Dear Community Leaders and Members of Anne Arundel County,

I hope everyone is having a great week and staying cool. I had a great weekend visiting the African Heritage Festival and Quiet Waters Park for River Days. There is one more River Days Festival left this year at Fort Smallwood Park on September 14th. To register, you can visit AACounty.org/RiverDays.

As a heads-up, the Maryland Transportation Authority has issued a warning about increased traffic over Labor Day Weekend. The County News and Updates section has more details below.

The county has also opened several County facilities available to community members in response to prolonged high temperatures & excessive humidity. Visit aacounty.org/cool for locations & hours.

Lastly, I'd also like to send best wishes to our AACPS students, faculty, and staff who returned to school this week. We hope you have a fantastic year full of fun and growth.

Vincent Moulden

Office of the County Executive

Director, CECS

County Executive Pittman in the Community

1. Two Rivers Elementary School Ribbon Cutting | 2. African Heritage Festival | 3. Severn Run High School Ribbon Cutting

Follow the County Executive on social media:

Join Us For River Days

Visit aacounty.org/RiverDays to sign up to join us to celebrate our local rivers and enjoy a day on the water.

Anne Arundel County Receives $1.2 Million Grant To Implement New Hate Crime Prevention Program; Hires Senior Project Manager 

County Executive Steuart Pittman announced the hiring of Nicola “Dr. Nikki” Smith-Kea, PhD as the new Senior Project Manager to manage a $1.2 million grant award through the US Department of Justice to implement the Matthew Shepard and James Byrd, Jr. Hate Crimes Program in the county. Anne Arundel County’s Hate Crime Prevention Program will develop a comprehensive approach to hate crime prevention, investigation, and prosecution and provide services to victims of hate bias incidents. 

Read the full announcement.

Anne Arundel County Watershed Improvement Project Receives Project of the Year Honor

The Anne Arundel County Department of Public Works, Bureau of Watershed Protection and Restoration (BWPR) was awarded the County Engineers Association of Maryland (CEAM) Mid-Sized Project of the Year for the Najoles Road Pond and Restoration Project.

Read more.

Traveling Maryland Toll Roads During the Labor Day Holiday Period?



Ease Travel Delays at the Bay Bridge with Best Times to Cross

The Maryland Transportation Authority (MDTA) encourages drivers to strategize on their travels while maintaining the one common goal that we all have, which is to safely reach our holiday destinations. Including patience on your pack list along with driver courtesy will help us all accomplish this goal. For motorists traveling the Baltimore metropolitan area, it is important to note that the southeast section of I-695 remains closed at MD 173 (Exit 1) on the Outer Loop and MD 151/North Point Boulevard (Exit 42) on the Inner Loop. 

For more information, you may visit here. 

County Detention Facilities Donate 7,000+ School Supplies

This year, the Department of Detention Facilities at Ordnance Road Correctional Center and Jennifer Road Detention Center organized successful school supply drives, collecting 7,146 items. The donations were given to Park Elementary, Freetown Elementary, and Germantown Elementary Schools. All schools expressed their appreciation, noting that the supplies will significantly support their students starting the new school year off right!

Department of Public Works Customer Survey 2024

The Department of Public Works seeks your feedback to improve the services provided. The results of this survey are anonymous, and your honesty is valued. Please contact pwcust00@aacounty.org if you have questions or would like to receive this survey in a different format or language.

Draft Green Notice: Homeowners Association Documents Checklist and Submittal Requirement

The Anne Arundel County Office of Planning and Zoning, in coordination with the Department of Inspections and Permits, provides a guidance memo and documents checklist to notify all interested parties of the minimum requirements for Homeowners Association (HOA) documents. The purpose of this checklist is to ensure that the HOA documents clearly articulate the obligations of the HOA.

Click here to view more information and to leave a comment by September 4, 2024.

Draft Orange Notice: Design and Construction Standards Update Design Manual 

The Department of Public Works (DPW) is updating the Design and Construction Standards.

Click here to view more information and leave a comment by September 10, 2024.

Train to become part of the Anne Arundel- Annapolis Community Emergency Response Team

Anne Arundel - Annapolis Community Emergency Response Team (CERT) has announced its Fall 2024 dates for its 20-hour in-person CERT Basic Training class. Volunteer to become a trained member of your community in emergency response. The training will be held on Friday, September 27 from 6pm-9pm, Sat., September 28 from 8am-5pm, and Sun., September 29, 2024 from 8am-4pm at the Fire Training Academy in Millersville. A disaster simulation will be held on Sunday, October 6 from 1pm-5pm at the same location. Everyone completing the course receives a nationally recognized certification and the opportunity to join Anne Arundel-Annapolis CERT as a member. This is also an opportunity to potentially volunteer to support the County Office of Emergency Management following a disaster.  Our next class will not be until Spring 2025. For questions, contact training@aaacert.org.

Click here for details.

Get ready to dive into a world of endless stories and adventures with Libby. AACPL cardholders can access tons of eBooks and eAudiobooks for free through this app. Enjoy a daily escape. Grab your library card, hop on Libby, and get lost in the pages. Visit aacpl.info/Libby to get started.

County Council Meeting

Below is a list of legislation receiving a public hearing at the upcoming County Council meeting. Let your voice be heard during the public comment period for each of these! For meeting schedules, legislation links, and other relevant information about the Council please click here.

Monday, September 3rd, 2024

Please note: 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 is not scheduled for a hearing at the next meeting.

The Nonprofit Center is a county initiative that supports nonprofit organizations to advance the health and well-being of our residents.

Professional Development Opportunities

While the Nonprofit Center’s 1:1 consultation program concluded this summer and fall programming has yet to arrive, there are still many opportunities for local nonprofits in the meantime. Check out the Professional Development - External Opportunities list we curate including items like a free webinar covering Blocking the Backlash - The Positive Impact of DEI in Nonprofit Organizations. 

Nonprofit Spotlight 

The Nonprofit Center regularly highlights the great work of local nonprofit organizations. In the spotlight this week is the center’s soon-to-be neighbor in Crownsville, The Blue Ribbon Project. Read about the organization and its programs in our website feature.

Grant Opportunities

Baltimore Community Foundation Key Bridge Small Business Support

Submit a Letter of Intent to be Invited to Apply

Nonprofit grantees will help BCF support communities impacted by the Key Bridge collapse, including those in northern Anne Arundel County. The Maryland Tough Baltimore Strong Key Bridge Small Business Support exists to provide relief in terms of technical assistance and place-based investments to support impacted small businesses and the communities in which they are located. 

Click here for details.

United Way of Central Maryland Food Resiliency Grant

Application Deadline: September 12, 2024

The 2025-2026 Food Resiliency Grant is an opportunity for organizations with total annual operating budgets of $500,000 or less to receive up to $10,000 per year for 2 years to carry out community-centered projects that are aimed at building food resiliency in Central Maryland. One organization in Anne Arundel County will be selected.

Click here for details.

U.S. Economic Development Administration Good Jobs Challenge

Application Deadline: September 27, 2024

EDA is now accepting applications for the FY 2024 Good Jobs Challenge Notice of Funding Opportunity, which will invest $25 million into high-quality, locally led workforce training programs. Lead applicants of a sectoral partnership that advance a key technology focus area should note the preference for dealing with workers impacted by changes in technology as well as including worker voice in their partnerships.

Click here for details.

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.

Gibson Island Services Building

Property Location 396 Aberfoyle Road, Gibson Island

Meeting Date: 2024-08-29

In-Person | Time: 6:00 PM

Sherwood Forest, Lot 835

Property Location 835 Robin Hood Hill, Annapolis, MD 21405

Meeting Date: 2024-08-29

Virtual | Time: 6:00 PM

Faith Baptist Church

Property Location E. Furnace Brach Road Glen Burnie, MD 2160

Meeting Date: 2024-09-03

Virtual | Time: 6:00 PM

School Of Incarnation

Property Location 2601 Symphony Lane, Gambrills, MD 21054

Meeting Date: 2024-09-04

In-Person | Time: 6:00 PM

Palisades on the Severn, Lot 6

Property Location 975 Diggs Rd, Crownsville, MD 21032

Meeting Date: 2024-09-04

Virtual | Time: 6:00 PM

Waugh Chapel Business Park at Waugh Chapel Town Centre

Property Location Waugh Chapel Way, Gambrills, MD 21054

Meeting Date: 2024-09-05

In-Person | Time: 6:00 PM

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Newsletter edited by Vincent Moulden and Hannah Thompson.

For media inquiries, please contact Renesha Alphonso.