The U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development has designated Frederick County as a Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) Urban County. The designation entitles the County to receive annual funds to build a stronger, more resilient community. Grant funds can be used for a wide range of needs, such as community centers, housing repairs, and services.

"The CDBG program will help us improve community infrastructure and expand affordable housing options in Frederick County," County Executive Jessica Fitzwater said. "I’m proud and excited that so many of our municipalities are partnering with us, extending our impact across the county."

It is estimated that Frederick County will receive $720,000 in CDBG funds each year for the next three years, as well as $210,000 a year in HOME Investment Partnerships Program funds. The exact amount will be determined in the federal budget approved by Congress.

To reach the population size required to be an entitlement community, Frederick County needed many of the towns and cities within its borders to join in its application. A portion of Frederick County’s CDBG funds will be distributed to the eight jurisdictions that signed on. They include the City of Brunswick; the Towns of Emmitsburg, Middletown, Thurmont, Woodsboro and Walkersville; and the Villages of Burkittsville and Rosemont. The City of Frederick has been designated as an entitlement city for many years and already receives a direct annual CDBG grant from the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development.

The County must submit an action plan by May 2025 describing how it intends to use its CDBG funds for FY 2025. The plan will be completed in partnership with the eight participating municipalities.

Energy Grants to County Exceed $3 Million

Maryland Energy Administration Director Paul Pinsky joined Frederick County Executive Jessica Fitzwater this afternoon to announce a total of $3.4 million in grants from the State agency to the County. Funds will be used for a range of projects, including the purchase of one of the first electric fire trucks on the East Coast. Other initiatives include installing energy-efficient lights, saving residents money on their home electric bills, and building a resilience center at the County-owned Prospect Center.

"My administration is proud to not only help our residents find avenues toward a more sustainable home and lifestyle, but also set an example by engaging in long-term clean energy projects at the County level," County Executive Fitzwater said. "The Moore-Miller Administration and MEA are fantastic partners. I appreciate Director Pinsky’s steadfast support of Frederick County’s energy conservation efforts."

The purchase of an electric fire engine is supported by a $262,432 Medium Duty & Heavy Duty ZEV MEA grant. Electric fire trucks reduce emissions, fuel use, and noise pollution. They can be fully recharged in 90 minutes. "This initiative affirms our commitment to environmental sustainability and, more crucially, the health and safety of our first responders," said Frederick County Fire Chief Tom Coe, Director of the Division of Fire and Rescue Services.

MEA also awarded two grants totaling over $1.8 million to Frederick County for the Power Saver Retrofits Program, which helps residents make energy-efficient upgrades to their homes. Other MEA grants funded the installation of LED lights at the Thurmont Regional Library and in Pinecliff, Fountain Rock, Libertytown, and Middletown Parks and electric vehicles and chargers ($234,835 combined); and $1 million to support the construction of a resiliency hub at the Prospect Center.

County Announces Green Infrastructure Plan to Drive Sustainability and Resilience

Frederick County is proud to announce the beginning of the planning process for its Green Infrastructure Plan, a bold new initiative aimed at addressing critical issues related to the natural and built environment, community resilience, and environmental stewardship. This forward-thinking plan reflects the County’s commitment to sustainability, which is a cornerstone of both County Executive Jessica Fitzwater’s administration and the community-led Transition Team’s 2023 recommendations. Residents, businesses, and stakeholders are encouraged to participate in the plan’s development through upcoming public forums.

"Frederick County is taking concrete steps to ensure a healthier, more resilient environment while promoting community well-being," County Executive Fitzwater said. "I look forward to working with the public to develop and implement the Green Infrastructure Plan. Sustainability is not only about protecting the environment – it’s about creating a livable, vibrant future where everyone can thrive."

Goals of the Green Infrastructure Plan include establishing a strategic network of "hubs" and "corridors" that reduce habitat fragmentation, provide options for wildlife migration, sustain and regenerate working lands, mitigate the effects of climate change, and increase access to green space and outdoor recreation opportunities. The plan will consider factors that affect environmental, agricultural, and recreational resources in the County.

The Livable Frederick Planning and Design Office is leading the planning effort. The first phase of the process will involve a series of meetings with the Green Infrastructure Advisory Group.

Opportunities for members of the public to participate and provide comment will be available through open houses, Planning Commission workshops as the plan is developed, Planning Commission public hearings as a draft document is considered, and as the Recommended Plan moves forward for County Council review.

For more information, visit FrederickCountyMD.gov/GreenInfrastructurePlan.

Frederick County Selects Partner in Housing Needs Assessment and Strategic Plan

Frederick County has selected Thomas P. Miller and Associates (TPMA) as partner in developing a Frederick County Housing Needs Assessment and Housing Strategic Plan. The Strategic Plan will set the direction for how the County will refine and shape its housing policy, as well as identify resources to address the needs identified in the Needs Assessment. This initiative aligns with County Executive Jessica Fitzwater’s community-based Transition Team’s recommendation to update the 2016 Affordable Housing Needs Assessment and develop a strategic plan for housing.

"As the fastest growing county in Maryland, Frederick County has experienced increased pressure on housing affordability in both the rental and homeownership markets. An updated Housing Needs Assessment is critical to identify the current housing needs in our County, as well as the projected needs over the next 10 years," said County Executive Fitzwater. "On behalf of our entire community, I want to extend my thanks to the City of Frederick and the Affordable Housing Council for their partnership and shared commitment to addressing housing challenges."

TPMA was selected through a Request for Proposals process, based on the firm’s vast experience with housing studies, as well as its commitment to engaging local communities in the projects their staff have completed across the country. TPMA also brings experience in the State of Maryland, having conducted economic and workforce development projects in neighboring counties.

"As we continue to tackle the challenge of affordable housing in Frederick County, it’s imperative that we understand the needs of our residents, both in terms of data and by hearing directly from them about their concerns," said Vincent Rogers, Director of the Frederick County Division of Housing. "TPMA is expert in data analysis and community engagement, and their regional and national expertise will ensure that our Strategic Plan takes into consideration best practices from across the country as well as the local environment in Frederick County."

The City of Frederick has been a valued partner with Frederick County in this process, contributing to the cost of the project, and will be provided with disaggregated housing needs data for the city. It is anticipated that TPMA will begin the project this October and provide a final report to Frederick County by Fall 2025. Opportunities for community input and engagement are expected to begin later this year.

For more information on the work done by the Division of Housing, visit FrederickCountyMD.gov/Housing.