Maryland Secures $25 Million for Community Projects

November 26, 2025

Maryland's two Democratic senators, Chris Van Hollen and Angela Alsobrooks, successfully secured over $25 million in federal appropriations for diverse community projects throughout the state as part of the fiscal year 2026 agriculture and related agencies spending bill. The funding will support critical infrastructure improvements, emergency services equipment, mental health programs, educational facilities, and agricultural research across Maryland's counties and institutions. A significant portion includes $6 million for the Beltsville Agricultural Research Center, which the Trump administration had targeted for closure but employs roughly 1,000 people as the nation's largest USDA research campus.

Who is affected

Beltsville Agricultural Research Center (BARC) employees (approximately 1,000 workers)
Maryland farmers and agricultural communities
Residents of Worcester, Carroll, Kent, Allegany, and Charles counties
Communities of Berlin, Cambridge, Crisfield, Barclay, Eagle Harbor, Millington, and Emmitsburg
University of Maryland Eastern Shore, McDaniel College, and Mount St. Mary's University students
Garrett Regional Medical Center cancer patients
Low-income seniors (700,000+ nationwide) receiving food assistance
WIC-eligible families
Veterans, first responders, dementia patients, and at-risk youth
Young people at risk of homelessness served by San Mar Children's Home
Historically Black 1890 Land-Grant institutions

What action is being taken

The Agriculture, Rural Development, Food and Drug Administration, and Related Agencies appropriations bill for fiscal year 2026 is directing funding to various projects, including:
$6 million in upgrades to aging buildings at BARC ($3 million in direct federal funding from the senators' request)
$1.4 million for Berlin's Flower Street School site conversion
$1 million for Carroll County Youth Service Bureau expansion
$6.2 million for relocating Kent County's Millington Wastewater Treatment Plant
$2.5 million toward University of Maryland Shore Regional Health's new Regional Medical Center in Easton
$850 million for Conservation Operations providing technical assistance to farmers

Why it matters

This funding addresses critical infrastructure deficiencies, workforce shortages in healthcare and veterinary medicine, and emergency preparedness gaps across Maryland communities. The investments in BARC are particularly significant as they support the nation's largest agricultural research facility while countering federal closure plans that would eliminate 1,000 jobs and undermine agricultural research supporting American farmers. The appropriations also strengthen food security programs serving vulnerable populations, including low-income seniors and families, while supporting rural healthcare access for cancer patients who currently face long-distance travel for treatment. These investments represent federal recognition of local priorities and help Maryland communities maintain essential services despite aging infrastructure and resource constraints.

What's next

No explicit next steps stated in the article

Read full article from source: The Washington Informer