The total amount is just under $33-million.
Washington DC. (KM) – Four projects in Frederick County are part of Representative David Trone’s request for Community Project Funding for the 6th District for fiscal year 2023.
He says one project is the East Street Liberty Road Bridge Crossing for the City of Frederick. It involves the construction of a foot bridge for pedestrians and bicyclists over Route 26. “It completes safe travel through Frederick without the need of an automobile for 25-miles over six corridors. And it’s $4.8-million,” he says.
A second project for the City of Frederick is $1.3-million for refurbishments and upgrades to the city’s Permanent Supportive Housing, Food Distribution Center and Soup Kitchen.
“The City of Frederick appreciates the strong support we continue to receive from Congressman Trone regarding projects that advance important goals in our community,” said Mayor Michael O’Connor, in a statement. “The East Street Rails and Trails project, including the bridge over Route 26, will create an important connection for bicyclists and pedestrians improving transportation options for everyone. Our Housing and Human Services renovations at 100 South Market Street will enhance service delivery to our residents most in need and while recognizing the changes needed to meet our customers in post COVID.”
Representative Trone has also placed $4-million for a STEM workforce development program at Mount Saint Mary’s University in Emmitsburg in the Community Project Funding for fiscal year 2023. . “So they’re going to be able to add 20,000 feet of computational and laboratory space up at Mount Saint Mary’s,”: Trone says.
“Mount Saint Mary’s University is grateful to Congressman Trone for his support of the university’s expansion and renovation of our STEM research facilities to support American competitiveness in high demand fields such as computer science, data science, cybersecurity, neuroscience and biological, environmental and physical sciences, as well as contribute to a highly trained STEM workforce for the state of Maryland,”: says Mount President Dr. Timothy Trainor, in a statement. “We are honored to be blending superb classroom instruction with research monitored by top-tier scientists in educating diverse and ethical STEM students who will help lead the STEM-oriented US economy in the decades ahead.”
STEM stands for science, technology, engineering and mathematics.
The fourth project being funded by Community Project Funding is the purchase of equipment by Frederick County Government. “About $700,000 for Frederick County for medical equipment for their new crisis stabilization center that they’re building,” says Congressman Trone. “Last year, we funded the crisis stabilization center. And this year we got $700,000 for all of the equipment they’ll be needing.”
“We know Frederick County needs a crisis stabilization center to provide care and a safe place for people with mental health and substance abuse issues where they wait to connect to other long-term care services,” says County Executive Jan Gardner, in a statement. “Advancing this center is a priority of my Administration. I am grateful for the support of Congressman Trone and our entire Federal delegation on this project so we can provide this missing piece of our behavioral health care continuum.”
The Community Project Funding was established last year by Congress.. “Where we go to the community, and the community gets together and says ‘here’s what we need,’” Representative Trone says. “Get everybody in agreement and get letters of support so it’s totally a cohesive approach.”
Trone says last year, ten local projects he submitted from the 6th District received federal funding. He’s hoping the 15 presented this year will also receive federal support.
The bill containing these projects has passed the House Appropriations Committee, which Trone is a member. He anticipates the full House of Representatives will approve it in July, and the US Senate later this year.
In addition to the five projects in Frederick County, the Community Project Funding for the 6th District also includes projects from Montgomery, Washington, Allegany and Garrett Counties. The total requested funding is $32.7-million.
By Kevin McManus