Also, a group of Afghan refugees will be resettled into our region and are currently in need of some essential items. You can donate specific items to this effort at this webpage. When donating, please be sure to specify, "I would like the item to go to Anne Arundel County Afghan refugees," to make sure your donation is going to stay within the county. Furthermore, if you would like to volunteer to assist the resettlement services, please contact one of the nonprofit partners helping in this effort, Luminis, at https://www.beluminus.org, and fill out their volunteer form.

Lastly, at the February 7th County Council Meeting, there will be a hearing about authorizing a ballot question during this fall's election to create a system of public financing for local elections. This is a key reform that would work to build trust in government and allow more residents to participate in the election process. County Executive Pittman thinks that on issues this important the people should weigh in by voting on a ballot question. Read more about this below, and be sure to have your voice heard by submitting written testimony ahead of the council meeting.

On February 7, 2022, at 7:00 pm, the Anne Arundel County Council will hear Campaign Finance Resolution 1-22 establishing a voluntary system of public funding that bans candidates for County Council and County Executive from accepting large donations from corporations, Political Actions Committees (PACs), and special interest groups. This ensures that elected officials are funded by groups representing the general public.

We would appreciate your feedback on this important resolution that restores power to the residents of Anne Arundel County. Access the survey by clicking here. It takes less than two minutes to complete.

We also encourage you to submit written testimony online for the Campaign Finance Resolution 1-22 council hearing or sign up to speak at the council hearing.

Visit the County Council's meeting participation page for information on accommodations and how to view the hearing visit.

"The Anne Arundel County Circuit Court has denied the preliminary injunction regarding the face covering requirement implemented by Anne Arundel County Department of Health Officer Dr. Nilesh Kalyanaraman.

I want to thank the Court for again recognizing Dr. Kalyanaraman’s authority to issue this order under his powers as our Health Officer. I hope and anticipate the expiration of the order on January 31st, as it has accomplished what Dr. Kalyanaraman intended - flattening the curve of the omicron wave during a critical moment for our hospitals and healthcare workers.

Thank you to all of our residents, our businesses, and our hospitals who spoke out in support of masking to protect their communities, and thank you to all those who have been vaccinated and boosted. Your choices continue to save the lives of your loved ones and neighbors."

The application period for the third Inclusive Ventures Program (IVP) cohort is NOW OPEN!

Business owners must apply to the program, which aims to help small and minority-, women, and veteran-owned businesses in the county succeed and grow by providing their owners with the resources that early-stage entrepreneurs often lack: business education and training, access to capital, and mentorship.

Preferred candidates are entrepreneurs who have been in business for at least two years and have revenue and employees. Click here to learn more.

Anne Arundel County Executive Steuart Pittman and the Office of Transportation announced the release of the Draft Anne Arundel County Vision Zero Plan. An opportunity for the public to provide comments will begin Jan. 25, 2022 through March 1, 2022.

Each year, more than 30,000 people – roughly the population of the City of Annapolis – are needlessly killed on our nation’s streets and thousands more are injured. From 2016-2020, there were 234 deaths and 1,311 serious injuries in Anne Arundel County, with bicycle and pedestrian users receiving a disproportionate share. Among the 24 jurisdictions in Maryland, Anne Arundel ranked 3rd for fatalities and 5th for serious injuries from motor vehicle related crashes.

Read the full press release.

Anne Arundel County Executive Steuart Pittman and the Office of Transportation released a new interactive web map that will allow residents to submit input for the County’s Pedestrian and Bicycle Master Plan (PBMP), Walk & Roll Anne Arundel! This initial opportunity to provide input on Walk & Roll Anne Arundel! will be available to the public from Jan. 25 through March 1, 2022.

Walk & Roll Anne Arundel! will encompass the entire County and support the objectives of the approved Move Anne Arundel! transportation functional master plan. Move Anne Arundel! calls for safe, accessible and equitable mobility alternatives to motor vehicles in order to relieve traffic congestion, protect the environment, improve health and create a more attractive place to live, work, learn and play.

Read the full press release.

Residents can now order up to 4 FREE at-home COVID-19 test kits through the federal government. Orders are limited to 4 individual tests per residential address and are expected to ship in 7-12 days. To order your free tests, visit covidtests.gov.

Anne Arundel County Executive Steuart Pittman and Arundel Community Development Services, Inc. (ACDS) announced today that the application period is now open for Community Support Grants. The community grant programs offers FY 2023 funding for eligible nonprofit organizations that provide vital services to county residents.

Learn more about the grants program.

The Arts Council of Anne Arundel County invests in the local arts community through grantmaking. The Community Arts Grant is their capstone program and provides general operating funds to the county’s 501(c)(3) nonprofit arts organizations. Twice a year, they offer Mini Grants to a broader range of organizations, with the goal of supporting high-impact projects that reach new audiences or fill a gap within the community.

Check out their grant opportunities.

AAWGT is particularly interested in proposals that support women and families and also prioritize issues of diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) to address the underlying causes of hardship and/or come from organizations with annual gross receipts of less than $100,000.

Click here to learn more.

Below is a list of the legislation receiving a public hearing at the upcoming County Council meeting. Come and let your voice be heard during the public comment period for each of these! The legislation scheduled to be heard at the next County Council meeting is subject to change. Click here for an up-to-date list and to see other legislation that has been introduced but isn't scheduled for a hearing at the next meeting.

The Department of Recreation and Parks will host two virtual Town Hall meetings to present the draft 2022 Land Preservation, Parks and Recreation Plan (LPPRP) and receive citizen comments. The Plan evaluates the demand for parklands and recreational facilities based on need, proximity, and equity and outlines goals and priorities for the next five, ten, and fifteen years. Use the links below to register and click here for more information.

Residents can view a calendar of upcoming meetings in their area, review site plans and other documents, attend virtual meetings, watch previously recorded meetings, and provide public comments directly to the Office of Planning and Zoning - all through the new Community Meetings website. See a partial list of upcoming meetings below and click here for more details and to view the full calendar.

Visit the County's Department of Health Website for more information.

For media inquiries, please contact Jeff Amoros at examor21@aacounty.org