Friends,

As October ushers in crisp air and cooler weather, it reminds of us of the beauty in change in nature and within our community. Whether it is the leaves turning or the progress we’re making together, October is a time to appreciate how far we’ve come and plan for the future.

In Frederick County, we have been focusing on initiatives that will impact us all, from transportation to infrastructure to housing. I’m excited to share updates on opportunities for civic engagement and ways you can help contribute to the continued growth and vitality of our community. Let’s make the most of this season of change by staying informed, getting involved, and continuing to support one other. 

I invite you to stay connected with my Administration for the latest updates on what we are doing to keep Frederick vibrant. Thank you for your continued support and engagement! Together, we can keep making a positive impact in our County.

Sincerely,

Jessica Fitzwater

Frederick County Executive

Critical Digital Infrastructure

Earlier this year, the Frederick County Data Centers Workgroup released recommendations intended to guide public policy so that data center expansion occurs responsibly and in a manner that is in the best interests of Frederick County residents

As a direct result of the recommendations provided by this workgroup, I recently unveiled two pieces of draft legislation that would put restrictions on where data centers can be built.

The first piece of legislation updates Frederick County’s existing Critical Digital Infrastructure zoning law to consider visual impacts, noise, and sustainability practices. The second bill creates a floating zone for Critical Digital Infrastructure that could only be applied to land zoned as general industrial or limited industrial and is within a community growth area, among other restrictions.

Click here to read more.

Legislative Town Hall - October 7 at 6 pm

Transmission Line Meeting - October 9 at 6 pm 

Many residents have rightfully expressed concerns about the proposed Piedmont Reliability Project, a transmission line that will cross Baltimore, Carroll, and Frederick Counties.  I share many of the same concerns, which is why the County Council and I called on the Public Service Enterprise Group (PSEG), the company managing this project, to conduct a more inclusive and transparent process that is responsive to input from residents.

It is incredibility important for us to understand this project and its potential impact on our neighborhoods, agricultural land, and historic landmarks. Right now, we have more questions than answers.

I am glad to report that PSEG heard our requests, and I am convening a public meeting with PSEG officials on Wednesday, October 9 at 6 p.m. at Oakdale High School. I encourage everyone to attend to learn more and share feedback. Together, we will continue working to ensure our communities are protected and our concerns are heard. 

Consolidated Transportation Program (CTP) Meeting – October 16 at 7 pm 

It has long been a priority for Frederick County to improve safety on U.S. 15. The stretch from Interstate 70 to MD Route 26 needs critical safety upgrades to eliminate dangerous conditions and provide sound and safety barriers. I am committed to advocating for the funding needed for this project and to address other safety and traffic concerns in our community.

Unfortunately, the recently released Maryland Department of Transportation (MDOT) draft Consolidated Transportation Program (CTP) for Fiscal Years 2025-20230 effectively halts the U.S. 15 safety project by not including $14.3 million for its construction.

This project is vital to the safety and well-being of our community. I encourage residents to join me in sharing feedback with MDOT officials regarding the draft CTP during a public meeting on Wednesday, October 16, at 7 p.m. The meeting will be held in Winchester Hall 12 E. Church Street in Frederick.

Rural Broadband Meetings 

As part of Frederick County’s ongoing efforts to bridge the digital divide, we will be hosting four meetings throughout the County to share information with residents about various grant opportunities for expanding broadband access in rural areas. The first meeting was held in Emmitsburg on September 18.

The schedule for the remaining meetings is as follows. Each meeting will begin at 7:00 PM.

• October 3: Libertytown – Liberty Volunteer Fire, 12027 South St., Libertytown, MD 21762
• October 10: Adamstown – Carroll Manor, 2795 Adams St., Adamstown, MD 21710
• October 16: Myersville – Myersville Volunteer Fire, 301 Main St., Myersville, MD 21773

Representatives from Shenandoah Telecommunications Company (Shentel) will attend each meeting to provide additional information on service availability, costs, timelines, and construction. 

I encourage interested residents to attend to learn how the grants can bring high-speed internet to rural homes that are currently underserved due to their distance from existing service lines.  For those that cannot attend in person, a recording will be made available for viewing on FCG TV, channels 1072 and 19, and online at www.FrederickCountyMD.gov/FCGTV.

Affordable Housing Updates & Initiatives 

Housing Needs Assessment and Strategic Plan: Frederick County recently selected Thomas P. Miller and Associates (TPMA) as partner in developing a Frederick County Housing Needs Assessment and Housing Strategic Plan.

The Strategic Plan will set the direction for how the County will refine and shape its housing policy, as well as identify resources to address the needs identified in the Needs Assessment. This initiative aligns with the community-based Transition Team’s recommendation to update the 2016 Affordable Housing Needs Assessment and to develop of a housing strategic plan.

The City of Frederick has been a valued partner with Frederick County in this process, contributing to the cost of the project, and will be provided with disaggregated housing needs data for the city. It is anticipated that TPMA will begin the project this October and provide a final report to Frederick County by Fall 2025. Opportunities for community input and engagement are expected to begin later this year.

Click here to read about other affordable housing initiatives.

Labor Market Dashboard

Frederick County remains committed to supporting our community’s workforce development needs. That’s why I am excited to share that Frederick County Workforce Services (FCWS) recently launched its new Labor Market Dashboard, a cutting-edge tool designed to provide real-time data and insights on the local job market.

This user-friendly platform offers workforce professionals, job seekers, employers, and policymakers instant access to critical labor market information, empowering them to make informed decisions and drive economic growth in Frederick County.

The Labor Market Dashboard is a significant step forward in FCWS’s commitment to supporting the community's workforce development needs. By offering this powerful tool, FCWS aims to strengthen the local economy, attract new businesses to the area, and ensure that Frederick County remains a competitive and desirable place to work and live.

Whether you are a job seeker, employer, or workforce professional, I encourage you to check out the Labor Market Dashboard by visiting www.frederickworks.com.  

Economic Development News

Theradaptive Expansion: Theradaptive, a leader in protein-engineering technology, celebrated the grand opening of its new facility with a ribbon-cutting ceremony on September 19, 2024. The company, originally a graduate of the Frederick Innovative Technology Center Inc. (FITCI), will more than quadruple its operational space from 6,000 square feet to approximately 28,000 square feet, marking a major milestone in its growth trajectory.

We are proud to have Theradaptive in Frederick County. Their expansion is a testament to the thriving biotech community we are cultivating. I am excited to see the continued growth and innovation that Theradaptive will bring to our county.

Read more economic development news here.

New Director of Frederick County Division of Solid Waste & Recycling

I was proud to recently appoint Mr. Lee Zimmerman as Director of the Division of Solid Waste and Recycling. The division manages the County’s Reichs Ford Road transfer station and landfill, as well as countywide recycling efforts. Mr. Zimmerman served as Deputy Director from June 2022 until June of 2024, when he took on the role of Acting Director upon the retirement of Phil Harris.

In today’s world, we need to shift our approach to waste management by focusing on reducing waste, improving recycling and composting initiatives, and using landfills to generate renewable energy. Mr. Zimmerman’s extensive experience and proven leadership will help us implement these changes effectively and drive us toward more sustainable waste management practices.

Transit Services of Frederick County Receives TAM Awards

The Transportation Association of Maryland (TAM) recognized Transit Services of Frederick County with two major awards at their 2024 Annual Conference – Outstanding Transit System Achievement Award and Outstanding Transit Employee Award.

Transit Services was recognized for the organization’s efforts to significantly expand and improve service. Major achievements include expanding rural transit and adding Saturday service, implementing more effective administrative techniques, improving communications and marketing, and collaborating with riders, staff, and community partners to enhance the rider experience.

Creek ReLeaf – Reforesting Frederick County

The Frederick County Division of Energy and Environment (DEE) has opened its annual application period for participation in the Creek ReLeaf reforestation program. Property owners interested in having native trees planted on their land for no cost may apply between October 1 and December 31, 2024.

The Creek ReLeaf program installs new plantings on public and private lands and provides maintenance to ensure their success. This program aims to reverse the trend of local tree loss and increase the total amount of forested acreage in Frederick County. Since 2017, Creek ReLeaf has helped protect our watershed through reforestation of more than 575 acres.

Learn more about Creek ReLeaf here. 

Frederick County Job Fair

Frederick County Government’s workforce is thriving! We’re seeking dedicated individuals to join our team. Stop by our Career Resource & Job Fair to meeting with hiring departments and access career resources.

The job fair will take place Thursday, October 10 from 11 AM – 3 PM at the Prospect Center, 585 Himes Ave., Frederick, MD 21703. For attendees taking public transportation, ride Transit Services of Frederick County’s 10 Connect for free to Himes Avenue at Oak Street or Himes Avenue at Coralberry Court. Learn more and register at https://bit.ly/FCGJobFair. 

Our teams look forward to meeting you! 

In the Community

Hispanic Heritage Month: Between September 15 and October 15, we celebrate Hispanic Heritage Month. This month-long celebration honors the rich history, vibrant cultures, and countless contributions of the Hispanic and Latino community. I’ve been thrilled to join many of you during Hispanic Heritage celebrations around Frederick County. 

 Read about other events from the past month.

See what events are coming up.

County Perspective

Rocking in the park. Preparing for emergencies. Giving Transit a fresh new look. County employees are on the move.  Check out these stories, along with news about a plan to increase affordable housing and opportunities for the public to get involved, in this episode of County Perspective!