(4/2025) Rural Historic Preservation Grants Awarded

Historic farmhouses, a former female seminary, and agricultural outbuildings are among the rural properties that will be preserved with support from the Frederick County Rural Historic Preservation Grant Program. In its fifth year, the initiative is one of only a few historic preservation programs that focuses on significant structures in rural areas.

"Protecting the places that make Frederick County unique is an important part of the Livable Frederick Master Plan," County Executive Jessica Fitzwater said. "Preserving these structures is more than safeguarding old buildings – it’s protecting the stories, landscapes, and traditions that define our shared heritage. These sites connect us to our rich history and inspire future generations to appreciate the character and resilience of rural communities."

The Rural Historic Preservation Grant Program offers one-time grants of up to $50,000 to individual property owners and nonprofit organizations to stabilize, rehabilitate, restore or preserve the exterior of a historic property. To qualify, properties must be located in an unincorporated area of the county, listed on the County Register of Historic Places, be designated as a contributing resource in a local historic district, or be determined eligible for County Register designation.

Grant awardees for 2025 within this papers distribution area include:

Judge William Stoner House – Apples Church Road, Thurmont. $46,590 to repair the brick chimneys and replace the roof over the house. The property is a good example of a vernacular mid-19th century farmhouse with Greek Revival elements. The property is listed on the County Register.

Liberty Female Seminary – Main Street, Libertytown. $36,237 to repoint the north elevation. The property was originally constructed as a place to educate and board young women and may be the earliest female seminary in Frederick County. The property is listed on the County Register.

Oliver P. Harding Farm – Green Valley Road, New Market. $22,173 to restore the historic wood windows on the house. The property is the newest addition to the Peace and Plenty Rural Historic District. The property is listed on the County Register.

Funding for the Frederick County Rural Historic Preservation Grants comes from the collection of recordation fees charged on certain real estate transactions. For additional information about the grant program, visit www.FrederickCountyMD.gov/RuralGrants. Questions about the program can be directed to Amanda Whitmore, Historic Preservation Planner, at AWhitmore@FrederickCountyMD.gov

Capital Budget Highlights Unveiled

Several school construction projects will move forward in the coming year, Frederick County Executive Jessica Fitzwater announced today, even as the County tightens its operating budget. She unveiled highlights of her six-year Capital Improvement Program, as well as preliminary information about her FY-26 Operating Budget which begins July 1.

"Our biggest challenge and my top priority is building new schools to accommodate growing enrollment and renovating existing facilities. Through this year’s capital budget, we will make an historic investment in school construction projects to meet these needs," Executive Fitzwater said. "We are making budget decisions against the backdrop of chaos in Washington and a growing deficit in Annapolis. We will meet this uncertainty with a fiscally responsible spending plan that protects the core services our residents expect from Frederick County Government."

Federal Assistance Available to Nurseries, Small Businesses, and Private Nonprofits Affected by Drought

Nurseries, small businesses, private nonprofit organizations in Frederick County that have been impacted by the drought that began July 23, 2024 are encouraged to apply for low-interest federal disaster loans from the U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA) by April 7.

The SBA's Economic Injury Disaster Loan program offers financial assistance to eligible entities experiencing economic hardship due to the drought. This program is available to small businesses, small agricultural cooperatives, nurseries, and private nonprofit organizations with financial losses directly related to the drought. Disaster loans are not available to agricultural producers, farmers, or ranchers, except for small aquaculture enterprises.

Economic Injury Disaster Loans provide working capital for businesses impacted by disasters, even if there has been no physical damage. The funds from this program may be used to pay fixed debts, payroll, accounts payable, and other unpaid bills due to impacts of the drought.

The application for the program asks for the same information about the business and its principal owners that are generally required for a bank loan. If you need assistance, SBA staff will explain the forms and help at no charge. Applications for disaster loans may be submitted online using the MySBA Loan Portal at www.lending.sba.gov.

For more information on loan terms, eligibility, and the application process, please visit the SBA’s website at www.sba.gov/disaster. Applicants may also call SBA’s Customer Service Center at (800) 659-2955 or email disastercustomerservice@sba.gov for more information.

Frederick County Launches New Child Care Study to Address Need for Additional Child Care in the County

Frederick County, through the Divisions of Family Services and Parks and Recreation, in partnership with Public Consulting Group (PCG), has begun a comprehensive new Child Care Study to fully assess the accessibility, affordability, and quality of child care in the County for families with children aged birth to 12. This study builds upon the findings of the 2024 Child Care Market Study which focused on families with young children. The new study will gather additional information on families with children from birth through age 12 and identify viable solutions for expanding child care services to better support underserved communities.

In addition, the study will assess the possibility of County-sponsored child care services and explore new approaches to addressing child care gaps. Specific focus areas include:

• Analyzing geographic disparities in child care availability, particularly in underserved areas.
• Assessing the financial and operational feasibility of establishing new child care centers.
• Determining the most strategic locations for creating child care services.
• Engaging stakeholders, including parents, providers, and community organizations to ensure a wide range of perspectives inform policy recommendations.

"Frederick County families continue to struggle with limited child care options, high costs, and a shortage of available slots," said Kelli Goetz, Director of the Frederick County Division of Family Services. Joe Hayden, Deputy Director for the County’s Division of Parks and Recreation added, "This feasibility study will provide data-driven solutions to expand child care access and support our local workforce."

The study will be conducted through a series of surveys, focus groups, and interviews. Community members will have an opportunity to provide input around the initial findings through a series of community engagement sessions. Findings will be compiled into a final report, which will include actionable recommendations for the County’s consideration.

Public participation is critical to the study’s success and will help shape the future of the children in our community. It’s important that Frederick County residents with children aged birth to 12 years old complete the survey and participate in focus groups. Information on the survey, focus groups, and upcoming engagement opportunities will be available on the County’s website at www.FrederickCountyMD.gov/ChildCare and social media channels.

Division of Aging and Independence Enhances Caregiver Support

The Frederick County Division of Aging and Independence is excited to announce a new partnership with Trualta, an online education and support platform designed to assist caregivers in managing the care of their family members.

Trualta offers a comprehensive range of on-demand learning modules covering essential topics such as personal care techniques, managing dementia symptoms, home safety and fall prevention, and tips for reducing caregiver stress. The platform also features live webinars and interactive support groups led by experts, providing caregivers with valuable insights and guidance.

In addition to educational resources, Trualta fosters a supportive online community where caregivers can connect with other caregivers, share experiences, and find support. The site includes printable guides and checklists for day-to-day care needs, making it a practical tool for caregivers of individuals of all ages, including parents, grandparents, children, and other care recipients with various needs such as disabilities, chronic illnesses, or other health conditions.

Trualta's personalized learning paths allow caregivers to choose topics most relevant to their caregiving journey. The platform is user-friendly, with tutorials and live support to help caregivers get started. Accessible from any internet-connected device, including laptops, tablets, and mobile phones, Trualta's resources are available at any time and are consistently updated to provide the latest insights and best practices.

This valuable resource is 100% free to Frederick County residents or caregivers caring for someone who lives in Frederick County. For more information, visit dai.trualta.com, or contact the Frederick County Division of Aging and Independence at 301-600-1234 or via email.