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August 28, 2009

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Howard County is only Maryland County to make list

U.S. News & World Report Ranks Ellicott City as One of Top 10 Best Places to Live for Pet Lovers

ELLICOTT CITY, MD – U.S. News & World Report recently released its list of America’s “10 Best Places to Live for Pet Lovers,” and Ellicott City, Maryland is on the list -- the only community in Maryland to receive this honor.

According to the August 17 article in U.S. News & World Report, “we focused on weather, population density, and the availability of green space when creating our top 10 list for best places to live for pet lovers. After narrowing down the field based on those factors, we interviewed pet experts on the most animal-friendly towns.”

Ellicott City was selected because of its location – “an easy drive from Baltimore’s animal shelters and also offers more than 100 square miles of green space within 15 miles of the city.”

“I always knew Howard County was a great place to live and a good place to raise a family – Money Magazine and Forbes Magazine certainly agree,” said County Executive Ken Ulman. “Lately I’d been hearing other good things from both Fishy and Bait, the pets who live at my house. Fishy and Bait are Beta fish who seem to be thriving, thanks to the tender loving care of my daughters Maddie and Lily. I guess it was only a matter of time until U.S. News & World Report caught on (pun fully intended) to the fine life pets and their owners are enjoying in Howard County.”

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
• Forbes Magazine – 17th “Best Place to Raise a Family” in the nation