(8/2021) Frederick County Among "Healthiest Communities" in United States

Frederick County was named among the Healthiest Communities in the nation, according to a recent U.S. News & World Report ranking. The County ranked among the top 10 percent of counties nationwide. Communities were ranked based on several criteria, including access to housing, food, and care. Metrics focused on the economy, equity, health, environment, and community vitality.

Frederick County scored a full 10 points higher than the average for Maryland counties in the 2021 listings, with a score of 70 out of 100. The U.S. average score was 48. Top performance measures for Frederick County included economy, public safety, and education. Eleven of the State’s 24 counties or county equivalents appeared in the top 500 Healthiest Communities.

"It’s an honor to be named one of the nation’s healthiest communities. This acknowledgement is a testament to our committed efforts in Frederick County to ensure that all of our residents have access to top-notch health care and a high quality of life," County Executive Jan Gardner said.

The Healthiest Communities rankings are a collaboration between the Aetna Foundation and U.S. News & World Report.

Community Grant Program Recreation Facility Grants

Frederick County, through its Parks and Recreation Commission (FCPRC) is accepting applications from eligible non-profit community organizations that provide recreation opportunities for county residents, for funding from its Community Grant Program for fiscal year 2022 (beginning July 2021). The following organizations are eligible and may apply for grants: Homeowners Associations, Civic/Community/Service Organizations, Athletic Associations and Recreation Councils.

Grants are for the purpose of improving existing recreation facilities or constructing new ones on land owned or utilized by the organization. Funding is not allowed on land owned by federal, state, municipalities or Frederick County. Funds will be provided prior to project construction and can be applied towards the cost of materials, equipment and contracted labor. Construction labor may be provided by any combination of volunteer service by the organization and/or paid contractors. Grants will not be awarded to meet the annual maintenance needs for existing facilities. Projects must be completed within two years of July 1st of the funding year (For FY2022, this will be June 30, 2023).

A single application summary page and project priorities/funding sheet with the appropriate attachments is completed and serves as the organization’s presentation of their project. A FCPRC sub-committee objectively evaluates the application and project. Scores are assigned according to the following criteria: 1) Recreational and Community Value, 2) Project and Planning, 3) Site Plan/ Master Plan and 4) Local Contribution. The sub-committee’s recommendation is forwarded to the FCPRC who makes the final decision. Applicants are provided a copy of the Project Evaluation Form, which indicates scores and comments, by the evaluators.

Additional information and applications are available by contacting the Division of Parks and Recreation at 301-600-1646. Applications must be received by 4:30pm., Friday, August 6. It is expected that organizations will be notified by November regarding grant awards. A budget of $50,000 has been approved for FY2022. General Information on the Frederick County Division of Parks and Recreation may be found on its web site: www.recreater.com.

Darwick Appointed Director of Volunteer Fire & Rescue Services

Assistant Chief M. Shane Darwick has been appointed to the position of Director of Volunteer Fire and Rescue Services. Darwick succeeds retired Director Kevin Fox. The director of Volunteer Fire and Rescue Services supports the work of, and coordinates with, Frederick County’s volunteer fire and rescue companies. The County Council approved the appointment today.

"Shane’s knowledge, work experience, strong communication skills, and work ethic makes him ideal for the director position," Executive Gardner said. "He is well respected by staff and volunteer companies, and has done an exemplary job serving as the assistant chief of the Volunteer Fire & Rescue Services."

Mr. Darwick joined Frederick County in 2019 as Assistant Chief of Volunteer Fire and Rescue Services, bringing 47 years of experience in career and volunteer fire and rescue services. He retired from Montgomery County Fire Rescue Service after 35 years, reaching the rank of Battalion Chief. Prior to joining Frederick County Government, Mr. Darwick served as the Training Center Manager for Carroll County Volunteer Emergency Services Association. During his career in fire and rescue, he held several management roles, including serving on the National Capital Region Incident Management Team and Maryland Task Force 1 Urban Search and Rescue Team. He is nationally certified as an Emergency Service Instructor III and is a University of Maryland Fire Rescue Institute instructor. He earned a Bachelor of Science degree in Fire Science from Columbia Southern University and an Occupational Certificate in emergency management from Frederick Community College.

County Creates Equity and Inclusion Office

Frederick County Executive Jan Gardner unveiled legislation to help identify and address issues of inequity within Frederick County Government. The bill establishes by law an Office of Equity and Inclusion, including the position of Chief Equity and Inclusion Officer. It also creates an Equity and Inclusion Commission to serve as an advisory commission to the County Executive, County Council and the Office of Equity and Inclusion. The creation of both the office and the commission was recommended by the Equity and Inclusion Leadership Team, which issued its final report last month.

"My vision for Frederick County Government is fairness and opportunity for all, so everyone can share in our community’s prosperity and fully participate in civic life," Executive Gardner said. "County government can lead the way by providing equitable programs, policies, resources and services, and by embracing diversity and inclusion in all we do. We are better together."

Frederick County Council Member Kai Hagen worked collaboratively with Executive Gardner and Chief Equity and Inclusion Officer Michael Hughes on the legislation. He has agreed to sponsor the bill when it is introduced to the County Council.

Under the leadership of the Chief Equity and Inclusion Officer, the Office of Equity and Inclusion will develop and manage a strategic framework to ensure equitable opportunities are available within all levels of County government and for all County residents. They will ensure equity informs planning, policy development, recruitment and hiring, and decision-making.

The Equity and Inclusion Commission, comprised of 13 members, will advise the County Executive, County Council and the Chief Equity and Inclusion Officer. Members will represent a wide range of ethnicities, professional backgrounds, and socioeconomic status. Each member must be a resident of Frederick County and a registered voter. They will help to plan community outreach, initiatives, and events that affirm, celebrate, and advance diversity, equity and inclusion throughout Frederick County. They will also provide input on the strategic plan developed by the Office of Equity and Inclusion.

A copy of the proposed legislation can be found online at www.FrederickCountyMD.gov/Equity.

Former Alcoa Eastalco Site Purchased

Quantum Loophole, Inc. announced today the purchase of the 2,100-acre former Alcoa Eastalco Works site near Buckeystown. In a joint venture with TPG Real Estate Partners, Quantum Loophole plans to develop a first-of-its-kind, environmentally friendly data center campus, as Maryland continues to attract more data center companies.

Plans for the site include efficient design for sustainable power and water use, investments in robust fiber connectivity, a nature-first design aesthetic to protect views and reduce visibility from public roadways, and thoughtful preservation of existing structures important to local history, which aligns with Frederick County’s award-winning Livable Frederick Master Plan.

"This is big news for Frederick County! I am pleased that the former Eastalco property will once again serve as an employment center with high-paying jobs," Frederick County Executive Jan Gardner said. "Quantum Loophole has committed to develop an environmentally sensitive data center project that respects and values the surrounding community and our Livable Frederick Master Plan. Data centers provide a stable source of tax revenue and jobs, while having minimal impact on local services such as schools, traffic and other infrastructure. I look forward to Quantum Loophole sharing their plans with the surrounding community."

"The Quantum Loophole team has made it possible to bring this first-of-its-kind master planned data center development to Frederick, Maryland," said Josh Snowhorn, founder and CEO of Quantum Loophole. "The Eastalco property is ready and ideal for a data center project. We are changing the way hyperscale data center developments are deployed, and this Maryland location has historically reliable power and proximity to Northern Virginia that the Internet industry needs for success."

"It is outstanding news that this site, on which aluminum was manufactured for more than 35 years, will get new life as the home of a state-of-the-art data center development," said Governor Larry Hogan. "As Maryland welcomes more and more data centers to the state, this project is critical in ensuring these companies have the kind of advanced infrastructure needed to be successful as well as secure."

"When Alcoa closed the Eastalco site, we made a commitment to bring this property back into productive and sustainable use," said Mark Stiffler, Alcoa's Vice President for Asset Management. "The sale to Quantum Loophole and TREP is a story of economic and environmental sustainability, taking a former industrial site through the remediation process and bringing it forward for a new industrial use."

The purchase of the Frederick County, Maryland property from Alcoa Eastalco illustrates Quantum Loophole’s commitment to develop master planned data center communities in a way that enables the most advanced computing technology, benefits local communities, and respects the importance of nature.

To learn more about Quantum Loophole’s plans for re-imagining the way data centers are developed in concert with natural resources, visit: www.quantumloophole.com.