(11/2024) As November arrives, we look forward to the upcoming holiday season spent with friends, family, and neighbors. Let us not forget that this month includes a special holiday for honoring those who have served our nation with Veterans Day on November 11.

I am proud to highlight one of Frederick County’s own traditions – the Brunswick Veterans Day Parade. Known as one of the oldest Veterans Day parades in the country, this event brings together people from Frederick County and beyond to pay tribute to the service and sacrifice of those who served. I encourage all to attend this year’s parade on Sunday, November 10 to honor our veterans and support one another in our community. The opening ceremony begins at 1 PM and the parade begins at 2 pm.

While we take this time to honor our veterans, it is also important to reflect on how we can continue to build a strong, vibrant community. I recently had the opportunity to share our progress and outline future goals in my annual State of the County Address. I am proud to report that the state of the County is strong.

It isn’t enough, though, to say that the County is strong. We must measure ourselves against the vision laid out in the Livable Frederick Master Plan. We want – and are working towards – a community where people live, work, and thrive while enjoying a strong sense of place and belonging.

We are the fastest growing County in the state, which creates opportunities. People want to live and invest here. Young families want to raise their kids, and older residents want to enjoy their golden years here. Entrepreneurs want to create things here.

Growth also creates challenges, which we are meeting head-on with practical solutions to protect the things that make this community so attractive to so many people.

Our public schools are one of our greatest strengths. The Frederick County Public Schools’ team works tirelessly to provide a diverse and inclusive learning environment, and our educators are committed to meeting the needs of every child, every day.

From making historic investments in K – 12 education, to working with the school system to reduce overcrowding, to preparing students to enter the workforce, Frederick County is making investments in education that will transform lives.

I am excited to announce a commitment to upgrade Frederick County Public Schools career and technical education. A steering committee has been formed to examine the existing facilities and offerings, and then make recommendations. The resulting Career and Technical Education Strategic Master Plan will outline what would be required to provide a world-class career and technical education program.

As we help new workers prepare to enter the workforce, we are making our economy more inclusive for all residents. We do this by creating transit solutions, expanding access to childcare, investing in entrepreneurs, improving access to technology in underserved communities, and lifting up our Main Street businesses. Our economy thrives on innovation. Our manufacturing and technology sectors are thriving, making new investments and creating good jobs in our community.

As we continue to attract business investment and create high quality jobs, we will never lose sight of our agricultural heritage or our obligation to grow responsibly and sustainably. We are committed to preserving our land, preserving our history, and using technology to make Frederick County more sustainable and resilient.

At the State of the County Address, I announced plans to double the number of preserved acres of agricultural and forested land. This new goal of protecting 160,000 acres will ensure that Frederick County maintains its rural character for future generations.

As part of becoming more sustainable and resilient, Frederick County has been working on a comprehensive housing needs study which will be used to develop a countywide housing strategy. We continue to leverage County real estate assets to create more affordable housing while fighting against housing discrimination.

The way we deliver health and social services is improving as well. This year, we pioneered a new model for helping vulnerable seniors age in place, our first responders and public health officials worked collaboratively to help people battling addiction, and we implemented new ways to help people in crisis.

The people in our workforce are our most important asset, and I am committed to making Frederick County an employer of choice and a place where the best people come to work. In addition, partnerships are an incredibly important asset to solving the problems our residents face. Frederick County Government is building partnership with local nonprofits, businesses, schools, and healthcare organizations to better serve our residents.

This is a thriving community, where people can feel a strong sense of place and belonging. We embrace our community’s diversity and vibrance. Each one of us is unique and worth celebrating. And we know that being intentional about including everyone is meaningful.

Looking back at the things we’ve accomplished this year is humbling. By working together with people throughout the county – elected officials, community leaders, and dedicated public servants alike – our community is thriving, and I can say with confidence that the state of Frederick County is strong.