07.16.12 Howard County Earns National Association of Counties’ Achievement Awards for Innovation

July 16, 2012

Media Contact: Kevin Enright, Director, Office of Public Information, 410-313-2022

Howard County Earns National Association of Counties’ Achievement Awards for Innovation

Inter-County Broadband Network earns “Best in Category” Designation

ELLICOTT CITY, MD – County Executive Ken Ulman announced today that Howard County was recognized during the National Association of Counties (NACo) 2012 Summer Conference with a “Best in Category” Achievement Award for the One-Maryland Inter-County Broadband Network (ICBN). The award was presented to Executive Ulman on Sunday, July 15, at the NACo Achievement Awards Reception; Howard was only one of 19 counties nationwide to earn a “Best in Category” designation. In addition, four other County programs also earned achievement awards: The Door to Health Care, NotifyMeHoward, the Board to Promote Self-Sufficiency, and the Residential Food Scrap Pilot Program.

“The ICBN project demonstrates that local government can not only be more efficient and responsive, but we can be innovative and collaborate with others to strengthen services and communities across Maryland,” said Executive Ulman. “This award acknowledges the leadership of our Department Technology and Communications, and I am proud to see our efforts serve as a model for other jurisdictions.”

“By taking the initiative on behalf of the State of Maryland and understanding the needs of our local communities, we will deliver the connectivity and bandwidth needed to lead our region to an unprecedented platform for innovation,” said Ira Levy, Director of Howard County’s Department of Technology and Communications.

The NACo Achievement Awards program recognizes innovative county government programs that modernize and streamline county government and increase its service to residents. Howard County was one of only three Maryland jurisdictions to be honored this year, and joins Montgomery County in receiving special designation as a “Best in Category” winner.

“On behalf of the nation’s counties, I commend Howard County and all counties who received NACo Achievement Awards this year,” said NACo President Lenny Eliason.

For more information on the NACo Achievement Awards, visit www.naco.org.