ELLICOTT CITY, MD – Howard County Executive Calvin Ball signed legislation establishing a new County flag. Howard County Council formally adopted Howard County’s new flag with the passage of Council Bill 22-2025 on May 5th. The law makes the new design of the official county flag effective Sunday, July 6th.
When we set out on this process more than a year ago, we sought to reimagine this central symbol of our county and come up with a new, lasting flag design that would inspire current and future generations of county residents – our new flag does just that. An enduring symbol of Howard County’s vibrancy and diversity, our new flag is a perfect blend of our past, present, and future, inspiring all who live, work, and play here. With its official adoption, I want to thank all who were involved in our new flag design process along the way. From the members of our resident-led Howard County Flag Commission whose time, input, and recommendations led us through the process, to all who took the time to dream up and submit a new flag design for our county, and to our community members who shared their feedback and participated along the way, we sincerely thank you.
Designed by Ellicott City resident, Ms. Esen Paradiso, Howard County’s new flag features rich, arching lines of gold and white over a field of green and blue. The flag’s design reflects the diversity and inclusion of Howard County’s natural and human resources – an historically proud and future-oriented central Maryland community and represents an evolving agricultural past blended with an optimistic cultural, environmental, and economic future which is cosmopolitan, vibrant, and thriving.
According to Ms. Paradiso, the arch represents both the historical past of Howard County – the Thomas Viaduct in Elkridge, and its dynamic future – the Chrysalis in Downtown Columbia. The stripes represent Howard County’s historical and contemporary abundance of agricultural and natural resources. The golden circle represents the boundless energy of the sun empowering a diverse community with a view toward the horizon, a bright and optimistic future – and a primary color from the Maryland flag as a location anchor for Howard County. The blue represents the optimism of endless skies, the hope of a bright future, and the abundance of natural and recreational resources – lakes, rivers, and waterways. The green color represents the planned preservation and utilization of the natural environment, the continuing investment in a thriving agriculture economy, and the promise of growing a culturally appreciative community.
It was my intention that the flag represent the landscape and the natural and human vitality of Howard County. Ours is a bold and progressive community with a solid foundation in history and the land. I want to thank Dr. Ball, the Howard County Flag Commission, and the people of Howard County who joined this year-long selection process. Winning this flag competition is a recognition I will always treasure.
In March, Ball announced the selection of Ms. Paradiso’s design, from amongst three final designs recommended by the Howard County Flag Commission, as outlined in its Final Report on February 25, 2025. The recommendations were informed by a public vote on the top 10 designs chosen from the 184 eligible design submissions by the Commission in the fall. The Flag Commission was established by Executive Order in January 2024 and charged with conducting a public design process to create a new official Howard County flag.
"It was an honor serving as Chair of the Flag Commission and working with an exceptional and thoughtful group of community leaders on this initiative, who took this work very seriously,” said Coleen West, Executive Director of the Howard County Arts Council and Chair of the Flag Commission. “I'd like to thank my colleagues for our lively discussions, for being considerate and open-minded, and for showing up and doing the work. I can't wait to see the new flag flying at sites throughout the County!"
To learn more about the Flag Commission, visit www.howardcountymd.gov/flag.