In observance of America’s 250th anniversary, The Maryland Two Fifty Commission is looking back at our state’s contributions to American history through the eyes and experiences of fellow Marylanders. This commemoration is for every one of us, from the Chesapeake Bay to the mountain peaks in the west. Counties and municipalities are eligible to apply for any of the 3 grant programs, and geographic spread of grantees is a priority:

• Citizen academy grants of $500 for county and municipal citizen academies for short term programs to educate and engage citizens
• MD Two Fifty Fellows paid internship grants with mentor stipend for up to $7,500.Inclusive
• History grants for programs, projects, events, or research, up to $4,000

Details and applications can be found on the MD 250 website. Virtual information sessions are scheduled for Thursday, September 26, at 1:00 pm, for the MD Two Fifty Fellows grant program, and on Friday, September 27 at 11:00 am, for the MD Two Fifty Citizen Academy grant program. The virtual information sessions for the Inclusive History grant program will take place in late October.  All information will be posted on the MD 250 website and social media. 

Take a look at the sessions that will prepare you for another year of governance. The MML Fall Conference is a convening of our most engaged and connected members meeting with top industry leaders dedicated to the success of Maryland's municipalities. View the full preliminary schedule here.

Today’s young people are the leaders, innovators, and thinkers who will shape the next 250 years — and it’s important their voices are heard as we commemorate this historic milestone.

America’s Field Trip is a contest that invites students across the country in grades 3–12 to be part of America’s 250th anniversary by sharing their perspectives on what America means to them — with the opportunity to earn an unforgettable field trip experience at some of the nation’s most iconic historic and cultural landmarks.

Students are asked to submit writing or original artwork in response to the contest’s prompt: “What does America mean to you?”

America250 America's Field Trip round 2 launched September 16, 2024. Earlier this year in round 1, of 150 national winners, 9 were Maryland students. Maryland winners celebrated at a recognition ceremony at the Maryland State Fair.

New to registering your officials for an MML conference? Or need a refresher course?

Our Leadership Development team will host two Virtual Office Hours focused on using our MC Pro registration system on September 20 from 10 a.m. - 11 a.m.

The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency announced that the Water Infrastructure Finance and Innovation Act (WIFIA) Program has an estimated $7.5 billion in available funding, including $6.5 billion for WIFIA and $1 billion for the State Water Infrastructure Financing Innovation Act (SWIFIA), aimed at supporting around $15 billion in water infrastructure projects.

The WIFIA program not only supports public health, environmental benefits, and local economies by creating over 60,000 jobs, but it also offers flexible financing options, including the ability to defer loan repayments for up to five years and customize payment schedules over a 35-year term. Examples of successful WIFIA-funded projects include California's Orange County Water District's Groundwater Replenishment System Expansion, which allowed the district to lower its interest rate, saving them $75 million in financing costs. Another example is Wichita's new Northwest Water Treatment Facility project, which was able to start 7 years earlier than originally planned due to WIFIA funding. These projects and other developments highlight the program's impact on enhancing water reliability and resilience.

Has your municipality created a program, policy or service that has positively impacted your community? Do you believe your city/town has implemented an innovative best practice or policy?  Then consider submitting it for an MML Municipal Achievement Award. Only one week remains to submit your entry!

The Municipal Achievement Awards are awarded annually to cities and towns that have successfully implemented policies and programs that advance good governance and the well-being of our communities.  Submissions will be accepted through September 25 at 12 noon. Recipients will be honored during the Excellence in Leadership Fall Conference, taking place November 6-8 in Cambridge.

Sign up today for one of three regional tours being planned in conjunction with the MML Excellence in Leadership Fall Conference. Tours are free and open to MML municipal officials registered for the full conference.

Neighborhood Revitalization Tour
November 6, 1 - 2:30 PM
Join the City of Cambridge's neighborhood revitalization team for a walking tour highlighting housing opportunities and urban development. Explore various sites at different stages of the city's revitalization plan, from acquisition to occupancy, and gain insights into community transformation.

Underground Railroad and Harriet Tubman Tour
November 6, 3:30 - 5:00 PM
Explore Cambridge's history with the Harriet Tubman Tour, a captivating under-two-mile journey starting at the local museum. Led by Tubman Museum Director Linda Harris, founder of “We Walk With Harriet, this walking musical lecture traces Harriet Tubman’s extraordinary life from her birthplace and provides a deep connection to her legacy.

Charting Economic Development and Tourism
November 8, 2:30 - 4:00 PM
Discover Cambridge's maritime heritage on the Waterways Economic Development Tour. Explore how the Choptank River and City Marina have driven economic growth, and end with a visit to the Choptank River Lighthouse and its museum, celebrating Dorchester County's maritime history. Ideal for those interested in leveraging local natural resources and future tourism opportunities.

Don't miss the opportunity to experience your choice of one of the three tours being offered. Sign up today!

Last month, the U.S. Department of Transportation (USDOT) announced the opening of the next round of Reconnecting Communities Pilot (RCP) program grants. They have made over $600 million available for both planning and construction projects that seek to restore mobility, accessibility, and community connectivity that is harmed by defined dividing infrastructure facilities. This announcement contains all of the remaining Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act (IIJA) funding for the program. Applications are due Sept 30.

MML’s Excellence in Leadership Fall Conference will connect your organization with attendees who represent 160 local governments across Maryland. Make a lasting impact on Maryland communities while gaining valuable exposure for your brand and mission. Join us in shaping the future of our communities and be recognized as a catalyst for positive change. 

Why Sponsor? 

The Maryland Department of Budget and Management’s Municipal Technical Assistance Program (MTAP) has begun publishing Grant Summary Reports on open Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act (IIJA) and Inflation Reduction Act (IRA) grant programs potentially applicable to Maryland municipalities with open Notices of Funding Opportunities (NOFOs). Grant Summary Reports have been published on Environmental and Climate Justice Community Change Grants (currently open for applications), the Reconnecting Communities Pilot Program (currently open for applications), and the Safe Streets and Roads for All Program (now closed for applications).

Getting a broad cross section of residents engaged on important issues in our communities is as challenging as its ever been.  The Academy for Excellence in Local Governance graduate class at this year's MML Excellence in Leadership Fall Conference will provide participants with insights and skill building to help you better tackle these community engagement challenges.  

Seats are going fast, so be sure to select the Community Engagement Academy graduate class when you register for the conference.  And remember, graduate classes are open to Academy for Excellence in Local Governance graduates only and pre-registration is required.

The Maryland Department of Emergency Management, the Department of Information Technology, and the Maryland State and Local Cybersecurity Grant Program (SLCGP) Planning Committee have released another funding opportunity through the State and Local Cybersecurity Grant Program. The application period began Tuesday, September 3, 2024, and will end Thursday, October 3, 2024.

Through the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act (IIJA), Congress established the State and Local Cybersecurity Grant Program (SLCGP) to “award grants to eligible entities to address cybersecurity risks and cybersecurity threats to information systems owned or operated by, or on behalf of, state, local, or tribal governments.”

Covered projects can include (not limited to):

In line with its all-of-Maryland approach, the Maryland Department of the Environment has contracted the University of Maryland’s Environmental Finance Center to provide no-cost, direct technical assistance to the following 12 counties and municipalities within: Allegany, Calvert, Caroline, Dorchester, Garrett, Kent, Somerset, St. Mary's, Talbot, Washington, Wicomico, and Worcester.

This assistance will be delivered at no cost to recipients through an award from the Maryland Department of the Environment. Available services include assistance identifying climate pollution reduction projects; developing plans; building technical, financial, and managerial capacity; and completing funding application materials.

Nominations are now open for NLC's Centennial Under 40 Impact Awards

MML invites MML Members to participate in an informative webinar hosted by the MML Advocacy Team, where we will thoroughly discuss the recommended legislative priorities set forth by the 2024-2025 Legislative Committee for the upcoming 2025 Maryland General Assembly session. This member-exclusive event is scheduled to take place via Zoom on August 27th, 2024, from 12:00 PM to 1:00 PM. Members, don't miss this opportunity to stay informed about the priorities that will shape our community's future!

With the second half of the 2024 calendar year upon us, MML encourages recipients of ARPA State and Local Fiscal Recovery Funds (SLFRF) to be mindful of the December 31, 2024 fund obligation deadline. Here are some resources from the U.S. Treasury to help your municipality meet the obligation requirement:

The Maryland Department of Transportation (MDOT) Office of Real Estate and Development (ORED) is
seeking information from stakeholders to help inform the new Transit-Oriented Development (TOD)
Capital Grant and Revolving Loan Fund program before an anticipated launch later this year.

MML's partners at Railtowns.org have given us a heads up about an open funding opportunity available to our members with rail infrastructure.