News & Announcements 2023​​​​

• Baltimore urban farm teaches young people about food sustainability​​,  Maryland Department of Planning awarded Farmer Chippy and his farm with the Maryland Sustainable Growth Award. "Local farms like this are so valuable because of its access to healthy fresh food, which is not always easy in places like this," Maryland Planning Secretary Rebecca Flora said.​​​ WBAL-TV (December 28, 2023)
  
• Maryland seeks to return African American remains stored in state lab​, The Maryland Archaeological Conservation Laboratory was never meant to be a final resting place for the dead.​ The Washington Post (December 24, 2023)
  
• Thrive Montgomery 2050 Wins Sustainable Growth Award​, The Thrive Montgomery 2050 update to the county’s General Plan, which was approved and adopted last year, uses data and community input to plan for the county’s growth over the next 30 years. Source of the Spring (December 18, 2023)
  
• Queen Anne’s County Planning Commission and Chair recognized, The commission was recognized for the exemplary results of their hard work and leadership at the 40th annual Maryland Planning Commissioners Association Conference at the citizen planner recognition dinner. ​​The Kent County Record Observer (December 17, 2023)
  
• MACO Housing Panel discusses Uplift program, decreasing permitting burden on development, MDP Secretary Rebecca L Flora, AICP spoke to the state’s future housing needs.
  ​“It’s easy to keep developing the same product and that product is making the market believe that that’s the only product available and that’s what they want, you know, because it’s part of selling. But at the same time, how much do we know about what other product,” Flora said.​
  WMDT-TV 47 (December 6, 2023)
  
• Maryland Department of Planning: $20M in tax credits to revitalize buildings​, Two in Cambridge among projects. 
  Daily State News (December 4, 2023)
• Cumberland, Frostburg projects awarded historic revitalization tax credits​, Of 10 Maryland properties chosen to receive financial incentives for improvements, two are in Allegany County.​ Cumberland News-Times (December 1, 2023) 
  
• Historic Cambridge Buildings Slated for Revitalization​, The two buildings will receive millions of dollars in Historic Revitalization Tax Credits from the Maryland Department of Planning. WBOC-TV Salisbury (Nevember 29, 2023)
  
• Two Dorchester Co. buildings to benefit from Historic Revitalization Tax Credits​, The Maryland Historical Trust has awarded 10 projects across the state to revitalize historic buildings.​ WMDT TV 47 (November 29. 2023)
  
• State Awards More Than $20 Million in Tax Credits to Revitalize Historic Buildings​, Tax credits leverage projects expected to create more than 1,000 jobs.​ MACo Conduit Street (November 29, 2023)
  
• Governor Wes Moore Appoints Maryland 250 Commission, Governor Parris N. Glendening and Judge Catherine Curran (Katie) O’Malley to Lead New State Commission to Plan, Encourage, and Execute the United States 250th Anniversary in Maryland. Maryland 250 Commission Press Release (December 1​​​​, 2023)​​
  
• Maryland Department of Planning Announces 2023 Maryland Sustainable Growth Awards Winners, Awards Recognize People and Projects that Advance Sustainable Growth and Conservation in Maryland; Secretary Flora to present awards at six events. MDP Press Release (November 30​​​, 2023)​​
  
• Maryland Department of Planning Announces More than $20 Million in Tax Credits to Revitalize Historic Buildings , Tax Credits Leverage Projects Expected to Create More Than 1,000 Jobs MHT-MDP Press Release (November 29​​, 2023)​​
  
• Maryland Historical Trust Announces Upcoming Workshops and Webinars to Discuss Historic Preservation Capital Grants, Program to Fund More Than $600,000 in Preservation Projects. MHT-MDP Press Release (November 28​, 2023)​​
  
• Maryland launches project to ethically rebury remains of African descent​, Governor Wes Moore announced a state initiative Monday to locate the ancestral communities and rebury the remains of 15 people of possible African descent currently held at the Maryland Archaeological Conservation Laboratory in Calvert County. Baltimore Sun (November 20​​​, 2023)​​
  
• Maryland to Return, Rebury Ancestral Human Remains of African Descent​, Governor Wes Moore has announced a project intended to identify communities and descendants affiliated with the remains of at least 15 people of African or possible African descent so they can be properly buried near their ancestral homes. WBOC TV Salisbury (November 20​​, 2023)​​
  
• Maryland hopes to rebury remains of people of African descent​, The remains of 15 people - most of African descent, and buried in the 18th or 19th centuries - have been found over the years throughout Maryland. WMAR-2 News Baltimore (November 20​​​, 2023)​​
  
• Governor Moore Announces Project to Rebury Ancestral Human Remains of African Descent​, Maryland Commission on African American History and Maryland Historical Trust Partner on Project. MDP/MHT Press Release (November 20​​, 2023)​​
  
• Maryland Historical Trust Now Accepting FY24 Historic Preservation Loan Program Applications​, The purpose of this capital program is to assist and encourage efforts to acquire and preserve historic properties. A maximum of $300,000 in funding is available for FY24. The BayNet​ (November 6​, 2023)​
• Maryland Historical Trust Now Accepting FY24 Historic Preservation Loan Program Applications​, $300,000 Available to Fund Preservation of Historic Properties MDP/MHT Press Release (November 6​, 2023)​
  
• Maryland Department of Planning Announces New Accessory Dwelling Unit Policy Task Force​, Secretary Rebecca L. Flora, AICP, chairs the task force to study policy and placement of Accessory Dwelling Units (ADU) in Maryland​.
  MDP Press Release (October 18, 2023)​
  
• Frederick County, AARCH Society to launch study on African American history​, The Frederick County government and the African American Resources Cultural and Heritage (AARCH) Society will conduct a countywide study as part of a Recovering Identity project. Frederick News-Post (September 20, 2023)​
  
• An Explosive Night At Jefferson Patterson Park: PyroJam 2023, On Saturday, September 2nd, 2023, PyroJam took place at Jefferson Patterson Park. The event’s official website boasts, “PyroJam is a total adventure for all your senses.
• ​The BayNet (September 5, 2023)​
  
• For More Than 45 Years, This Small Town Has Hosted The Longest-Running Celtic Heritage Festival In Maryland​, Maryland has a special connection with Celtic heritage – we even have our very own Scotland to prove it! It should come as no surprise, then, that Southern Maryland is home to a Celtic heritage festival dating back to 1976. 
  Only In Your State​ (September 5, 2023)​
• Backyard bungalows and granny flats, the ADU movement comes to Maryland | Staff Commentary, Listening to proponents and opponents of “accessory dwelling units” — garages converted to small homes, in-law flats, basement apartments — this seems obvious: Proponents bring fresh ideas and common sense to the nation’s housing shortage; opponents offer only tired arguments. ​Baltimore Sun (August 24, 2023)​
  
• Maryland Heritage Areas Authority awards more than $300,000 to Harford nonprofits.​, The Maryland Heritage Areas Authority has awarded more than $319,000 in grants to five Harford County nonprofits that support heritage tourism projects and activities that attract visitors, and expand ec​onomic development and tourism-related jobs throughout Maryland.​
  Baltimore Sun​ (August 14, 2023)​
  
• Roundup: Members named to new transportation commission, Senate forum set, A new blue ribbon commission is scheduled to begin a series of hearings that could change how the state prioritizes and pays for transportation projects. Gov. Wes Moore (D), Senate President Bill Ferguson (D-Baltimore City) and House Speaker Adrienne A. Jones (D-Baltimore County) recently named the 31-member Maryland Commission on Transportation Revenue and Infrastructure Needs. Planning Secretary Rebecca L. Flora, AICP was named to the commission along with other members of the governor's cabinet. The commission is set to hold its first meeting on August 24 in Annapolis. 
  Maryland Matters​ (August 8, 2023)​
  
• The Ark Cannon Is Restored And On Display​, St. Mary's County Historical Society, LEONARDTOWN, MD – Last May, the Historical Society removed the Ark Cannon from its location outside the Old Jail in Leonardtown where it stood for over sixty years.
  The Baynet (August 7, 2023)​
  
• Historic Ark Cannon Finds Temporary New Home After Restoration​, Last May, the Historical Society took a significant step to preserve the region’s rich history by removing the Ark Cannon from its long-standing location outside the Old Jail in Leonardtown. Curators at the Maryland Archaeological Conservation Laboratory at Jefferson Patterson Park and Museum embarked on an intricate restoration process, made possible by a generous grant from Destination Southern Maryland.
  The Southern Maryland Chronicle​ (August 4, 2023)​
  
• Governor Moore Announces $5 Million in Heritage Project Grants Through the Maryland Heritage Areas Authority​, “Heritage tourism boosts local economies, connects people to their past, and elevates them in the present,” said Gov. Moore. “My administration is proud to support a diverse offering of place-based experiences and new partnerships as we work to enrich the lives of Maryland residents and visitors.”​ Governor Wes Moore Press Release (July 13, 2023)​
  
• Planning Practice Monthly - June 2023 Edition, Featuring: The Maryland Zoning CheckUp New Online Tool for Small and Rural Communities; MDOT Launches a New Electric Vehicle Charger Siting Tool; Maryland Sustainable Growth Awards Nominations Now Open; More...​ (June 29, 2023)
  
• Planning Practice Monthly - May 2023 Edition, Featuring: Legislative Recap - 2023 Session Bills Impacting Planning; Maryland Sustainable Growth Awards - Nominations Now Open​; The Maryland State Data Center Announces Latest Release of Census Data Estimates; More...​ (May 30, 2023)​
• Population in Maryland, U.S. grows older while homeownership rates decline, new 2020 census data shows, The population of Maryland and the United States is skewing older, new 2020 census data shows. Maryland’s median age of 38.8 — the same as the national median — is eight-tenths of a year higher than it was in 2010. Baltimore Sun (May 25, 2023)​
  
• Restoring The “Ark Cannon”: A Piece Of Maryland’s Rich History, The St. Mary’s County Historical Society today removed the “Ark Cannon” from its location outside Leonardtown’s Old Jail where it had stood since 1960, restoration of the Cannon is being undertaken by the MAC Lab at Jefferson-Patterson Memorial Park​ in Calvert County. The BayNet (May 20, 2023)​
  
• Hagerstown landmark receives special recognition, legendary fairgrounds are getting special recognition for historic preservation. DC​​ News Now (May 22, 2023)
• Planning Practice Monthly Update, ​Apply Now! USDOT Launches $1.7 Billion Safe Streets for All (SS4A) Grant Program​​. (May 11, 2023)
• Jefferson Patterson Park & Museum Holds Second Community Meeting on Rural Wallville Community, Project Seeking Persons with Family Ties or Knowledge of Community​. MHT Press release (May 8, 2023)
• "Kibbitzing with Kagan" featuring Maryland Department of Planning Secretary Rebecca Flora​, ​Senator Cheryl Kagan (Dist. 17 Montgomery County) ​hosted a conversation with Secretary Flora on May 1. Listen to the secretary's conversation with Senator Kagan. "Kibbitzing with Kagan" YouTube channel (May 1, 2023) ​
  
• Planning Practice Monthly - April 2023 Edition​, Featured Articles: Latest Release of Census Data Estimates; Forestry Guidance to Maryland Local Governments; Apprenticeship Maryland Program, More...​(April 28, 2023)
  
• Thompson Wins Preservation Award​, The City of Cumberland announced Thursday that one of this year’s Maryland Preservation Awards, presented annually by the Board of Trustees of the Maryland Historical Trust, is being presented to Michael Hunter Thompson for the “Fade to Blue” book/project.​ WCBC AM 270 (April 27, 2023)
  
• Maryland Historical Trust Presents Annual Preservation Awards, Ten Awards Presented Via Live Stream to Honor Heritage Programs, Rehabilitation Projects, Local Groups and Individual Leadership. MHT Press Release (April 27, 2023)
  
• Former House Speaker Casper R. Taylor Jr. dies at 88​ | Al Feldstein, retired from the Maryland Department of Planning, was among a group that spoke at City Hall to request the bridge be named for Taylor. Cumberland Times-News (April 26, 2023)
  
• Governor Moore Announces Increased Funding for African American Heritage Preservation Program​​, Funding Increased to $5 Million to Fund Capital Projects Important to the African American Experience in Maryland. Governor Moore Press Release (April 13, 2023)
  
• Planning Practice Monthly Latest Edition​, Featured Articles: Affordable Housing in Transit Oriented Development; Commuter Choice Maryland Offers Free Support and Incentives for Return-to-Workplace Strategies; Updating the 2050 Maryland Transportation Plan & 2050 Bicycle and Pedestrian Master Plan. April 4, 2023​
• Baltimore City and County, other big Maryland jurisdictions lost residents from 2021 to 2022, U.S. census report says​​​, Four of Maryland’s five most populous jurisdictions — including Baltimore City and Baltimore County — lost population over the past year, according to annual estimates by the U.S. Census Bureau released Thursday. Baltimore Sun (March 30​, 2023)
  
• Maryland Historical Trust Receives $30,000 Grant to Document Rosenwald Schools​​​, Federal Grant Funds will Support the Nomination of Rosenwald Schools to the National Register of Historic Places. Press Release (March 24, 2023)
  
• ​Weekend getaway: Hidden gems in Calvert County​​, Explore history, arts and outdoors in the smallest county in Maryland, Calvert County is also one of the oldest counties in the country, with history stretching back 12,000 years. Jefferson Patterson Park & Museum, extending 560 scenic acres along the Patuxent River, puts that history on display through archaeological sites, educational programs and interactive exhibits.​ ​Washington Post (March 16, 2023)
  
• Chestertown resident joins Gov. Moore's cabinet as Secretary of Planning​, Governor Wes Moore has appointed Chestertown resident Rebecca L. Flora, AICP as state Secretary of Planning. “The appointment is very exciting and I am honored to be working with Governor Moore,” Flora said.
  
• Maryland launches tools to support military, community compatibility​, Maryland’s military installations and facilities are of significant value to state and local economies and are interdependent with Maryland’s communities, according to a news release​. ​Southern Maryland News (​January 9, 2023)
  
• Maryland Launches New Tools to Support Military and Community Compatibility​, Departments of Planning and Commerce use U.S. Department of Defense Grant Funding to Promote Compatible Civilian Development in Maryland to Support Long-Term Military Sustainability and Continued Regional Development. Press Release (January 9, 2023)