HAGERSTOWN, Md. — Washington County commissioners agreed Tuesday to seek $1.25 million in state funding for continued redevelopment at Fort Ritchie, but not before questioning why the county is applying on behalf of a private developer and what could happen if the developer fails to meet the grant requirements.
Commissioners approved the application on a 3-1-1 vote, with Neil Parrott opposed and board President John Barr abstaining. Barr said he would not participate because part of the proposed work involves an electrical system and electrical contracting is his business.
The county is seeking the money from the Western Maryland Economic Futures Fund, also known as the Senator George C. Edwards Fund, on behalf of Cascade Town Centre Development LLC. The money would be used for roadway and parking improvements, replacement of the roof on the MJ Plaza building and installation of new commercial electrical infrastructure at the former Army post.
The developer, not county taxpayers, would provide the required 20 percent match. Questions arose over why Washington County, rather than the developer, was applying for the money in the first place, and what responsibility the county would assume by serving as the grant recipient.
County Attorney Zachary J. Kieffer told commissioners the arrangement makes the county the intermediary between the state and the developer.
“The county is the pass-through entity for the money,” Kieffer said.
County officials said the county has served in a similar role for other Fort Ritchie grants. Because the county would be the state grant recipient, however, commissioners discussed the possibility that the county could face repayment demands if the developer failed to comply with the grant agreement.
Officials said that risk would be addressed through a subrecipient agreement between the county and developer, which would undergo legal review before the grant moves forward.
Commissioner Randall Wagner questioned whether the arrangement treated the developer consistently with other businesses receiving economic-development assistance. “What’s fair is fair,” Wagner said.
Vice President Jeffrey Cline said the arrangement provides advantages to both the county and the developer. “Both sides benefit,” Cline said.
Parrott ultimately voted against the application, saying he would be more comfortable if the developer applied directly for the state funding rather than having the county serve as the intermediary. Barr abstained, leaving Wagner, Cline and Commissioner Randal Leatherman as the three affirmative votes.
The application was approved contingent on legal review of the agreement.
Fort Ritchie has undergone extensive redevelopment since the former military installation was purchased in 2021. The property now includes housing, restaurants, shops, health care and other businesses, while additional commercial and recreational development is planned. Washington County said last year that the redevelopment has brought substantial private investment to the former Army post.
The county has also previously acted as an intermediary for state redevelopment money at Fort Ritchie. In January, Washington County announced a $300,000 Maryland Community Legacy grant for Cascade Properties LLC to begin converting a former building into a boutique hotel.
This latest $1.25 million application would continue that public-private redevelopment effort, but Tuesday’s discussion put additional attention on the county’s role when state money is awarded for improvements to privately controlled property.
