HAGERSTOWN – Hagerstown Community College has been awarded a $197,045 grant from the Rural Maryland Prosperity Investment Fund. The objective of the fund is to help raise the overall standard of living in rural areas to a level that meets or exceeds statewide benchmark averages by 2030, while preserving the best aspects of cultural heritage and rural way of life.
HCC’s grant, “Growing Rural Futures: Advancing Health and Workforce in Western Maryland,” supports the expansion of the dental clinic, including renovation and equipment purchases, as well as equipment for the Medical Laboratory Technician Program. The dental lab expansion renovation is expected to be complete by the spring of 2026.
The Washington County Department of Business and Economic Development, the City of Hagerstown, and the Washington County Chamber of Commerce are working in partnership with HCC on this grant. The grant period is August 1, 2025, through June 30, 2026. Expected outcomes include training 127 students, serving 900 individuals through the community dental clinic and graduating 95 students using grant-funded equipment.
The Rural Maryland Prosperity Investment Fund supports the operating activities of the Rural Maryland Council, including the administration of the Maryland Agricultural Education and Rural Development Assistance Fund and funding for the state’s five rural regional councils. The grant program is designed to make strategic investments in key economic and community development initiatives while fostering regional and intergovernmental collaboration.
