Dear Friends,

Howard County is a leader in job growth and innovation. Over the last three years we have provided critical business support and built a tech ecosystem, allowing companies to thrive. Evergreen Advisors, a middle market Investment Bank and Corporate Advisory Firm with offices in Columbia, MD and McLean, VA, signed a long-term lease with The Howard Hughes Corporation to relocate its headquarters to Downtown Columbia, Maryland. Previously in 2018, Evergreen Advisors announced plans to move to Baltimore to be part of the "Cyber Town USA" project at Port Covington.

Evergreen's Investment Banking and Advisory Services to regional companies, including those in technology and cybersecurity, demonstrates Howard County's appeal to growing organizations. Evergreen Advisors has long called Howard County home, and we're pleased it was able to find an ideal location in Downtown Columbia.

Read more here.

Last week, we broke ground on the County’s first designated youth cricket pitch at Lake Elkhorn Middle School in Columbia. The County entered into an agreement with the Howard County Board of Education last summer to construct and maintain the new cricket pitch. We anticipate the project will be completed by May 2022.

Cricket’s popularity has boomed over the past several years in Howard County, and this new pitch is foundational for the growth of our youth cricket league. We have some of the best sports fields and engagement in our state, and we look forward to expanding Howard County’s national reputation as the place to play cricket.

Read more about this project here.

The Lunar New Year is a momentous holiday. It is a celebration of energetic performances and shared history, highlighting that diversity is our strength. 

I invite you to join me and members of our community for a spectacular virtual showcase to celebrate Lunar New Year – the Year of the Tiger on Tuesday, February 1st, 2022. The event will be livestreamed on Facebook and includes special performances and special guests.

According to the Maryland Department of Health, as of today January 31st, Howard County’s positivity rate is 8.7% and our 7-day moving average case rate per 100k is 37. While we are seeing a significant decline in the COVID-19 case rate, hospitalizations and cases remain high around the state. There are currently 36 COVID-19 patients in both the ICU and Acute Care units at Howard County General Hospital. 

Howard County has high vaccination rates with 86% of our residents 12+ fully vaccinated. Approximately 44% of our eligible residents 12+ have not yet received their booster shot. I strongly encourage residents to get boosted if you have not yet received a booster shot. Studies show that antibodies are significantly reduced 6 months after the first initial series. Vaccination, including boosters, work by significantly reducing serious illness, hospitalization and death.

 

We have the power to stop the spread the COVID-19. We can only do this through increased vaccination, getting boosted, and continuing to practice the mitigation strategies we have all become accustomed to: stay home if you are sick, get tested, wear a high-quality mask, and please get vaccinated and boosted if you haven’t already. Find a vaccine near you at vaccine.howardcountymd.gov.  

Last month, we offered $6 million to purchase Camp Ilchester from the Girl Scouts of Central Maryland. If acquired, this land will be preserved as green space, keeping potential developable lots out of development.

Through this significant offer, we are moving forward on our promise to preserve land for environmental and agricultural purposes. As we wait for a final vote and decision from GSCM, we are hopeful to make this a reality.

It was an honor to join my Maryland colleagues Senator Van Hollen, Montgomery County Executive Marc Elrich, Senator Susan Lee, and Delegates Mark Chang and David Moon at the Korean American Association (KAASMD) of the State of Maryland Officer Installation Ceremony. Congratulations to Dr. Hyunsook Choi for your new post. Your vision to support the next generation of young Korean Americans is important for Howard County.

Being honored as an Outstanding Public Servant by KAASMD during this Lunar New Year month is especially meaningful as we make progress together.

I’m happy to welcome Naz's Halal Food to the Normandy Shopping Center in Ellicott City. Cousins Naz and Kareem are bringing their love for New York street-style food to our community, and we couldn’t be more thrilled! This is their second of four upcoming Maryland locations, and we’re so grateful they chose Howard County as their home.

I wish them the best in all their future endeavors!

While we are seeing a decline in COVID-19 cases and data, it remains important for our residents to have access to adequate testing. To help keep our community safe, I visited First Baptist Church of Guilford and Midway Mobile Village to deliver COVID-19 at-home testing kits and kn95 masks for some of our most vulnerable neighbors. 

By working together, we will StayCOVIDSafe for decades to come.

We have a shared responsibility to eliminate the stigma associated with speaking up, so that anyone who needs help feels comfortable asking for it. Talking saves lives. It's ok to ask a friend, child, student or neighbor if they are doing ok and it's ok to ask someone for help. 

I encourage us all to check in with a family member, friend, or neighbor and start the conversation.  If you or someone you love are in need of mental health support, please call the National Suicide Prevention Line at 1 (800) 273-8255.

Howard County Department of Fire and Rescue Services Chief Lou Winston is an innovative and progressive leader who has the experience to carry on the traditions of our Department while shaping and preparing it for the future. 

He is not only a phenomenal leader, but he is a remarkable mentor to many of our current and future generations of firefighters. We’re so grateful for his leadership and dedication to the residents of Howard County and across the region.

Read more about him in this Baltimore Sun article.

No one should ever choose between putting food on the table or a roof over their head. If a household is unable to make rent, utility or mortgage payments, residents can apply for assistance here.

Please note, household income limits for rental and mortgage assistance programs vary. I encourage residents to share this information with family, friends, and neighbors who may find this helpful.

We have distributed 55% of funding for County managed assistance programs. Since our first round of CARES Act Funding in 2020, our team has worked diligently to get funding into the hands of our most vulnerable residents. Our distribution method is one of the most efficient and effective in the nation – and most importantly, more of our residents are able to stay safely housed during a pandemic.

We're so grateful for our partners at Howard County Housing & Community Development, Bridges to Housing Stability, United Way, Luminus, Community Action Council of Howard County, Springboard Community Services, and Friends of Grassroots Crisis Intervention Center for their efforts to get this vital funding into the hands of those who need it most.

If you or someone you know needs help with housing costs, funding is still available to pay rent and utility expenses. To learn more and apply, please click here.

Back by popular demand, our Department of Community Resources and Services’ (DCRS) Office of Children and Families (OCF) will host its annual Child Care Fair on Saturday, February 26^th (NEW DATE) from 10:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m. at the North Laurel Community Center; masks are required. While admission is FREE, attendees are encouraged to bring a nonperishable food item or unopened pack of diapers or wipes to donate to the Howard County Food Bank.

Though not required, pre-registration is highly recommended so event organizers can contact attendees in case of inclement weather on the day of the event. For more information about the Fair, contact the OCF at 410-313-1940 or email children@howardcountymd.gov. To request a sign language interpreter or other accommodations to participate, call at least one week in advance.

Registration is now open for vendors/exhibitors interested in participating in this year’s Child Care Fair on February 26^th from 10:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m. at the North Laurel Community Center. For 30 years, OCF has hosted this Fair to give Howard County parents the opportunity to learn about preschools, child care programs and community resources in one single location. Sold on a first come, first served basis, registration will continue until all 60 tables are sold. The cost to participate for for-profit organizations is $75 and the cost for non-profit, 501c3 organizations is $50 with coupon code: OCFNONPROFIT. To register to be a vendor/exhibitor at this year’s Fair, click HERE.

For questions and/or more information about being a vendor/exhibitor at our 2022 Child Care Fair, please contact Georgia Ferentinos at 410-313-1943 or gferentinos@howardcountymd.gov.

In an emergency, every second counts. Fire hydrants that are blocked, concealed or difficult to and/or your business is interested in helping ensure our Department of Fire and Rescue Services (DFRS) has quick and easy access to the fire hydrant(s) in your neighborhood, consider adopting a hydrant today.

To adopt a hydrant or to learn more about this program, email DFRS to outreach@hcdfrs.org with your name, address, email and the tag number for the hydrant you’d like to adopt.

If you or someone you know is still in need of their flu vaccine, visit HCHD’s "Seasonal Flu" website today for details regarding its flu vaccination clinics.

Reading Human Rights is a monthly book discussion group hosted by Howard County Library System and facilitated by the Howard County Office of Human Rights and Equity. This initiative encourages community dialogue on issues of race, displacement, religious bias, and fosters conversation on how different community’s approach human rights advocacy and community engagement.

Attendees will have the opportunity to read and discuss books of varying genres. On Wednesday, February 23rd the group will discuss Caste by Isabel Wilkerson as part of the Black History Month offerings from the Office of Human Rights & Equity. Spacing is limited so reserve your virtual seat today!

The Howard County Office of Human Rights & Equity invites you to close out Black History Month with this virtual webinar exploring how African Americans deal with illegal discrimination based on personal appearance, especially concerning their hair texture and style. This one hour lunch and learn will educate attendees on the history of Black hair and its importance to African American culture, expose the various kinds of discrimination African Americans face because of their hair, as well as illuminate the protections offered to Howard County residents.

A discussion moderated by Yolanda F. Sonnier, OHRE Administrator, this webinar promises to be informative and practical. Reserve your virtual seat today!

On Thursday, February 3, the Historic Preservation Commission will hold a virtual meeting using WebEx staring at 7:00 p.m. View the agenda here. Watch live or register for the virtual meeting by 12:00 pm on Thursday, February 3 here.

As reminder, through February 1, 2022, our Department of Public Works (DPW) is conducting a survey of septic system owners within the County’s Water and Sewer Planned Service Area. This voluntary survey will evaluate septic owners’ interest in connecting to public sewer and the information collected will only be used to help the County plan future projects. To learn more about this survey, click HERE.

To learn about Department of Public Works (DPW) projects currently underway, visit https://bit.ly/2V6K5B6. Searchable by project category and street name, from this site you’ll find additional project details, including news releases about the project. You can also contact DPW’s Customer Service Office at 410-313-3440 or email publicworks@howardcountymd.gov for further assistance.

If you have questions or are interested in finding out about a State road (numbered roadway) project in your area, visit the Maryland State Highway Administration’s (SHA) “Project Portal” website.

For more information on this program and what is accepted/not accepted, visit www.howardcountymd.gov/HHW.

Calling all Howard County businesses, community groups and organizations, our Bureau of Environmental Services is now accepting nominations for its fourth annual “Business Recycling and Waste Reduction” and “Green Community Leadership” awards program. This annual awards programs recognizes businesses, community groups and organizations in Howard County that demonstrates efforts, projects or programs that help protect our natural environment and preserve its resources. Nomination forms are available online at www.workgreenhoward.org and are due (postmarked or delivered) by 5:00 p.m., Friday, February 11th.

Looking for a fun, ONLINE activity to do with your pets this winter? Check out Recreation & Parks’ first-ever winter pet parade on February 12^th! Dress up your furry (or feathered or scaled) family members and show them off for each other and our judges. Participants will be judged on fashion/costume, presentation, behavior and use of props. Of course, extra points will be given for special skills or tricks.

To secure your pet’s spot in this year’s parade, you must register your pet by February 4^th. For more information, please contact Ms. Karen Ehler at 410-313-4635 or email kehler@howardcountymd.gov.

If you are in need of a fun activity for your child to participate when school is out (January 24^th, February 1^st, February 21^st and April 11^th through the 18^th, be sure to check out Recreation & Parks one-day events when schools are closed. From LEGO to music to cooking, science and sports, and so much more, there is something to keep every child and teen active and entertained when school is not in session. For a full list of activities and to register, click HERE.

Our Department of Recreation & Parks is seeking your input Howard County for its Land Preservation, Parks and Recreation Plan (LPPRP), a comprehensive plan produced every five years that guides the department on key issues, trends and plans for managing and enhancing the systems of preserved public lands, parks and recreation facilities. To learn more about the LPPRP or to provide your input, click HERE.

Our Office of Transportation’s second annual Active Transportation Open House (ATOH) kicks off Saturday, February 12th and will run through Friday, February 18th at 4:00 p.m. This virtual open house will focus on biking, walking, micromobility and Complete Streets, and will include updates to the County’s BikeHoward projects, e-scooters and Complete Streets implementation activities.

The Open House consists of three sections - discussions, the self-guided tour, and online surveys. Information on the open house, including topic-specific discussion sessions, is available here: howardcountymd.gov/ATOH2022. Questions and/or comments about the ATOH may also be submitted to transportation@howardcountymd.gov; please include “2022 ATOH” in your email subject line.