(6/2024) County Secures $1.1 Million Grant to Expand Broadband along Home Stretch

Frederick County’s Office of Broadband will receive $1.1 million to help bring broadband service to rural homes. The Maryland Department of Housing and Community Development awarded a Fiscal Year 2024 grant to Frederick County as part of the State’s Home Stretch – Difficult to Serve Properties program. The goal is to reduce the cost property owners must pay to bring wired broadband service to their houses. In rural areas, service providers often charge thousands of dollars to run fiber from the closest road to a house with a long driveway.

"Broadband service is essential in today’s world," County Executive Jessica Fitzwater said. "People need the Internet for school, to apply for jobs, and to telework. I’m incredibly proud of the work our Office of Broadband is doing to expand access to high-speed Internet to nearly all parts of Frederick County."

Since the Office of Broadband was formed in 2021, the three-person staff has secured an estimated $20 million in grants. When all the programs are implemented, Frederick County will have service available to approximately 97% of households.

Households that may qualify for the Home Stretch program will receive a mailing from the Office of Broadband. Residents who do not receive a postcard may submit a survey to determine their eligibility. The survey can be found online at PublicInput.com/HomeStretch. Funding is limited. Money will be distributed on a first-come basis.

Funding for Maryland’s Home Stretch grants come from the American Rescue Plan Act of 2021 Capital Projects Fund. Counties could apply for up to $1.1 million, making Frederick County’s grant amount the maximum possible.

To learn more about Frederick County’s Office of Broadband, a part of the Division of Interagency Information Technologies, visit ww.FrederickCountyMD.gov/Broadband.

Green Homes Program Launches to Help Create Energy-Efficient Households

Frederick County Executive Jessica Fitzwater announced the launch of a new initiative to assist residents who want to lower home energy costs and live more sustainably. The new Green Homes Program, managed by the Division of Energy and Environment, is open to all county residents. The project is funded by a nearly $1 million grant from the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency’s Environmental Justice Government-to-Government Program.

"These initiatives will contribute to making Frederick County a more energy-efficient, more resilient, and more inclusive community, by assuring that our work to reduce energy use and address climate change includes everyone," County Executive Fitzwater said. "By helping our ALICE households reduce their energy use, we not only help reduce green house gases, but we help families stretch their hard-earned dollars."

"I am thrilled that our work has garnered the support of the EPA and that we are able to work with amazing community partners to give voice to and affect positive change for our community," said Tiara Lester, Sustainability Program Administrator in the Division of Energy and Environment. "Sustainability is for everyone, and together we can make that happen."

The Green Homes Program has three main components:

• The Green Compass program provides Community Navigators to assist residents in finding, understanding, and benefitting from local, state, and federal programs and incentives that can help improve their home environment, lower energy costs, and live sustainably.
• The Green Homes Challenge is a guide to sustainable living that provides participants with incentives and defined actions to support saving energy, making environmentally friendly choices, and using renewable energy.
• The goal of our Green Partnerships is to ensure that all Frederick County residents can benefit from sustainable living. By working with local organizations and community stakeholders, we make "going green" more possible for underserved and overburdened communities.
• Community partners include Mobilize Frederick, Habitat for Humanity of Frederick County, and the Asian American Center of Frederick. These organizations will help to build resilience, educate about air quality and climate, and engage community members. To learn more, visit FrederickCountyMD.gov/GreenHomes.

Frederick County was one of 88 Environmental Justice grants awarded nationally, and one of only four awarded in the D.C./Maryland/Virginia region.

County Office Of Economic Development Partners To Empower Local Businesses Through Mentorship Program

The Frederick County Office of Economic Development is delighted to announce its collaboration with the Small Business Development Center (SBDC) and the Maryland Business Opportunity Center (MBOC) for the 2024 Spring EmPOWER mentorship program. This joint effort is aimed at empowering traditionally underrepresented and small business owners in Frederick County by providing them with support and resources.

"We are incredibly excited about this partnership with the SBDC and MBOC for the EmPOWER mentorship program," said Lara Fritts, Director of the Frederick County Division of Economic Opportunity. "By leveraging our collective resources and expertise, we aim to provide Frederick County’s small and underrepresented businesses with the necessary tools and knowledge to thrive in today's competitive business landscape."

Through this partnership, the EmPOWER Mentorship Program will integrate renowned Pathways to Entrepreneurship Curriculum. Tailored to validate foundational concepts in entrepreneurship and small business management, this curriculum equips participants with the essential skills and knowledge necessary for entrepreneurial success. Mentees will be guided through the business planning process, granted access to various resources, and given the opportunity to earn an Entrepreneurship and Small Business Certification.

"We are thrilled to join forces with the Frederick County Office of Economic Development for the EmPOWER mentorship program," stated Amy Yingling Regional Director of the SBDC. This collaboration represents our shared commitment to fostering inclusive economic development and supporting the growth of small businesses in Frederick County."

Administered by FCOED, the EmPOWER Mentorship Program is designed to cater to underrepresented business owners across different stages of business development. By addressing blind spots, offering fundamental business education, facilitating mentorship with local business leaders, and fostering camaraderie among participants, the program aims to provide a comprehensive support system. There are a total of 15 Frederick County small business owners participating in the six-week mentorship program, representing different industries in Frederick County.

The City of Frederick Department of Economic Development joined forces with FCOED as a Signature Sponsor of the EmPOWER Program, further enhancing services for underrepresented businesses. In addition, the Maryland Business Opportunity Center is the 2024 Spring mentorship sponsor.

For more information contact: Jodie Bollinger, Department Director, Frederick County Office of Economic Development 240-315-8678

County Annual Sustainability Awards Now Open

The Frederick County Sustainability Commission (FCSC) is now accepting nominations for its annual Sustainability Awards program, which recognizes individuals and organizations who have demonstrated a commitment to environmental stewardship and furthering progress toward Frederick County's climate and ecological goals. The application period is open through June 30, 2024.

Applicants may include individuals, students, businesses, and nonprofit organizations that have significantly contributed to increasing the sustainability of our community. Examples of outstanding efforts include but are not limited to: implementing energy efficiency programs, encouraging the use of renewable energy, improving air or water quality, conserving resources, restoring or protecting natural habitats, litter removal, and other actions that help Frederick County "go green." Winners will be recognized by County Executive Jessica Fitzwater later this year at a special awards event.

The FCSC reviews all award applications. The volunteer members of the Commission provide a community-based perspective to Frederick County Government on sustainability-related issues. The Commission works to ensure that the natural environment’s importance and relevance are recognized so that Frederick County will continue to prosper as a healthy, abundant, affordable, and inspiring place to live and work. To that end, their Sustainability Awards recognize the efforts of those who have demonstrated leadership and a commitment to environmentally-sound practices.

Those interested in the awards program can find more information and online applications at www.frederickcountymd.gov/7806/2023-Sustainability-Awards.

More information can also be obtained by contacting Sustainability Program Administrator Tiara Lester at 301-600-1416 or by sending an email to TLester@FrederickCountyMD.gov.

Proposal to Build Residential Housing on Prospect Center Campus to Be Considered for Funding

To help address the critical need for affordable housing, County Executive Jessica Fitzwater has proposed building affordable units on land owned by Frederick County Government. That plan recently earned the support of Congressman David Trone. The Prospect Center Affordable Housing initiative is one of 15 Community Projects requested by the Congressman to receive federal funding. Frederick County applied for $7.5 million. If approved, the funding would be part of the Transportation, Housing and Urban Development federal appropriations bill.

"I am thrilled and grateful that Congressman Trone supports our Prospect Center Campus Affordable Housing Project and has submitted our proposal for consideration for Community Project Funding," County Executive Fitzwater said. "This project is part of my vision for addressing the high cost of housing. We know housing costs place a heavy burden on 36% of Frederick County residents, who struggle to make ends meet, according to the most recent United Way ALICE Report. I am proud to work in partnership with Congressman Trone to address this housing crisis head-on with creative and sustainable solutions."

The Prospect Center Affordable Housing initiative will set the stage for workforce or senior housing on a parcel of land next to the County’s Prospect Center building off Himes Avenue in Frederick. In addition to assessing County-owned land for affordable housing development as a strategy, the Fitzwater Administration is following through on its commitment to conduct a housing needs assessment. This assessment will identify current challenges and create strategic solutions to the shortage of affordable housing. A Request for Proposals for the assessment was posted this week on the County’s website, FrederickCountyMD.gov.

Frederick County Board of Health Recruits Liaisons

The Frederick County Board of Health is now recruiting liaisons to provide their perspectives and expertise to the board. The open liaison positions are for a nurse and someone with a science-related background.

Board of Health meetings take place in public and are held a minimum of twice a year. Liaisons are expected to attend these evening meetings in person. Liaisons are volunteer roles: they will have no voting privileges and will not receive any compensation.

"Our first year of having liaisons on the Board of Health was a great way to include more expertise into our process," said Dr. Barbara Brookmyer, Health Officer for Frederick County and Executive Officer of the Board of Health. "We hope anyone with the qualifications for the two open positions will consider applying and add their unique lived experience and perspective to help us better serve Frederick County."

Anyone interested in serving in one of these positions can complete the application. In addition to the application, resumés and any supplementary details can be emailed to boardofhealth@FrederickCountyMD.gov. Applications are due by 4pm on Thursday, June 20. More details about the Board of Health can be found on their website FrederickCountyMD.gov/BoardofHealth.