Prince George's County · issues
Civic issues
Topics getting the most attention in Prince George's County public meetings, ranked by how frequently they come up.
County-Owned Grocery Store Implementation Plan
CR-115-2026 concerns an implementation plan for a county-owned grocery store, an effort to address food access gaps in underserved areas of the county.
Street Vending Regulation and Enforcement
The county will now fine illegal street vendors — a mandatory warning first, then $500/$1,000/$2,000 — starting a year from now, alongside a new pilot program creating legal vending zones with permits. Residents in Langley Park and Chillum pushed for cleanup and safety; vendors and advocates warned there is currently no license pathway at all.
2026 Summer Youth Enrichment Program Outcomes
The county's summer youth jobs and enrichment program was briefed to the committee — a key summer opportunity for young residents to earn and learn.
Own the Block commercial real estate education initiative
Many commercial property owners in the county live elsewhere, so the profits — and the pride of ownership — leave town. This program would teach residents how to buy and manage commercial real estate themselves.
High-Wage Employer Fast Track Program (CB-105-2026)
The bill would create a single expedited approval process for employers meeting wage, investment, and job-quality standards, aiming to attract high-paying jobs to the county. The main sticking point is cost: agencies say they lack budget and staffing for dedicated permit project managers, though Draft 2 spreads duties across multiple agencies.
$215M National Harbor Sphere venue bond financing
The county is considering up to $215 million in special obligation bonds to help build an immersive entertainment venue at National Harbor and refinance the 2022 bonds. The money is repaid from tax increment, hotel tax, and PRA tax revenues at National Harbor — not the county's general credit — but the committee refused to take a position, leaving the fight for the full council.
National Harbor immersive entertainment venue financing
The county is being asked to authorize up to $215 million in special obligation bonds to help build a Sphere-style entertainment venue at National Harbor and refund older 2022 bonds. Repayment would come from tax increment, hotel taxes and other district revenues, not the county's general credit. The committee declined to take a position, leaving the decision to the full council.
Cannabis Reinvestment and Restoration Board overhaul
The bill rewriting how the cannabis reinvestment board works was amended four times and sent to the full Council with a unanimous favorable recommendation.
County equity stakes in development projects
The County Equity Participation Authority Act, which would let the county co-own development projects through special purpose entities, was postponed indefinitely — a significant economic development tool left on the shelf.
Project labor agreement dispute on the Sphere project
Sphere refused to sign a PLA, arguing only ~10% of county construction trades are unionized and a PLA would exclude minority and merit-shop contractors. Union representatives and several council members demanded enforceable labor agreements as a condition of any county funding.
Returning citizen employment requirements and incentives
Two bills moved forward: CB-101 requires 5% of new hires on large county contracts be returning citizens (as amended), and CB-102 doubles and speeds up employer reimbursements under the re-entry incentive program. Both aim to cut recidivism and expand job pathways.
AI Education and Workforce Readiness
Briefings covered how PGCPS is rolling out AI tools for students and families, and how Bowie State is building AI career pathways. The goal is preparing county students for jobs in a fast-changing tech economy.
Sister city relationship with Kumasi, Ghana
The council formally established a sister city relationship with Kumasi, Ghana, opening doors for cultural and educational exchanges.
Capital Plaza restaurant pad site
A small 1,910-square-foot restaurant with drive-through service will be built on a pad within the Capital Plaza shopping center on Annapolis Road after the council waived review.
Apprentice requirements on county public works contracts
CB-062-2026, amended in committee, would require contractors on public works projects to employ workers from registered apprenticeship programs and boost damages for violations — aimed at building the local skilled-trades pipeline.
Prevailing wage and apprenticeship requirements on public works
CB-062-2026, amended in committee, would require contractors on public works projects to employ workers from registered apprenticeship programs and boost damages for violations — aimed at building the local skilled-trades pipeline.
Hotel and Motel tax revenue reassigned to Destination Prince George's
Money from the hotel and motel tax will flow to a new entity, Destination Prince George's, instead of Experience Prince George's, to promote tourism and economic investment. The committee backed it with amendments.
Agritourism promotion plan
The county wants State, regional and local agencies working together to promote agritourism — farm visits, wineries and rural attractions — in identified areas. It's aimed at boosting rural parts of the county and drawing visitors.
Agritourism and Winery Promotion Pilot Program
Two new resolutions promote county farms and wineries — one builds a partnership plan for agri-tourism, the other launches a $50,000 pilot program for winery signage and marketing.
Quantum science workforce development
The Council adopted a resolution urging schools, employers, and agencies to work together on training, apprenticeships, and career pathways in the emerging quantum science economy.
Veteran-owned business procurement opportunities (CB-024-2026)
A set of bills would give county procurement preferences to veteran-owned and locally-owned businesses, create a diverse supplier prime contractor program, and incentivize restaurants with fine dining awards and reduced permit fees. The goal is keeping more county spending with local businesses and attracting restaurants.
Attracting and growing fine dining and sit-down restaurants
Four new laws make it easier for local, veteran-owned and diverse businesses to win county contracts and cut permit fees for sit-down restaurants, plus incentives to attract fine dining. The aim is growing the local economy and dining options.
Business and restaurant support legislation
Four new laws make it easier for local, veteran-owned and diverse businesses to win county contracts and cut permit fees for sit-down restaurants, plus incentives to attract fine dining. The aim is growing the local economy and dining options.
Apprenticeship Incentive Program
The county wants to grow apprenticeships in tech, construction, building trades, and healthcare by having Employ Prince George's and other agencies offer a package of incentives. More apprenticeships mean more paid pathways into good careers for county residents without needing a four-year degree.
Discovery District quantum and AI economy
A resolution pushing schools, employers, and agencies to work together to prepare residents and students for the emerging quantum science economy — training, mentorship, curriculum alignment, and career pathways.
FY 2027 Capital Budget Review — Redevelopment Authority
Staff read a long list of candidate capital projects — including a $200 million Laurel High School rebuild, $25 million Bowie Aquatic Center, $300 million Camp Springs multi-gen facility, and dozens of road resurfacing projects — so council members can advocate for them in negotiations.
Child Care Expansion and Affordability Package
OCS is working with the County Executive's office and CAO to identify space for an on-site child care facility for county employees — a recruitment and retention perk in the making.
Tech company MOUs and youth tech pipeline
OIT is pushing Microsoft, AWS, Motorola and other vendors it pays millions to sign MOUs committing resources to county schools and youth programs, plus hackathons and six summer interns.
Bob Hall, Inc. beverage distribution expansion
The council confirmed the existing AG/IE zoning is appropriate on 31.71 acres near Upper Marlboro, clearing the way for a major expansion of the Bob Hall beverage distribution operation.
Employ Prince George's FY 2027 Budget
The county's workforce agency lost 18 positions, expects ARPA grant money to end, and may lose its National Harbor center lease. Its career coach program in schools is growing, and it's pushing to speed up its re-entry employer incentive payments from 12 months to 90 days.
Job growth far behind Plan 2035 goals
Chair Dernoga flagged that roughly 48,000 approved housing units sit unbuilt while permit activity and multifamily construction drop — with only one multifamily permit issued in FY 2026. The committee asked DPIE to share its state-required annual permit report to help figure out why approvals aren't turning into homes.
Dunkin' drive-through at Sansbury Crossing
A 1,282-square-foot Dunkin' with a drive-through is planned on Ritchie Marlboro Road. The council declined to review the Planning Board's approval, so the project can move forward.
Liquor license caps and ownership equity
Class A liquor licenses have been frozen since 1996 and small-restaurant licenses capped at 215, and the board doesn't collect demographic data on licensees. Members raised concerns that the cap shuts out minority and women entrepreneurs; an equity license bill is moving in Annapolis.
Support for local and diverse-owned businesses in county contracting
WSSC wants authority to give preferences to local, small, and veteran-owned businesses on its $4.8 billion capital program. Committee members pressed hard on how much of the utility's spending actually reaches Black- and Latino-owned firms and want the bill held while they explore amendments.
FFC First federal compliance and funding pressures
The county's only CDFI says federal oversight, SBA program changes, and CDFI recertification uncertainty are eating staff capacity and slowing loans to small businesses — while the county grant was cut $55,000 for a second straight year. That could mean less capital for underserved local entrepreneurs.
Vacant retail space and business-property owner matchmaking
Multiple council members said property management companies report no relationship with the EDC, leaving vacant strip centers filled with low-quality tenants. The EDC says it has the vacancy data but hasn't communicated it; members requested reports and offered to help broker connections.
Economic Development Incentive Fund Briefing
The Council got a rundown on how the EDI Fund lends and leverages funds to attract and grow county businesses, including year-to-date loan performance.
Blue Line Corridor Development
County officials presented concepts for the Blue Line Corridor, including Metro joint developments, a sports headquarters and practice facility, an amphitheater, and projected economic impact.
County Equity Participation Authority Act (CB-001-2026)
The county wants the power to take ownership stakes in development projects so residents share in the upside of public investment. The bill includes safeguards limiting financial exposure and requiring council approval, but it was held for more work with the administration.
Beer and wine at grocery stores pilot
The council's pilot program to allow beer and wine sales at retail grocers got a lukewarm-but-open reception from Delegate Williams, who suggested removing the sunset provision to attract real investment.