May 22, 2024

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

May 22, 2024

Congressman David Trone Announces Over $54 Million in Community Project Funding Requests for Maryland

WASHINGTON, D.C. — Today, Congressman David Trone (D-MD) announced he requested $54,134,879 in federal Community Project Funding for projects across Maryland. If passed into law through the next government funding package, these investments will create new jobs, deliver much-needed resources, prioritize public safety, and restore neglected infrastructure in Maryland communities.

For Fiscal Year (FY) 2025, Members of the U.S. House of Representatives were allowed to request 15 projects. Congressman Trone’s projects represent an over 20% increase from FY 2024 funding. Every year since these projects were re-incorporated into the annual funding packages, all of the Congressman’s requested projects were ultimately included and signed into law.

“I know how vital it is to work with folks on the ground to get the best results. Over the past year, I’ve been working closely with state and community officials to identify projects that will have the greatest impact on our communities and support those most in need,” said Congressman Trone. “In Congress, my priority is to provide our constituents with the tools they need to succeed. These community-driven investments will accomplish just that, fostering growth and revitalizing Maryland.”

The following projects were submitted and approved by the House Committee on Appropriations to be included in the FY 2025 federal funding package.

Allegany County

• $679,990 for the Potomac Fire Company No. 2 Engine Replacement 
• $2,808,220 for the Frostburg State University Planetarium 

“We are grateful to Congressman Trone for choosing our fire company as a community project request for FY2025. Our current engine is over 30 years old and urgently needs replacing. Volunteerism is declining and costs are increasing, making it challenging for our department to raise funds for a new engine. Our department serves the Town of Westernport and surrounding communities, providing mutual aid coverage to Garrett County, MD, and Mineral County, WV. The closure of Verso Luke Paper Mill has adversely affected our small rural community, impacting our operations and fundraising efforts. We extend our sincere thanks to the Congressman and his office. The much-needed replacement engine will continue to serve, protect, and save lives in Maryland’s 6th Congressional District for years to come,” said Jonathan Dayton, FF/EMT & Public Information Officer.

“The generous support from Congressman Trone for revitalizing the planetarium at Frostburg State University represents a transformative investment in STEM education and community enrichment in western Maryland,” said Dr. Jason Speights, Associate Professor of Physics, Frostburg State University. “This state-of-the-art facility will serve as a beacon of learning and discovery, inspiring students and residents alike to explore the wonders of the universe. The revitalized planetarium will not only enhance educational opportunities for a diversity of learners of all ages but will also contribute to cultural and economic growth.”

Frederick County

• $3,000,000 for the Brunswick Volunteer Ambulance and Rescue New Building Construction
• $1,919,950 for the Justice Jobs of MD Program Expansion
• $4,000,000 for Water and Wastewater Treatment Plant Upgrades for the Town of Brunswick, MD
• $1,041,000 for the FC Frederick Clean Water project
• $5,720,000 for the Middletown Wastewater Enhanced Nutrient Removal Upgrade
• $5,000,000 for Sidewalks for All: Downtown Frederick Streetscape
• $7,500,000 for the Prospect Center Affordable Housing project

“On behalf of the Brunswick Volunteer Ambulance & Rescue Inc., we want to say THANK YOU to Congressman Trone on our request for funding for our new building,” said Nelson Smith, Treasurer of Brunswick Volunteer Ambulance & Rescue. “Our current building is over 60 years old and was rated ‘poor’ in a 2007 audit. With our building being in downtown Brunswick, it will assist in the revitalization of the downtown area. This building will be used, not only by our ambulance company, but also by citizens and the community for special events. Again, THANK YOU Congressman David Trone and your staff.”

“We are grateful for Congressman David Trone’s support for the mission and programmatic expansion of Justice Jobs of Maryland. Our organization is focused on meeting the needs of previously incarcerated individuals and those with substance use disorders,” said April Sandi, Executive Director of Justice Jobs of Maryland. “This project will allow our non-profit organization to expand career counseling, training, workforce development and job placement services as well as to address other barriers faced by citizen’s reentry after incarceration. These are the factors that directly reduce recidivism and the strain on the court and criminal justice system. We sincerely appreciate our Congressman’s passion and commitment to programs such as ours that address often forgotten members of our community.”

“The City of Brunswick is thrilled to learn that our $4,000,000 Community Funding request for our Water and Wastewater Treatment Plant Upgrades is moving forward,” said Nathan Brown, Mayor of Brunswick. “Congressman Trone’s support for this critical project has been key in helping us make the upgrades needed to ensure clean drinking water and environmentally sustainable treatment of wastewater for our community and those served in Frederick and Washington counties. Thanks to all those in Congressman Trone’s Office, the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, and related State and Federal agencies for their partnership in keeping this project viable.”

“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,” said Jessica Fitzwater, Frederick County Executive. “This project is part of my vision of leveraging our County-owned property to address 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.”

“Middletown appreciates the attention Congressman Trone has given to our town and specifically this project. The town faces a projected $40 million project to replace its western treatment plant, which is in a floodplain, and equip its other plant on the east side of town to handle the increased capacity,” says Burgess John Miller. “This funding will greatly improve our ability to meet enhanced nutrient removal (ENR) levels imposed on us by the EPA and MDE, taking us to the next level of wastewater treatment. We could not do this without assistance from our federal partners like Congressman David Trone.”

“We are thrilled to be included in this critical funding initiative. The FC Frederick Clean Water project is essential for improving stormwater management, erosion control, and overall environmental quality at our Bartholows Road field complex, benefitting both our youth sports community and the broader Frederick County area. This support will significantly enhance our efforts to create a healthier, more sustainable environment,” said Bo Eskay, Executive Director, FC Frederick.

“The City of Frederick is thankful for the support and commitment from Congressman Trone and our federal delegation for the Downtown Frederick Streetscape Project. This project will significantly enhance safety, walkability, ADA accessibility, and infrastructure for our residents and businesses, creating a community that works better for everyone.” said Michael O’Connor, Mayor of Frederick.

Garrett County

• $3,940,381 for Grantsville Sidewalk and Crosswalk Safety Project 

“This sidewalk project will significantly enhance safety and provide better access to one of the most bustling parts of our community, an area along the National Road that has spanned the centuries and continues to be at the heart of our historical town,” said Emily Newman-Edwards, Mayor of Grantsville. “The Town of Grantsville is so appreciative of Congressman Trone and his commitment to better the lives of the citizens in the furthest reaches of Western Maryland. Without his commitment to this project, it would not have come to fruition.”

Montgomery County

• $2,100,000 for the Real Time Crime Center
• $5,117,000 for Zero Emission Bus Purchases

“We are thankful to Congressman Trone for including the expansion of the department’s Violent Crime Information Center as a Community Project Funding Request in Fiscal Year 2025,” said Marcus Jones, Montgomery County Chief of Police. “As we work to improve the recruitment and retention of law enforcement officers, it is vital to utilize technology and real-time intelligence to provide better information to officers on the street, which can improve safety for both the public and the officers who serve them.  We are confident that this funding will serve as a catalyst to take our nascent project from its current form into a center that can be a model for law enforcement nationwide.”

“Montgomery County’s ambitious goals to move to a zero-emission bus fleet by 2035 will reduce harmful climate impacts and boost economic vitality and equity,” said Chris Conklin, MCDOT Director. “Public transportation serves as a lifeline for many of our residents, including our marginalized communities, seniors and students. Our buses provide access to essential trips such as jobs, educational facilities and medical care. Several transit projects are progressing, including the Great Seneca Transit Network starting service this year and multiple Flash Bus Rapid Transit corridors proceeding toward construction. With buses aging out of service and necessary service expansions, there is a critical need for these buses.”

Washington County

• $4,308,338 for the San Mar Full Service Transitional Housing project
• $5,000,000 for a Drinking Reservoir Rebuild for the Town of Boonsboro, MD

“On behalf of our board and the staff at San Mar Family & Community Services we share our sincere appreciation for the cross sector and bipartisan support to address the critical needs of transition age youth in western Maryland,” said Keith Fanjoy, CEO of San Mar Family and Community Services. “This infrastructure investment will allow us to support young adults move from surviving to thriving, receiving not only housing but also comprehensive wraparound services to position them for the kinds of outcomes we all want for our children.” 

“For years, Boonsboro’s drinking water reservoir has been failing, leading to an increasingly insecure water supply. This $5 million in federal Community Project Funding will replace our reservoir and ensure the Boonsboro-Keedysville community has a dependable clean water source for decades to come,” said Howard Long, Mayor of Boonsboro. “This is government working as it should, and Marylanders have a strong partner in Congressman Trone to deliver what they need.”

Statewide

• $2,000,000 for the Boys and Girls Club Statewide Crime Prevention Initiative.

“On behalf of Boys & Girls Clubs in communities across Maryland; we are thrilled with this exciting news and look forward to working throughout the entire state in concert with many law enforcement partners, prevention focused and trauma informed partners, reaching Maryland youth and families across 90 communities,” said Jeff Breslin, CEO, Boys & Girls Clubs of Metropolitan Baltimore.

Congressman David Trone was elected to the House of Representatives in November 2018 to serve the 6th District of Maryland, which includes all or part of Montgomery, Frederick, Washington, Allegany, and Garrett Counties. Trone serves on the Appropriations, Budget, and Joint Economic Committees. In Congress, Trone is fighting to make progress on issues that matter to Marylanders.

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