Standard&Poor's Ratings Services assigned its 'AA' long-term rating, and stable outlook, to Washington County, Md.'s series 2010A and 2010B general obligation (GO) public improvement bonds and series 2010 GO public improvement refunding bonds. The county plans to issue the series 2010B bonds as taxable Build America Bonds. Standard&Poor's credit ratings do not address the tax credit component of this issue. At the same time, Standard&Poor's affirmed its 'AA' long-term rating and underlying rating (SPUR), with a stable outlook, on the county's existing GO parity debt outstanding. In our opinion, the rating reflects the county's: Role as a regional employment center with commutable access to Washington and Baltimore, offering residents additional economic and employment opportunities;
