HoCo Small-Business Minimum Wage Takes Effect — 2026-07-02

Today's forecast: sunny, high near 102 degrees. Northwest wind 1 to 6 mph.

Good morning. Thursday, July 2. Howard County's new minimum wage for small businesses takes effect this week. The state Board of Public Works approved a forty-eight-and-a-half-million-dollar purchase of Laurel Park race track. County Executive Calvin Ball's July 4th fireworks celebration adds an illuminating drone show for Friday. And heat alerts stay in effect through the Independence Day weekend. This is your morning brief for Howard County.

Howard County's new minimum wage for small businesses takes effect this week. The Baltimore Banner has the details on the tiered small-business rate and how it changes payroll for local employers. The change affects hourly workers at the county's smallest employers and lands right ahead of the July 4 weekend.

The state Board of Public Works approved a forty-eight-and-a-half-million-dollar purchase of Laurel Park race track on Wednesday. The approval clears the way for construction of a new thoroughbred training facility. It also clears the way for the state to sell off a Carroll County property it bought a year ago for the same project. Full write-up is on Maryland Matters.

County Executive Calvin Ball's annual July 4th fireworks celebration returns tomorrow with an illuminating drone show added to the traditional fireworks display. Full details — venue, timing, and any road closures — are in the county news release from June 30 at howardcountymd.gov.

Today at the library. East Columbia hosts the Teen Summer Programming Block, eleven to three thirty. Meet with a Certified Peer Recovery Specialist from the Howard County Health Department at Elkridge, ten thirty to four. This afternoon: Red, White, and Blue Crafternoon at Elkridge, two to four. This evening: Into the Wilds of America at Savage, five thirty to six — a semiquincentennial tie-in. And Tool Thursday: Jig Saws and Circular Saws at Elkridge, six thirty to seven thirty.

Also today. Stormwater pond repairs are underway in Ellicott City — Patch has the location and timeline. Calvin Ball broke ground last month on Howard County's first Bus Rapid Transit stop, capping a decade-long push to expand high-frequency bus service. Howard County formally joined the Dementia Friendly America Network this spring. Columbia Association marked 25 years of its CA Points program, awarding more than one million dollars in family memberships and programs to 712 students. The Howard County Finance Department refreshed its Tax Credits page at howardcountymd.gov — worth a look if you're checking eligibility. Finance also rolled out Property Tax Digital Communications, a way to receive property tax notices online instead of by mail. The HC Aging and Independence office refreshed its Housing Resources page, covering options for older residents. At East Columbia at ten thirty this morning: Mini AV Studio. At Elkridge from ten to noon: Building Block Party for all ages with an adult. At East Columbia at two: Diamond Painting for ages nine to twelve. At Savage at five: English Conversation Club. At Savage at six: Advanced Anime Association. And at Elkridge at six thirty: Pajama Time for ages zero to five. Heat alerts remain in effect through the Independence Day weekend — full guidance is on the county health page.

Here's what I'm watching. The small-business minimum wage tier finally kicking in — that's real money in the paychecks of a lot of hourly workers at the county's smallest employers. Laurel Park changing hands for forty-eight and a half million clears the way for the training facility the state had been trying to build in Carroll County. And a drone show at Fourth of July is a quiet upgrade of a familiar tradition. Heat is going to be brutal through the weekend — do the outdoor stuff early or late. Stay cool. Back tomorrow.

That's today's brief. Full edition at hocobrief.com — newsletter, archive, send tips. I'm at the desk. See you tomorrow morning.