By Lillian Reed
Baltimore Banner, 7/1/2026
Employees at Howard County’s smallest businesses are getting a raise in July thanks to a pandemic-era law that established incremental hikes to the minimum wage beginning in 2022.
The wage floor is now $16 an hour for county businesses with 14 or fewer employees, along with nonprofits and entities that provide home and health services and food services. It’s the final adjustment spelled out in the law before the county’s local minimum wage increases shift to being set by the consumer price index in 2027.
The law puts Howard County’s minimum wage ahead of the state as a whole. It’s currently $15 per hour. Neighboring Montgomery County has taken a similarly aggressive approach. ...
Some businesses welcome the increase.
Brian England, owner of BA Auto Care in Columbia, credits his employees for the shop’s success.
“As we see every day on the shop floor, fairly compensated employees provide better service, are more productive and build better relationships with customers, leading to more return customers and referrals,” England said in a statement shared by Business for a Fair Minimum Wage. “Raising the minimum wage lifts workers and businesses alike and will drive more economic growth that small businesses need right now.”
England and others, including labor unions, community advocates and residents, supported the bill in 2021. ...