The Rural Maryland Council (RMC) invites you to participate in a brief, 10-minute survey to share your experiences, concerns, and challenges living or working in rural Maryland.

Your feedback is essential — it will directly inform the Council’s legislative and funding priorities for our two grant programs: the Maryland Agriculture Education & Rural Development Assistance Fund (MAERDAF) and the Rural Maryland Prosperity Investment Fund (RMPIF).

• Rural Maryland needs your input.
• Your community needs your voice.
• Share your perspective and help shape the future of rural Maryland.

Be part of the solution — complete the survey today and help us improve the quality of life for everyone in rural Maryland.

Click this link. It only takes 10 minutes, and your voice can make a lasting impact.

To learn more about RMC, visit rural.maryland.gov or contact us directly at 410-841-5772 or [email protected].

Congratulations to our 2025 Municipal Achievement Award winners. Your innovative programs and dedication to improving the quality of life in Maryland’s municipalities exemplify the very best in municipal service. Thank you for your continued commitment to excellence and for setting a shining example for municipalities everywhere.

• City of Bowie - Citywide Municipal Energy Efficiency Retrofit Initiative representing excellence in Sustainability
• City of Laurel - Laurel Living Newsletter representing excellence in eGovernance
• City of Rockville - ADA Access and Inclusion Program representing excellence in Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion
• Town of Somerset - Town Events to Bridge Community/Youth Entrepreneur Market representing excellence in Community Engagement 

 

The fall issue of the National Civic Review explores how communities are confronting democracy’s toughest tests with creativity and resolve. From reimagining how citizens participate in public life to tackling challenges like homelessness, environmental sustainability, and civic trust, contributors share practical insights for making democracy work better for everyone.

This issue highlights how local leadership, innovation, and everyday participation continue to shape a more responsive and resilient democracy. 

Explore the online edition of the Review, made possible through the Maryland Municipal League’s partnership with the National Civic League. Access it here

Applications are now open for National League of Cities (NLC) Federal Advocacy Committees and Member Councils. Join a Federal Advocacy Committee to bring your voice to the national conversation or join a Member Council and connect with municipalities like yours. Applicants must be from an NLC member city, town or village – deadline Tuesday, December 2.

Visit the NLC membership webpage to apply or for additional information. Email the NLC Member Services and Engagement team at [email protected] with questions.

Have a vacancy to fill?

Gain access to Local, County, and State government job seekers.

Sustainable Maryland is excited to announce the second year of funding for the Sustainable Maryland Action Grants for incorporated municipalities, furthering our commitment to enhance livability for all Marylanders by supporting a wide range of community-scale sustainability efforts.

Funding for this grant program has been made possible by the State of Maryland when it created the Sustainable Maryland Program fund in 2022. By offering $100,000 to municipalities that are registered and certified with Sustainable Maryland, these grants seek to bridge the gap between local budget and resource capacity and state funding.

Sustainable Maryland’s mission is to provide opportunities for Maryland municipalities to continue to thrive and build a better tomorrow. With this grants program, Sustainable Maryland strongly encourages applications from municipalities across the state that seek to protect their natural assets, reduce their carbon footprint, and revitalize and improve the long-term quality of life for current and future generations.

Application due date: November 10, 2025 11:59pm

Awardees announced: early December

Timeline: Projects may begin January 2026 and are expected to be completed January 2027

Details

The League adopted an initiative in 2024 to give back to the local community organizations where our conferences are held. After evaluating several worthy options, the Conference Planning Committee chose The Dove Center located in Oakland, Maryland to be part of MML's 2025 Fall Conference.

The Dove Center provides safety, advocacy, and counseling to individuals whose lives have been shattered by domestic violence and/or sexual assault, and strives to expand public awareness of those issues.

Check out our MD Municipal Careers Job Board featured employment opportunity from University Park.

The summer issue of the National Civic Review explores how communities are revitalizing democracy through civic tradition, collaborative leadership, and local innovation. Articles highlight the promise of citizen-focused democracy, strategies like fusion voting, and reforms to make public meetings more inclusive.

Contributors examine how storytelling shapes civic life, how cities are improving street safety, and what today’s local leaders can learn from historical figures. Together, these stories offer a hopeful view of how American communities can revitalize democracy through shared purpose, strategic innovation, and local leadership.

Explore the online edition of NCR. Access it here. 

Join us Friday, August 1 for a timely panel series tackling Maryland’s most urgent energy and climate challenges. Hear directly from legislators, experts, and local leaders as they dive into the rising cost of energy, who it’s impacting most, and the solutions being put into action. Also, be there to learn how communities across the state are securing funding for climate projects and building strategies for long-term resilience. 

For a closer look at what’s in store, check out the full Summer Symposium agenda below

Our summer conference is jampacked and fast-paced from day one to day four, so plan accordingly before you go:

Start considering which of the 60 workshops and sessions you want to attend.

• Academy For Excellence core, elective, and graduate classes
• Face-to-face time with Cabinet Secretaries
• Dive into the Legislator Shark Tank
• Cybersecurity and A.I.
• Harnessing Your Inner Leslie Knope
• And so much more

Explore the Expo

 

Chesapeake Bay Trust is now accepting applications for its Urban Trees Mini Grant Program, an exciting funding opportunity supporting tree planting in underserved urban areas across Maryland. Grants of up to $10,000 are available to help implement small-scale tree planting projects that improve public health, reduce urban heat, and enhance neighborhood livability.

 

Discounted hotel room rates for the MML Summer Conference expire May 23.

Need a Reservation?
Peak room nights are going fast, and several hotels have sold out. To make a reservation visit the MML Conference Direct Hotel Portal.

Reservation Changes:
For questions or to make reservation updates use the link found on the confirmation email or contact the Conference Direct Housing Bureau.

Toll Free: 844-293-7037, International: 704-315-6648
Available Monday-Friday: 9:00 a.m. - 8:00 p.m. Eastern
Email: [email protected]

 

Metropolitan Washington Council of Governments and Grant Writing USA will present a two-day Grant Management workshop in Washington, DC on June 16-17, 2025.

This in-person training is for grant recipient organizations across all disciplines.  Attend this class and you'll learn how to administer government grants and stay in compliance with applicable rules and regulations. Discounted tuition is $495 and includes all materials.  Please use the code "Special100" at the time of registration for this $100 discount.

For event details visit: https://grantstraining.com/dc0625

Applications are now being accepted for the Class of 2026 Maryland Certified Public Manager® Program offered by the Schaefer Center for Public Policy at the University of Baltimore. Applications are due by July 7, 2025.

The Maryland Certified Public Manager® Program (CPM) is a leadership development program accredited by the National Certified Public Manager® Consortium. The 300-hour academically grounded, job-relevant program requires participants to complete a Capstone Project for their agency to improve a service, reduce costs, or increase revenue.

The spring issue of the National Civic Review explores the evolving infrastructure of democracy and belonging — from dinner tables to city halls. Articles examine how shared meals foster social connection, how local governments are reforming electoral systems and police oversight through public deliberation, and how communities are combining citizen assemblies with participatory budgeting. 

Contributors also highlight the civic muscle behind effective citizen engagement, discuss the seven principles for impactful citizens’ assemblies in practice, and reflect on the civic virtue of committing to a place. Together, these stories illuminate how communities are revitalizing democracy from the ground up.

Explore the online edition of NCR, made possible by the National Civic League. Access it here.

Check out our MD Municipal Careers Job Board featured employment opportunity from the Town of Boonsboro.



To post your opportunities or to see what is available visit the MD Municipal Career Job Board.

 

Across Maryland, several unincorporated communities have taken the first steps to becoming official towns and cities, seeking ways to expand community and services to often neglected areas. However, efforts are derailed by the unfair web of state laws and county power that make incorporation a steep uphill battle. What is the solution? Learn about one such community in this recent article which has inspired recent legislation.

Read full article here

Public Speaking for Public Safety Professionals
Crownsville GOCPP Main Office
Monday, May 19, 2025

Time: 8:00 AM - 5:00 PM