(8/2024) Application Period for County’s Rural Historic Preservation Grant Program Opens

Eligible owners of historic properties located in unincorporated areas of Frederick County may apply for the Rural Historic Preservation Grant Program beginning September 1. Grant applications will be accepted through November 30. Award notifications will be made in early Spring 2025.

Grants will be awarded on a competitive basis. Applicants may request up to $50,000. To be eligible for funding, properties must meet the following criteria: be located in unincorporated areas of Frederick County; be either designated on the County Register of Historic Places, or a contributing resource in a County designated Historic District; and be in good standing with the County. If the property or district is not currently designated to the County Register of Historic Places, a determination of eligibility must be made by the Historic Preservation Commission prior to applying for a grant. This letter of determination must be included with the application.

Grant funds can be used for expenses associated with exterior work to stabilize, rehabilitate, restore, or preserve historic buildings. Please note that grants will not be awarded for completed work, work that is already underway, new construction, landscaping, or projects that do not meet the U.S. Secretary of the Interior’s Standards for Treatment of Historic Properties.

Workshops will be held on the following dates to provide information about the program and how to apply. Those interested will only need to participate in one workshop. Please register on the website below. Registrants will receive an email prior to the virtual workshops, which will include Microsoft Teams login information.

Workshop Dates: September 3 at noon (virtual); September 11 at 6:30 p.m. Walkersville Library (2 S. Glade Road); September 23 at 6:30 p.m. (viritual); and, and October 7 at 6:30 p.m. Middletown Library.

Applications will be accepted until November 30. To review additional information or register for a workshop, please visit FrederickCountyMD.gov/HistoricPreservation. Questions about the grant program can be emailed to Amanda Whitmore, Historic Preservation Planner, at AWhitmore@FrederickCountyMD.gov.

County Calls for Agricultural Land Preservation Program Applications

The Frederick County Agricultural Land Preservation Program is now accepting applications for the Installment Purchase Program (IPP) easement program. The IPP is the County’s farmland preservation program, which purchases agricultural preservation easements that forever restrict development on prime farmland and woodland.

The Installment Purchase Program was established by the Board of County Commissioners of Frederick County in 2002. Through the use of Installment Purchase Agreements, the program pays the farmer tax-free interest over a 10- to 20-year term, with a balloon lump sum principal payment at the end of the term.

For the first time since 2015, the per acre easement value for the IPP has increased.

"Agricultural land preservation programs provide many opportunities to protect our farmlands and natural resources," said Katie Stevens, Director of the Frederick County Office of Agriculture. "We appreciate County Executive Jessica Fitzwater’s commitment to preserving our farmlands by signing off on an increase in the easement value for this important program"

Since the IPP began in 2002, it has preserved more than 22,881 acres of farmland in Frederick County on 163 different properties. IPP is one of several agricultural preservation programs managed by the Frederick County Office of Agriculture. Together, all programs have preserved over 77,419 acres of farmland in Frederick County, of which 73,514 acres have been permanently preserved.

Requirements for the program can be found on the Office of Agriculture website at www.frederickcountymd.gov/8570/Installment-Purchase-Program-IPP. Interested applicants should contact the Land Preservation Administrator Shannon O’Neil no later than September 3 by calling 301-600-1411 or via e-mail at soneil@frederickcountymd.gov.

FEMA Awards $392,000 to Frederick County Division of Fire & Rescue Services

The Federal Emergency Management Agency announced it is awarding Frederick County’s Division of Fire & Rescue Services over $392,000 to improve the safety of first responders along roadways. Most of the funds will be used to train 1,100 career and volunteer personnel. The award also will pay for highly reflective signs and cones that can be used to alert drivers as they approach an incident.

"Our first responders put their lives on the line every time they show up at a scene. This training is about protecting those who protect us," Frederick County Executive Jessica Fitzwater said. "I am grateful to our Federal delegation, Senators Ben Cardin and Chris Van Hollen and Congressman David Trone, for their support, which helped us to secure this funding."

"Firefighters and first responders deliver life-saving services in all types of emergencies and need to be prepared in any environment. This funding will better train and equip Frederick’s emergency services personnel and help extend and strengthen their critical public safety work," said Senator Cardin.

"Frederick County’s firefighters work tirelessly, putting their lives on the line to keep our communities safe. This federal funding will help ensure they have the training and the resources they need to respond to roadway emergencies while protecting themselves and the public," said Senator Van Hollen, a member of the Senate Appropriations Committee.

"As a member of the House Appropriations Committee, I was proud to help secure this funding through our annual appropriations process, advancing our communities’ safety and equipping our emergency personnel with the skills and tools necessary to protect Marylanders," said Congressman David Trone. "It’s a direct investment in our first responders and the security of every resident, and Team Maryland is getting the job done."

Frederick County’s $392,829 award is made through FEMA’s Assistance to Firefighters Grant program. It will allow firefighters, medics, and officers to be trained on how to safely and quickly clear traffic incidents. The Division of Fire & Rescue Services also plans to conduct exercises to make sure all first responders meet the National Fire Protection Association’s standards for Traffic Incident Management Professional Qualifications.

"Receiving this grant is a significant milestone for our department and a tremendous enhancement to our efforts on the road," said Frederick County Fire Chief Tom Coe, Director of the Division of Fire & Rescue Services. "With these new resources, including advanced training and critical equipment, we are better equipped to ensure the safety and efficiency of our first responders as they face the challenges on highways and roadways. This support not only advances our operational readiness but also underscores the commitment to the well-being of our community and the safety of our heroes on the front lines."

The Assistance to Firefighters Grants are funded through the U.S. Department of Homeland Security’s Fiscal Year 2023 budget. Lawmakers fought to increase/maintain funding for the budget within the FY 2023 appropriations process. Senators Van Hollen and Cardin and Congressman Trone worked to reauthorize the AFG program through FY2028 within the Fire Grants and Safety Act of 2023, which passed Congress and was signed into law earlier this year.

Frederick County Unveils Life Sciences Roadmap to Propel Innovation and Economic Growth

Frederick County Director of Economic Opportunity Lara Fritts announced the launch of a groundbreaking Life Science Roadmap: a strategic initiative designed to foster innovation, drive economic growth, and position Frederick County, Maryland as a global leader in the life sciences industry. This roadmap outlines a clear vision for the future, leveraging the county's unique assets and resources to attract top-tier talent, cutting-edge research, and high-impact investments.

"I am excited to unveil the Life Sciences Roadmap, a visionary plan that will help generate new jobs for people in the life sciences industry," said County Executive Jessica Fitzwater. "This roadmap is a testament to our commitment to innovation, collaboration, and sustainable economic growth. We are confident this plan will position Frederick County as a premier destination for life science research and development."

"The development of the Life Sciences Roadmap is the result of extensive collaboration between key stakeholders, including local government, industry leaders, academic institutions, and community organizations and our office. This united approach ensures that the roadmap is both ambitious and achievable, reflecting the diverse needs and strengths of Frederick County," Ms. Fritts said.

The Roadmap articulates a forward-thinking strategy that aligns with Frederick County’s commitment to fostering a robust life sciences ecosystem. Key objectives of the roadmap include seven pillars to success: Developing industry champions; Investing in knowledge and talent; Infrastructure to support the industry; Site readiness; Marketing and promoting the industry; and, Facilitating funding and services to facilitate research, innovation and commercialization.

As Frederick County embarks on this exciting journey, the Life Sciences Roadmap will serve as a guiding framework, ensuring that the county remains at the forefront of scientific innovation and economic prosperity. The county invites all stakeholders, residents, and businesses to join in this transformative effort, working together to build a brighter, healthier future.

You can find the digital version of the Life Sciences Roadmap at discoverfrederickmd.com/LSRoadmap. For more information about the life sciences and technology industries in Frederick County, contact Solash Aviles in the Office of Economic Development at SAviles@FrederickCountyMD.gov.

The Frederick County Office of Economic Development serves as the primary contact for businesses to start, locate and expand. We do this by connecting them with Federal, State, and local resources. We assist in site selection, workforce recruitment and training, incentives, marketing and more.

County Receives $500,000 for Renovations at Bell Court Senior Apartments

The Maryland Department of Housing and Community Development has awarded $500,000 to Frederick County in Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) program funds for capital improvements at the County-owned Bell Court Senior Apartments in Woodsboro.

"Housing is a top priority for my Administration, especially when it comes to our vulnerable seniors," said Frederick County Executive Jessica Fitzwater. "This grant will be used to make critical improvements to Bell Court Senior Apartments, helping to ensure a high quality of life for residents who are aging in place."

Bell Court is a 28-unit community occupied by very low-income seniors, earning less than 30% of the area’s median income. The one-bedroom, single-story, townhome-style units have rents that do not exceed 40% of income. The property was built in 1996 through the Maryland Partnership Rental Housing Program. The Frederick County Division of Housing manages the apartments, the community center, and the residents’ association.

Frederick County will use the CDBG funds to replace the heating and air conditioning systems in each apartment and in the community center, install accessible showers in the resident’s bathrooms, repair sidewalks, and replace the flooring in the apartments.

The national Community Development Block Grant program was enacted into law by Congress as part of the Housing and Community Development Act of 1974. Since then, the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) program has supported community redevelopment, affordable housing, and the expansion of economic opportunities.

CDBG consists of two parts — the Entitlement Program and the States and Small Cities Program. The Entitlement Program is managed by HUD and provides federal funds directly to larger metropolitan counties and cities. The States and Small Cities Program provides federal funds to states, then state agencies distribute assistance to rural counties, cities and towns.

Frederick County Workforce Services Leads Initiative to Strengthen Construction and Skilled Trades Industry

Frederick County Workforce Services (FCWS) has embarked on a comprehensive initiative to support and strengthen the Construction and Skilled Trades Industry, a vital sector that accounts for 11.7% of all jobs in the county and plays a pivotal role in the local economy. This initiative aligns with County Executive Fitzwater’s 2023 transition report, which highlighted economic development, jobs, and workforce development as top priorities for the administration.

"Every sector in our economy relies on the skilled trades, so supporting these local businesses and organizations is essential to the entire community," County Executive Fitzwater said. "Workforce Services’ recent listening tour provided important information about the industry’s needs. This will allow us to move forward strategically to best serve Frederick County employers and job seekers."

Recognizing the nationwide challenge of recruiting and retaining skilled workers, FCWS conducted a Listening Tour in the fall and winter of 2023, engaging with more than 30 local businesses. These discussions focused on key themes such as recruitment strategies, workforce challenges, skill requirements, and future outlooks. The insights gathered have been instrumental in developing tailored programs aimed at bridging the gap between talent and local businesses, thereby contributing to the economic growth of Frederick County.

In response to the findings from the Listening Tour, FCWS led a Workforce Engagement Summit on April 10, 2024. Supported by County Executive Fitzwater, the summit brought together over 25 government agencies, community non-profit organizations, educational institutions, and trade associations. The event provided an interactive forum for participants to discuss the needs of Trades employers, exchange ideas and best practices, and propose innovative and collaborative solutions to address critical areas for the county’s more than 1,000 Trades employers.

Key Findings from the FCWS Listening Tour:

• Candidate quality was identified as a more significant concern than candidate availability.
• Businesses report success in leveraging partnerships to develop talent pipelines.
• Transportation and dependent care remain the most significant external challenges.
• Gaps in soft skills, aptitudes, and attitudes identified as barriers to meeting recruitment needs.
• Majority of future hiring needs are projected to be full-time positions with advancement potential.
• Unskilled candidates require significant training/retraining impacting time and retention.
• Most employers are concerned about talent pipeline of new workers in the future.

The Construction and Skilled Trades Industry faces numerous recruitment and retention challenges, many of which are shared nationally, but also include unique barriers such as reputational perception and misunderstandings regarding the opportunities and benefits within the industry. The comprehensive exploration of these issues through direct engagement with Frederick County businesses has culminated in a post-summit report. This report, now available to the public, includes Workforce Engagement Summit Proposed Solutions and conclusions, and will guide FCWS in shaping future workforce development strategies to better assist the industry.

"Our Workforce Services team worked diligently this year to reach out to businesses to further understand the workforce needs of Frederick County's skilled trades industry," said Director of FCWS, Michelle Day. "This report will serve as a roadmap for us in designing programs and creating partnerships with organizations who can play a key role in addressing these needs."

Frederick County Workforce Services (FCWS), a department within Frederick County Government’s Division of Economic Opportunity, provides high-quality and innovative workforce development services to Frederick County residents and employers. FCWS acts as a conduit between the workforce and the talent needs of local businesses and individuals seeking employment and career opportunities.

Recruit Classes 36 & 37 Graduate from Frederick County Fire and Rescue Training Academy

The Frederick County Division of Fire and Rescue Services will congratulated 40 of its newest members on Friday, August 23. The 28-week training academy began on February 12. In addition to challenging daily physical fitness conditioning, the recruits participated in over 1,000 hours of coursework, including Emergency Medical Technician, Emergency Vehicle Operator, Firefighter I, Firefighter II, Hazardous Materials Operations, Rescue Technician - Site Operations, Technical Rescue: Common Passenger Vehicle Rescue, Firefighter Safety and Survival, Truck Company Operations, and Arson Detection for the First Responder.

Recruit Class 36 members are: Dylan Adelsberger, Riley Becker, Cameron Bradley, Gunther Gillespie, Daniel Huerta, Anthony Keseling, Charleston Laymon, Miles Leister, Matthew Levy, Christian Locy, Noah Ranno, Erik Robert, Ethan Sage, Andrew Schrider, Geraghty Showe, Michael Stitely, Dakota Weaver, Zachary Welch, and Rodney Williams.

Recruit Class 37 members are: Jacob Ardary, Marc Chlebowski, Chase Christian, Avery Drew, Andrew Ebbert, Braxton Foreman, Thomas Garvey, Wyatt Heistand, Dallas Jameson, Wyatte Johns, Jacob Jones, Adam Knight, Jacob Lamartina, Colton Lawler, Nicholas Patterson, Abiram Perez, Cade Price, Bryan Roby, Daniel Scott, Bryce Speert, and Noah Stone.

The Recruit Classes were supervised and led by Frederick County Fire and Rescue Battalion Fire Chief of Training Francis Malta, Captain Daniel Winters, Lieutenant Jesse Gibson (RC 36), and Lieutenant Krystal Lowry (RC 37). Instructional sessions were supported by several employees assigned to the Operations Section of the Division of Fire and Rescue.