HAGERSTOWN, Md. — Washington County’s Community Coalition is getting ready to visit Annapolis again. This year, they are focusing on transportation projects, public safety and community development as top priorities for the upcoming Maryland General Assembly session.
At the Oct. 6 work session, coalition representatives shared a draft legislative agenda with the Hagerstown mayor and city council. Now in its 22nd year, the coalition brings local partners together to support projects that help Hagerstown and Washington County.
The proposed agenda continues efforts to get funding for Interstate 81 improvements, the Washington County public safety center, Hagerstown Fairgrounds Park and the Williamsport library. The coalition is also looking at new laws to address blighted properties and support craft alcohol production.
Coalition reviews previous Annapolis successes
Before talking about new priorities, coalition representatives looked back at what they achieved in the last legislative session.
Coalition representatives said they secured funding for the airport control tower, improvements to the entrance at Hagerstown Community College and design work for the Williamsport library. The visitor center project also received $250,000.
Hagerstown also successfully sought legislation exempting the Hagerstown Field House from property taxes.
The George C. Edwards Fund received another $9 million. Coalition representatives said that, in the past, about one-third of this funding has come back to Washington County through local economic development projects.
Not every request was approved. Funding was not secured for the Interstate 70 and Maryland 65 interchange, the Washington County public safety center or the Washington County Museum of Fine Arts. Some projects from Smithsburg and Williamsport also did not get funding.
Interstate 81 remains major priority
Interstate 81 will continue to be a main focus for the coalition’s legislative work.
Funding for the second phase of improvements was kept. Construction for Phase 2A is now open for bids, and Phase 2B, which would extend improvements from Interstate 70 to the Valley Mall area, is expected to go out for bids next year.
Coalition representatives said the second phase is expected to be finished around 2031.
The coalition also sought design funding for phases three and four but did not receive it. Representatives said they plan to seek that funding again in the upcoming session.
The coalition will keep raising concerns about the state’s proposed way of scoring transportation projects.
Hagerstown seeks Fairgrounds Park funding
Hagerstown has suggested two new initiatives for the coalition’s agenda.
One initiative is to improve Fairgrounds Park, including adding a turf field. Coalition representatives said that talking with state delegates showed the request might have a better chance in Annapolis if it is presented as a plan for overall park improvements, not just a turf field.
The project would stay the same, but the funding request would focus on improving Fairgrounds Park as a whole.
Help for blighted neighborhoods
The city’s other proposal is about new laws to help revitalize neighborhoods.
During the work session, they discussed a plan for Hagerstown to identify areas with many blighted properties and find ways to speed up the process of taking control of them and putting them back into use and on the tax rolls.
Coalition representatives said Hagerstown is working with other towns on this proposal, which could improve its chances at the state level.
Public safety center request returns
Washington County plans to ask again for state help with its public safety center.
The county is asking for about $2.5 million, which is about half the cost of the project, according to the presentation.
This project would help provide special training for firefighters, including how to handle emergencies in high-bay warehouses.
The county is also expected to ask for construction funding for the airport traffic control tower.
Williamsport wants to develop a long-term plan for the U.S. 11 bridge and secure construction funding for its library. Smithsburg is looking for help to upgrade its water and sewer pumps.
Dual enrollment funding among education concerns
This year, education officials are not proposing a new building project through the coalition. Instead, they want to protect funding that supports dual enrollment.
Coalition representatives said Washington County’s dual enrollment program is one of the best in the state because the local school system and community college work well together.
Students can earn free college credits while still in high school, which can help them finish college faster.
Representatives said local education officials want state leaders to see how successful the program is, especially as Maryland faces budget pressures and possible cuts.
Craft alcohol changes also proposed
Visit Hagerstown is not asking for money for a building project but is seeking changes to Maryland liquor laws that affect craft alcohol producers.
The effort covers three areas that were still being worked out during the meeting. One issue is making it easier for a producer to sell products at another craft alcohol location while keeping the sales benefits they have at their own place.
George C. Edwards Fund
The coalition also plans to ask for another $10 million for the George C. Edwards Fund. Last year, they asked for $10 million and received $9 million. The governor’s budget must approve this funding each year. The money is used to support economic development projects.
Coalition watching state actions affecting local government
Besides specific funding requests, the coalition keeps a watch list of issues that could affect Hagerstown and Washington County.
Representatives warned officials to watch for proposals that might move responsibilities from the state to local governments. They said that if the state gives local governments more power to tax, it could also mean more responsibilities for them.
Highway user revenue is another concern. Cities and counties depend on this money for road maintenance, and coalition representatives said the General Assembly will need to decide whether to extend extra funding.
The coalition also plans to monitor school funding, transportation projects and how Maryland’s family leave law affects governments, nonprofits, and other groups. Local officials might be asked to testify in Annapolis as these issues come up.
