Jasmine Richards
Robert Saunders III
Adrianna Stapleton
Angela White
Tiara Valentine
Black Business Month
 August is National Black Business Month, and we are excited to join the nation in celebrating our Black-owned businesses! Our nation is home to more than 2 million Black-owned businesses, and we encourage all Prince Georgians to support our Black-owned businesses all month long and throughout the year.
Elderly Property Tax Credit
 Effective beginning July 1, 2023, Prince George's County will provide up to a 20% credit of the County portion of the property tax bill for seniors, inclusive of any Homeowners and Homestead Credits (total max of 20%), for up to 5 years. If you are not receiving at least 20% from the Homeowners and Homestead Credits, this new credit will bring you up to 20% in total.
To be eligible for this tax credit beginning July 1, 2023, at least one owner must meet the following criteria:
- The owner must be at least 65 years of age (born on or before June 30 of the application year); AND
- The same owner must have resided in the home as principal residence for at least the previous 10 consecutive years (on or before June 30, 2013); AND
- The assessed value of the property must be $500,000 or less as of July 1, 2023.
For more information and to learn how to apply, visit the Office of Finance website here.
Minority Construction Industry Day
 The Office of Central Services will host the Minority Construction Industry Day on Monday, August 21, at 9:30 AM at Newton White Mansion. A continuation of the 2019 Construction Industry Day, this event is curated to showcase up to $200 million in County construction projects. Register to attend here.
WSSC’s Get Current Program Extended Again
 WSSC Water’s Get Current program has been extended once again! The amnesty program is for residents who are behind on their water bill and has been extended through Thursday, August 31. For more information about the program, visit the WSSC Water website here.
Placemaking Downtown Largo Festival
The Prince George’s County Planning Department and Department of Parks and Recreation, in collaboration with the Office of the County Executive, Largo Town Center Association (LTCA), the Prince George’s Arts and Humanities Council, and the Better Block Foundation will host Placemaking Downtown Largo Festival on Saturday, August 12, from 11:00 AM to 6:00 PM. This festival will be a unique experience that cultivates partnerships, supports local business growth, spotlights local artists, and unifies the community. This pop-up event will transform a parking area into a vibrant outdoor community space and feature arts, food trucks, music, performances, local vendors, community workshops, and more.
This event will be held at the location of the future civic plaza, one of five signature projects being supported by $400 million in bonding authority from the Maryland Stadium Authority. The County Executive worked with State leadership to secure this funding during the 2022 Maryland General Assembly Session, which will help create a sports and entertainment destination along the Blue Line Corridor. This festival is the kind of programming that will occur regularly at the future civic plaza, and members of the County Executive’s economic development team will be present at the festival to discuss civic plaza plans and answer any questions residents may have.
To truly bring the vision to life, volunteers are needed to assist with painting, building, unboxing, and setup. For more information about the Placemaking Pilot Series and to sign up for volunteer workshops, visit the Planning Department’s website here. For festival details, visit the LTCA website here.
Maximize Your Business Plan’s Potential with LivePlan
 FSC First will host the series "Maximizing Your Business Plan's Potential with LivePlan” in-person on Tuesday, August 15, at 11:00 AM and virtually on Wednesday, August 16, at 11:00 AM. During this two-part business planning workshop, which will be led by Tisa J.D. Clark, participants will gain insight on how to create an effective business plan. The sessions will cover a range of topics related to business planning, including financial planning and creating a pitch deck, aimed at helping you take your business plan to the next level and maximize its potential with LivePlan. Register to attend here.
Business Launch Camp
 Join FSC First for Launch Camp, a one-day interactive seminar designed to empower diverse small business owners by working through business modeling and crafting a pitch deck. The in-person workshop will be held on Thursday, September 14, from 10:00 AM to 4:00 PM and the Virtual Mentor Event will be held on Friday, September 15, from 12:30 PM to 2:00 PM. During this immersive classroom-style event, participants will gain actionable steps to successfully launch an idea into the market. This seminar is open to Maryland business owners, but Prince George's County business owners are strongly encouraged to attend. Reserve your spot here!
PGCMLS’ “Rock Banned” Teams With President Obama in National Campaign
 The Prince George’s County Memorial Library System (PGCMLS) partnered with former President Barack Obama and the Obama Foundation in a national campaign with libraries to promote the freedom to read. The Obama Foundation’s campaign featured a video that included PGCMLS’ year-round Rock Banned campaign. The video by PGCMLS, which was shared on their social media platforms on Thursday, July 20, features staff and customers at PGCMLS branch libraries with a selection of favorite banned books. PGCMLS launched its Rock Banned initiative in 2022 to counter censorship and promote intellectual freedom by highlighting banned and challenged books.
PGCMLS Provides Digital Access Through New PressReader Platform
 The Prince George’s County Memorial Library System (PGCMLS) now offers its cardholders PressReader, a platform that provides digital access to The Baltimore Sun and more than 3,000 newspapers from 120 countries in 62 languages. PressReader is accessible on a web browser, or by using the platform’s iOS or Android apps on a mobile device. Funding for PressReader was provided by the PGCMLS Foundation and those who support its work. For more information, check out PGCMLS’ Online Resources here and choose the “Magazines and Newspapers” tab to get started.
Prince George’s County Human Trafficking Task Force’s New Campaign
 The Prince George’s County Human Trafficking Task Force, through the Prince George’s County Office of Human Rights (OHR) in partnership with the Department of Family Services’ Domestic Violence and Human Trafficking Division, recently launched a new billboard ad campaign to raise awareness about human trafficking around the County and will be soon be launching a bus shelter campaign. OHR’s Human Trafficking Division, which recently welcomed Felipe Urquilla as the new Division Manager, combats human trafficking through its leadership of the Human Trafficking Task Force, through education, training, advocacy, and securing improved legislation to better combat human trafficking. This latest ad campaign, meant to be highly visible, alerts viewers to the work being done in the County to combat human trafficking and invites them to help. If you are interested in learning more about OHR and its efforts to combat human trafficking around the County and the region, contact OHR by email at OHRStaff@co.pg.md.us or call 301-883-6170.
2023 Green Summit
 The Department of the Environment (DoE) will hold its 9th Annual Green Summit on Saturday, October 21, from 10:00 AM to 3:00 PM at the David C. Driskell Community Park in Hyattsville. Don’t miss out on food trucks, pet adoptions, green vendors, tips and much more. For more information, visit the DoE website here.
Crab Season is Here!
 Did you know crab shells are 100% compostable in the residential curbside PGC Composts program? Eating can be fun and delicious without the hassle.
- Consider lining your provided wheeled green cart with compostable/paper liners (optional).
- Dispose of your crab shells and food scraps in the green cart.
- Place your green cart on the curb every Monday morning by 6:00 AM for collection.
For more information, visit the Department of the Environment website here.
Maintenance Support Available for Rain Check Rebate Participants
Have you had a stormwater practice installed through the Prince George's County Rain Check Rebate Program? If so, the Department of the Environment is introducing the Maintaining Stormwater Practices in the Anacostia Watershed program! This program is funded by the National Fish & Wildlife Foundation to help support residential property owners with the maintenance of their Rain Check Rebate projects. This program offers support for Anacostia watershed residents through:
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Free Inspections: A landscape professional will evaluate your stormwater practice and provide a written report of maintenance recommendations.
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Discounted Maintenance: 50% of the cost, up to $750, could be covered for the maintenance of your green feature while you learn proper maintenance techniques through hands-on preparation.
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Stormwater Maintenance Resource Center: Check out the online maintenance resources for more information about caring for your stormwater practices.
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Green Ambassadors Program (GAP): For those interested in joining a community volunteer maintenance team to maintain neighborhood stormwater practices.
If you are interested in participating, please review the Property Owner Guide or visit the Stormwater Maintenance Resources website here. To get answers to questions, contact Kristen Parsons by phone at 202-599-8164 or email at kparsons@allianceforthebay.org.
Plastic Bags Blow
 Plastic bags take centuries to decompose, pollute oceans, harm wildlife, and fill up our landfill. Switch to reusable bags and make a small change with a big impact! For more information, visit the Part of It, Proud of It website here.
It's In Your Hands
 Junk mail is recyclable! Junk mail can be annoying, but rather than throwing it in the trash, let's recycle it for a greener Prince George’s. It's in your hands! For more information, visit the Department of the Environment’s Recycling Center website here.
American Rescue Plan Dollars at Work in Prince George’s County
 On March 11, 2021, President Biden signed the American Rescue Plan Act of 2021 (ARPA) into law. Under the Act, $350 billion was provided for eligible state, local, territorial, and Tribal governments to respond to the COVID-19 public health emergency through the Coronavirus State Fiscal Recovery Fund (CSFRF) and the Coronavirus Local Fiscal Recovery Fund (CLFRF).
Prince George’s County was awarded $176.6 million with $32.3 million allocated to support investments in stormwater management and flooding infrastructures. Learn more information about ARPA on the County’s website here and check out the image above for more information about the second phase of the Liberty Sports Park, an ARPA-funded project expected to be completed in May 2024.
OCR Joins the Office of Veteran Affairs to Honor Veterans
 The Office of Veteran Affairs honored Prince George’s County veterans with an evening of food, fun, and baseball on Thursday, July 20, at the Prince George’s County Baysox Stadium. This event included a happy hour, free food, live music, and baseball! Veterans received County-related information and giveaways from the Office of Community Relations (OCR), Employ Prince George’s, the Department of Parks and Recreation, and other community organizations.
Prince George’s County Secures $25 Million RAISE Grant
 County Executive Alsobrooks stood with Senators Ben Cardin and Chris Van Hollen, Congressmen Steny Hoyer and Glenn Ivey, Lieutenant Governor Aruna Miller, and other federal, State, and local partners to announce the County’s recent $25 million RAISE grant award that will help build new trails in Prince George’s and across the region. In the past year, Prince George’s County has received two federal RAISE grants, the first time in the County’s history to receive this funding. Check out this article to learn more about the RAISE grant and how it will benefit Prince Georgians.
First Lady of Maryland Visits “She the People” Summer Camp for Girls
 The Prince George’s County Department of Parks and Recreation recently welcomed the First Lady of the State of Maryland, Dawn Moore, as the guest speaker for “She the People” summer camp for girls. The informal discussion centered around the First Lady Moore’s career and experience in politics, followed by a question-and-answer session with campers. Now in its seventh year, “She the People” politics camp encourages girls to dream big and explore the endless possibilities of women in leadership. This non-partisan camp is designed to teach teenage girls about the power of civic leadership, government, and politics through a multitude of activities, discussions, debates, and field trips. Camp graduates are stimulated to get involved in their local communities and gain hands-on experience in activism, policymaking, leadership, critical thinking, and public speaking. Learn more about the camp in this video.
Prince George’s County Chef Featured at 16th Annual Governor's Buy Local Cookout
 Photo Courtesy of the Office of Governor Wes Moore
We are Prince George’s Proud of Executive Chef Rasheed Abdurrahman, a long time Prince Georgian, who was recently featured at the 16th Annual Governor’s By Local Cookout in Annapolis, where he used produce from three farms, including two in Prince George’s County. Chef Rasheed is a Culinary Institute of America Graduate with over 30 years of experience as a professional chef and teacher of culinary arts. He currently works at Food & Friends, a non-profit organization in Washington, D.C. Check out the Maryland Department of Agriculture’s press release to learn more about the event.
BSU Student Selected as 2023 HBCU White House Initiative Scholar
 We are Prince George’s Proud of Aa'Khai Hollis, a sophomore at Bowie State University, who is doing outstanding work in student leadership. Aa'Khai was recently selected as a 2023 HBCU White House Initiative Scholar. We know he will represent Prince George’s County and the State of Maryland well and we wish him great success in this endeavor!
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