Van Hollen, Cardin Announce $154,574 in ARC Grants, Local Funding for Western Maryland

U.S. Senators Chris Van Hollen and Ben Cardin (both D-Md.) announced $154,574 in Appalachian Regional Commission (ARC) grants and local funding to boost economic development in Western Maryland.

ARC will provide $57,287 in funding to Hagerstown Community College's Electronics Laboratory to purchase new equipment, which will be equally matched by the College. The $114,574 investment in new devices will be used by 142 students each year who are studying applied sciences and engineering technology.

The Western Maryland Resource Conservation and Development Council will receive $20,000 in ARC grants, $19,160 in state funding, and $840 in local funding to expand the Frostburg Grows project. The job training project utilizes reclaimed mine land for a greenhouse and shade house complex that has been designed to train community members for high-quality jobs in the local foods industry while also producing local foods, tree seedlings, and compost. The investment will be used to purchase a training space and necessary equipment, and it will serve over 50 participants every year.

"Job number one is bringing good paying jobs to Maryland -- and making sure people have the training they need to launch successful careers," said Senator Van Hollen. "Investments in programs like the Hagerstown Community College Electronics Laboratory and Frostburg Grows will help strengthen our economy and give Marylanders the tools they need to be competitive in the workforce."

"Once again, ARC is making a federal investment in local programs that are integral to strengthening our local job market," said Senator Cardin. "Marylanders want to know they'll be able to find quality jobs in the area and these ARC funds will help Western Marylanders achieve exactly that by bolstering programs at Hagerstown Community College and Frostburg Grows. Both are lynchpins in our community for training and collaboration."