Southern County Task Force

HarfordTV’s monthly community affairs program “Inside Harford County” will now feature questions and answers about the county government issues you care about. To be a part of the program, email your questions to [email protected] or ask your question in a video emailed to that address. Please provide your first and last name and area of the county where you live. Videos must be 10 seconds or less (to be within email data limits) and recorded in landscape (horizontal) orientation. Inside Harford County is available on the HarfordTV website, and on scheduled dates throughout the month on Armstrong channel 7 & HD 101, Comcast channel 21 & HD 1072, and Verizon HD 2131.

Hear Ye, Hear Ye! You are invited to join in “Bells Across America” at 4 p.m. TODAY as part of the national celebration of Constitution Day. Why bells? Bells rang out in Philadelphia on September 17, 1787, to announce the first reading of the U.S. Constitution. Bells Across America recreates this historic event by inviting citizens to ring bells and read the preamble to the Constitution at precisely 4 p.m. in town squares across the country.

When & Where? At 3:45 p.m. today, we will line Main Street in Bel Air outside of the county office building at 220 S. Main Street and the Historical Society at 143 N. Main Street to ring bells (bells will be provided) and read the preamble to the Constitution.

In case you don’t have it memorized, here it is:

The Preamble
We the People of the United States, in Order to form a more perfect Union, establish Justice, insure domestic Tranquility, provide for the common defence, promote the general Welfare, and secure the Blessings of Liberty to ourselves and our Posterity, do ordain and establish this Constitution for the United States of America.

We hope you can join us!

Maryland Approves Harford’s Request for Joppatowne Sustainable Community Designation, Opens Funding Opportunities for Revitalization

Maryland has expanded its Sustainable Communities program in Harford County to include Joppatowne, giving eligible projects in the area access to state programs and incentives supporting economic development and revitalization.

"Expanding the existing Sustainable Community designation along Route 40 to include Joppatowne means that we can pursue additional resources to support local businesses, and improve properties and infrastructure,” County Executive Bob Cassilly said. "This gives us another tool to support investment and build on the strengths of this valued Harford County community.”

The expansion of the existing Edgewood Sustainable Community designation to include Joppatowne along Route 40 had been requested by the Cassilly administration, which was notified in a September 4 approval letter from the state Department of Housing and Community Development.

Maryland’s Sustainable Communities program connects designated areas with resources from multiple state agencies to support locally driven revitalization. For businesses, property owners, nonprofits and community partners in the Joppatowne area, the designation opens opportunities for eligible projects ranging from commercial property improvements to larger redevelopment efforts. Available state programs include:

• Community Legacy: Funding for business attraction and retention, commercial revitalization, home rehabilitation, streetscape improvements and other projects.

• Strategic Demolition Fund: Funding for redevelopment activities including property acquisition, site development, demolition, and architectural and engineering work.

• Maryland Façade Improvement Program: Funding to support exterior improvements to commercial properties within Sustainable Communities.

Harford County has leveraged the existing Sustainable Community designation to support investment along the Route 40 corridor in Edgewood. In 2025, the county received $450,000 in state revitalization funding for the area, including $100,000 for critical home repairs for eligible homeowners and $350,000 to support the revitalization of Edgewater Village Shopping Center and surrounding community.

With the expansion into Joppatowne, Harford County and community partners can pursue similar opportunities to support investment and revitalization in the newly designated area.

Sustainable Community designations are guided by locally developed action plans and encourage collaboration among residents, businesses, nonprofits, local government and state agencies. For more information, contact the Harford County Department of Economic Development at 410-638-3059.

The expanded Edgewood and Joppatowne designation is valid for five years.

755 Alliance

📅 Mark Your Calendars!

The City of Aberdeen’s next Yard Waste Collection Day is just one month away! 🌿🍂

✅ Saturday, September 19th

Come out to talk with our staff at the Epicenter of Edgewood’s Epic Connect Resource Fair. Learn how we are connected to the community in Edgewood and beyond.

Join us at Victory Street Park on August 19 from 5:30–7:30 p.m. for our Community Appreciation Gathering!

Enjoy food from Chick-fil-A and Pat’s Select Pizza, face painting by SRO Senior Officer Baust, a K-9 demonstration, and a backpack giveaway. Food and backpacks will be available while supplies last.

A special thank-you to Chick-fil-A Aberdeen and Pat’s Select Pizza Aberdeen for their generous donations in support of this event. Bring the family and spend the evening with your neighbors and the APD!

Harford County Commission on Disabilities Seeks Nominees for 2026 Employment Recognition Awards

The Harford County Commission on Disabilities is seeking nominations for awards in recognition of Disability Employment Awareness Month in October. The awards highlight the accomplishments of employees with disabilities and recognize employers who give them the opportunity to join and excel in the workforce. The deadline for nominations is Friday, September 25, 2026.

“Employees with disabilities bring valuable skills, and fresh perspectives to businesses across Harford County,” County Executive Bob Cassilly said. “These awards celebrate their accomplishments and recognize the employers who are working to build inclusive workplaces where everyone has the opportunity to succeed.”

Anyone can nominate a person, business or other organization that has made an impact in someone’s life or in the community as a whole.

Awards in several categories will be given to the person or organization that consistently supports the advancement of individuals with disabilities in the workplace.

Nominations are now being accepted for the following awards: Employee of the Year, Employer of the Year, Harford County Student Worker of the Year, Accessibility Award, Ruth Helen Thompson Memorial Community Service Award, Media Award, Volunteer of the Year and Veteran of the Year.

This year, the theme "Celebrating Value and Talent” will continue, carrying the spirit of last year's celebration forward through the end of 2026 in honor of America's 250th birthday. The theme showcases the skills and contributions Americans with disabilities add to the nation's workplaces, communities and economy, and ensures that meaningful opportunities in the workforce are available for all.

The 2026 Employment Recognition Awards will be celebrated on Thursday, October 29 at 11:30 a.m. at the Bel Air Armory located at 37 N. Main Street in Bel Air.

Nomination forms and details for each award category are available online at www.harfordcountymd.gov/EmploymentAwards. Tickets for the luncheon are also available by contacting Meredith Easter, Harford County Disabilities Coordinator, at 410-638-3373 or [email protected].

The Harford County Commission on Disabilities was established in 1995 to serve as the voice of the disability community in Harford County. Members are appointed by the county executive, with the approval of the Harford County Council. For over 20 years, the Commission on Disabilities’ Employment Committee has been celebrating the accomplishments of local employees with disabilities with these annual awards.

The Aberdeen Board of Parks and Recreation has served the Aberdeen community since 1963. A group of dedicated volunteers help to facilitate and offer youth programs including Soccer, Basketball, Football (Bulldogs), Cheerleading, Rugby (boys, girls, and Co-Ed touch), Ballet/Tap/Jazz, and Taekwondo. Adult programing featuring Men’s Rugby and Chess are also offered, in addition to the Golden Age Club senior group.

The Aberdeen Board of Parks and Recreation are always looking for new program ideas and volunteers. Those who are interested, please call 410-638-4789. You can visit their website at www.aberdeenpr.com.

Harford County Government