(3/24/2023) Transit Expands Emmitsburg/Thurmont Shuttle Service

People living in Emmitsburg and Thurmont will soon have more access to Transit’s award-winning service, including round-trip shuttles on Saturdays, thanks to a pilot program that launches Saturday, April 1st. County Executive Jessica Fitzwater announced the expansion joined by the mayors of Emmitsburg and Thurmont.

"We asked communities in the northern and southern areas of Frederick County how we could better serve them," Executive Fitzwater said, "and people told us they needed more options to get to medical appointments, shop, and even get to work. By expanding access to Transit, we are expanding opportunities for people who live in our smaller, more rural communities."

"Expanding connectivity has been a work in progress for some time," noted Emmitsburg Mayor Don Briggs. "Mass public transit is the sustainable way and helps our seniors and students."

Thurmont Mayor John Kinnaird added, "The residents of Thurmont appreciate the increase in transit services. Our seniors will greatly benefit from this expansion."

Frederick is one of the fastest growing counties in Maryland, and Transit Services’ ridership continues to grow. In fiscal year 2022, riders took more than 550,000 trips on Transit’s fixed route and paratransit services, an increase of over 130,000 trips from the year before. Transit is focused on improving the customer experience, regardless of where a rider boards, and is identifying improvements to bus stops and transfer facilities throughout Frederick County.

"This pilot service expansion is a direct result of listening to transit riders and community members," said Roman Steichen, Director. "It is critical to meet people where they are, and we commit to working together across the board to ensure that riders have the opportunity to access every opportunity here in Frederick County."

The pilot program includes the following features:

• Emmitsburg/Thurmont riders asked for a late morning option that provides access to medical appointments along Thomas Johnson Drive, so a late morning trip will be available on Tuesdays and Thursdays.
• Emmitsburg/Thurmont riders will have two round trips between Frederick and those communities every Saturday, supporting Mount St. Mary’s University students, as well as community members throughout northern Frederick County.
• Riders of the Emmitsburg/Thurmont shuttles will have improved bus stops, including accessibility upgrades, places to sit, and updated signage.

Transit Services of Frederick County provides public transit, paratransit, and commuter services and employer outreach information throughout beautiful Frederick County, Maryland. To learn more about Transit Services, visit FrederickCountyMD.gov/Transit,

School Construction, Bikeways and Trails, Public Safety Featured in Preliminary Capital Budget

Frederick County Executive Jessica Fitzwater provided an overview of her proposed budget for the upcoming fiscal year today, highlighting major construction projects for schools and trails, and upgrades to public safety infrastructure. She outlined steady growth in revenues, and the fastest growing student enrollment in Maryland. Requests for new funding total more than $108 million for Fiscal Year 2024, which begins July 1. A full list of budget appeals can be viewed at www.FrederickCountyMD.gov/Budget.

"Our budget should reflect our community priorities," Executive Fitzwater said. "Before finalizing my proposed budget, it’s important to hear from as many members of the public as possible, so we can shape Frederick County’s future together."

To gather community feedback on budget priorities, Executive Fitzwater held a public hearing in December and listening sessions in all five Council districts during January. The public has two more opportunities to weigh in on their funding priorities before Executive Fitzwater submits her proposed FY24 budget.

Transition Team Issues Report to Guide Fitzwater Administration

The Transition Team appointed by Frederick County Executive Jessica Fitzwater issued its final report, making 64 specific recommendations to guide the actions of Frederick County Government over the next four years. More than 130 community members served on the Transition Team. They served on one of eight committees, a group of senior advisors and seven working committees: Economy and Jobs; Education and Workforce Development; Government Innovation; Housing and Quality of Life; Public Health and Human Services; Public Safety; and Sustainability, Infrastructure and Transportation. The core values of inclusion, accountability, and sustainability guided the team’s work.

"The Transition Report lives up to its charge of being community-led and government-informed," County Executive Fitzwater said. "I am grateful for the dedication of the Transition Team members and County staff who engaged with the process. This report is the beginning of the process, not the end. We will use this document to hold ourselves accountable as we continue the important work of serving our community."

The 23-page Transition Report summarizes work completed by the committees over 12 weeks. Broad themes emerged throughout the report:

• Build on a strong foundation.
• Be intentional about diversity, equity, inclusion and belonging.
• Engage stakeholders, and identify and eliminate barriers to participation.
• Use data to inform decisions, drive outcomes, and measure progress.
• Understand the impact of decisions.
• Break down siloes within Frederick County Government and within the community.
• Innovate and fail forward.
• In people because they are a valuable resource.

The 2023 Frederick County Government Transition Report can be found online at FrederickCountyMD.gov/Transition.

STEM Internship Program Launches to Support Local Employers

Frederick County Executive Jessica Fitzwater announced the launch of a program to showcase Frederick County’s growing Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics industry and help STEM businesses attract talented employees. The Discover Frederick STEM Internship Program is a 10-week program designed to broaden the pool of candidates, while exposing interns to experiences unique to Frederick County. The program is a collaboration between the Frederick County Office of Economic Development and Frederick County Workforce Services, in partnership with Visit Frederick, and Hood College.

"We know that employers are in need of talent," Executive Fitzwater said. "This creative and innovative solution will develop interns’ professional skills and showcase all the reasons Frederick County is a great place to live, work and thrive."

The Discover Frederick STEM Internship Program will recruit up to 30 students from targeted colleges and universities across Maryland, Virginia, Pennsylvania, West Virginia, and the District of Columbia. For $400 per student, participating businesses can enroll their intern in a special program that includes professional development workshops and exploration events around Frederick County, such as tours, hikes, and networking opportunities. An expanded program offers workshops, events, as well as housing and meals on the campus of Hood College for up to 15 students, at a cost to businesses of $3,300 per intern.

The 10-week program runs from June 3, to August 12. The deadline for businesses to apply is April 28. Businesses interested in the housing program should apply by March 31. For more information, visit www.FrederickCountyMD.gov/STEMinterns, or call Workforce Development Strategist Mariel Fedde at 301-600-2754 or MFedde@FrederickCountyMD.gov.

Lara Fritts Appointed to Lead Office of Economic Development

Frederick County Executive Jessica Fitzwater announces the appointment of Mrs. Lara Fritts as Director of Economic Development. Mrs. Fritts is a certified economic developer with over 25 years of experience in economic development, management, and technology at both the local and regional levels. As Director of Salt Lake City’s Department of Economic Development, she helped to bring more than 30 new companies to the city in three years. She has held positions in Wisconsin, Maryland, Washington, DC, Virginia and Utah. Known as a community and economic development expert, Mrs. Fritts has experience in economic recovery, affordable housing, strategic planning, tax credits and incentives, and organizational development. She is a sought-after speaker and consultant on real estate, community revitalization, and economic development finance.

"I am excited Lara will be leading our economic development team," County Executive Fitzwater said. "She brings a wealth of experience, having worked with small and large jurisdictions, public/private partnerships, arts councils, and so much more. I am confident with Lara in this role, Frederick County’s diverse and growing economy will continue to flourish and thrive."

Mrs. Fritts has resigned from Annapolis-based Community Redevelopment Inc., where she served as CEO, to take on her new role. Beginning April 3, she will oversee the Frederick County Office of Economic Development, which includes Workforce Services. FCOED serves as the primary contact for businesses to start, locate and expand. The office’s primary goal is to sustain, diversify and grow Frederick County’s economy by providing leadership and resources for businesses in site selection, workforce recruitment and training, incentives, marketing, and more.

A recipient of Consultant Connect’s Top 50 Economic Developers, Mrs. Fritts was named a Fellow Member of the International Economic Development Council in 2020, which honors economic development professionals for attaining unusual stature in their field and closely-related disciplines. She earned a master’s degree in Urban Studies from the University of Wisconsin – Milwaukee, and her bachelor’s degree in Regional Analysis from the University of Wisconsin - Green Bay.

Mrs. Fritts will take the reins from Jodie Bollinger, who has served as Acting Director of Economic Development following Helen Propheter’s retirement in 2022. "I want to thank Jodie for the tremendous job she has done overseeing Frederick County’s economic development staff. I am truly grateful we will continue to benefit from her knowledge and experience," Executive Fitzwater said.