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NEWS RELEASE

July 10, 2008

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Howard County is only Maryland County to make list

Forbes Magazine Ranks Howard County 17th “Best Place to Raise a Family” in the Nation

ELLICOTT CITY, MD – Forbes Magazine recently released its list of America’s “Best Places to Raise a Family,” and Howard County came in at #17 in the nation -- the only county in Maryland to receive this honor.

According to the June 30 issue of Forbes:

“Situated between Baltimore, Maryland and Washington, D.C., Howard County is one of the smartest counties in the country. Its average SAT score of 1,113 trails only Marin County, Calif., on our list. Howard’s public library system holds the top spot in Hennen’s American Public Library Ratings.“

“I agree; our schools are among the best in the nation, and our library is second-to-none,” said County Executive Ken Ulman. “We are excited by this new national designation and honored that Howard County made the ‘Top 20.’ While schools and libraries are critical to our quality of life, I am so pleased to see that many other County programs helped earn this honor: our outstanding parks, recreation programs and more personal factors like community personality, religious climate and proximity to friends and family -- all factors that make Howard County a great place to call home.”

Other national recognitions Howard County has received in the past few years include:

• USA Today -- 2nd “Most Technologically Advanced Community”
• Money Magazine -- 4th “Best Place to Live” – Ellicott City/Columbia
• CNN & Money Magazine -- “Top 5 Most Desirable Places to Live in America”
• Sports Illustrated -- “Good Sports Community” (one of eight)
• American Business Journal -- 9th for “Best Quality of Life”
• National Association of Counties – “Leadership in the Arts” Award