HAGERSTOWN, Md. — The Washington County Board of County Commissioners approved more than $226,000 in community grants Tuesday, advanced plans for a replacement air traffic control tower at Hagerstown Regional Airport, and authorized a request for state reimbursement tied to road damage caused by the ongoing U.S. 40 bridge closure.
Commissioners also approved several emergency services purchases and received updates on county programs and upcoming Independence Day celebrations.
Community grants approved for Hagerstown area programs
Commissioners approved $226,300 in Community Reinvestment and Repair Fund grants for organizations serving residents in central and downtown Hagerstown.
The state-funded program directs a portion of cannabis tax revenue to communities disproportionately affected by enforcement of cannabis prohibition before legalization.
Maria Kramer, director of the Office of Grant Management, and Allison Hartshorn, opioid restitution manager, presented recommendations to the commissioners from the 13 applications requesting more than $543,000. Staff recommended funding 12 of the projects.
Recipients included Horizon Goodwill Industries, which received $44,700 for its Launch Point youth economic mobility program, CASA Inc., which received $43,775 for housing and healthy relationships education, and Girls Inc. of Washington County, which received $22,762 for leadership and innovation programming.
Additional awards went to the Boys & Girls Club of Washington County, Maryland Symphony Orchestra, Salvation Army, Robert W. Johnson Community Center, APPLES for Children and several other organizations serving youth and families.
Airport tower project moves forward
Commissioners authorized county staff members to apply for and accept $1.5 million in state funding to complete design work for a replacement air traffic control tower at Hagerstown Regional Airport. The funding would pay for planning, engineering and architectural work needed before construction of the new tower can begin.
Andrew Eshleman, director of public works; Neil Doran, airport director; and Maria Kramer, director of the Office of Grant Management, presented the request. County officials said the project is currently about 30 percent designed and the additional funding would allow the project to advance to final design.
“This will get us to 100 percent related engineering, planning, architectural tasks,” Eshleman said.
Kramer added that any remaining grant funds could later be used for construction administration, inspection services or equipment associated with the future tower project.
The Federal Aviation Administration is expected to fund most of the project costs, with the county responsible for a smaller local match.
County seeks reimbursement for U.S. 40 bridge detour impacts
Commissioners authorized a letter to the Maryland Department of Transportation seeking reimbursement for road maintenance and repair costs associated with the closure of the U.S. 40 bridge over Conococheague Creek.
County officials said traffic studies show many motorists have bypassed the state’s official detour route and instead used county roads during the bridge rehabilitation project.
“What we’ve found … there’s about a 15 to 20 percent margin where the motorists that we think were using U.S. 40 are now on county roads rather than the posted state detour and this activity has accelerated deterioration,” Director of Public Works Eshleman said.
The bridge closure began in June 2025 as part of a rehabilitation project on the historic 1935 structure.
Officials said the bridge is expected to reopen before the start of the school year in late August, although some project work will continue into 2027.
The county is seeking $276,600 in reimbursement in roadway repair and maintenance costs, they said.
Commissioners praised county highway crews for preparing alternate routes, responding to weather events and managing traffic impacts throughout the project, and said the reimbursement is warranted.
“I think we do deserve some reimbursement for the way we handled this detour,” one commissioner said.
Approval of emergency services purchases
Commissioners approved the purchase of a Pierce Enforcer walk-in rescue fire truck for the Division of Emergency Services at a cost of approximately $1.45 million.
The board also approved the purchase of two new ambulances and two LifePak35 monitor-defibrillators that will be installed in those vehicles.
County officials said maintaining compatibility with existing emergency medical equipment was a major factor in selecting the LifePak systems.
Independence Day celebration planned
County Administrator Michelle Gordon reminded residents about Washington County’s Independence Day celebration scheduled for July 4 at the Washington County Agricultural Education Center.
Events begin at noon and will include live music, food vendors, children’s activities, a drone show and fireworks after dark.
“We will have numerous bands throughout the day,” Gordon said. “We will have a kid zone, lots of food vendors.”
Gordon said complimentary transit service will run between downtown Hagerstown and the Ag Center to help residents attend the event.
She also encouraged residents to review county heat-safety information as extreme temperatures are forecast during the holiday week.
