May 16, 2017

During National Infrastructure Week, Cardin, Van Hollen Deliver $200,000 for New Eastern Shore Sewage Lines

U.S. Senators Chris Van Hollen and Ben Cardin (both D-Md.) have announced $200,000 in federal funding for new Eastern Shore sewage lines and expansions. The funding comes from the U.S. Department of Commerce's Economic Development Administration (EDA), a program both Senators Cardin and Van Hollen have fought to continue after it was targeted for elimination in the President's recent budget outline. The new federal funds for Maryland will be used to replace and upgrade the existing well and septic services for Shore Transit's Tricounty Council Multipurpose Center in Salisbury, which services Wicomico, Somerset and Worcester Counties. The EDA estimates the project will create 40 new, local jobs for the Lower Eastern Shore. The announcement comes during National Infrastructure Week, a bipartisan effort to encourage investments in America's infrastructure, including water projects like this.

"Improving our infrastructure is a huge priority for Maryland, and for the Eastern Shore in particular,"said Senator Van Hollen, member of the Senate Appropriations Committee."This grant will pave the way for more economic development in Salisbury, while also preventing pollution from reaching the Chesapeake Bay. I will fight to protect the Economic Development Administration so communities like Salisbury don't lose this valuable source of support for local projects."

"Clean, safe water is essential for every Marylander, every day. EDA's continued investment in the Eastern Shore is good for our economy, public health and the environment," said Senator Cardin, a senior member of the Senate Environment and Public Works Committee. "The new and improved water infrastructure will allow more public services for more Marylanders - all while creating dozens of new, well-paying local jobs. The new public water lines will also help ensure that sewage and runoff stay out of the Chesapeake Bay, adding critical environmental value to this project as well. Investments like these are exactly why I'm proud to support the Economic Development Administration and will keep fighting to keep it funded in the next budget."