WASHINGTON — A federal spending measure currently under consideration contains $975,000 for a Garrett County trail project.
U.S. Sen. Chris Van Hollen, D-Md., a member of the Senate Appropriations Committee, announced the inclusion of over $7 million in direct federal funding for local projects across Western Maryland within the committee’s proposed annual funding legislation.
The bill would provide Garrett County with the funds to help complete the Meadow Mountain Trail, which is the portion of the Eastern Continental Divide Loop plan that runs from Deep Creek Lake State Park to Grantsville. The project is expected to provide safe paths through public land and increase tourism to Garrett County.
The Western Maryland projects encompass a wide array of local and regional priorities, ranging from infrastructure improvements to economic development.
Overall, Van Hollen included over $62 million in federal money directly for Maryland within the Committee’s proposed legislation.
This legislation, released by the committee as part of the annual Congressional Appropriations process, will proceed to consideration before the full Senate.
“Securing federal investments for key local projects that support our communities is one of my top priorities,” Van Hollen said. “These initiatives will impact the everyday lives of countless Marylanders by modernizing our infrastructure, supporting small businesses, and improving public safety and crisis responses. I was proud to fight for these investments to support Western Maryland, and I will keep working to get this funding over the finish line in Congress.”
Regional funding announced by Van Hollen includes:
— More than $5.8 million in funding for infrastructure & economic development projects, including for the Maryland Tech Council’s support of Maryland’s Technology and Life Sciences Small Businesses, Frederick East Street Rails with Trails: Liberty Road Bridge Crossing, Garrett Trails’ Meadow Mountain Trail, the replacement of Boonsboro’s Drinking Water Reservoir, and Point of Rocks Significant/High Hazard Dam Decommissioning and Stream Restoration.
— $125,000 in funding for public safety for the Frederick police to implement a mobile crisis team.
— More than $1 million in funding to support community development, historical and cultural initiatives, including the purchase of 44 acres to expand the C&O Canal National Historical Park and the purchase of 17 acres to expand Monocacy National Battlefield.
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