The Garrett County Republican
WASHINGTON — A federal spending measure currently under consideration contains $975,000 for a Garrett County trail project.
U.S. Sen. Chris Van Hollen, D-Md., a member of the Senate Appropriations Committee, announced the inclusion of over $7 million in direct federal funding for local projects across Western Maryland within the committee’s proposed annual funding legislation.
The bill would provide Garrett County with the funds to help complete the Meadow Mountain Trail, which is the portion of the Eastern Continental Divide Loop plan that runs from Deep Creek Lake State Park to Grantsville. The project is expected to provide safe paths through public land and increase tourism to Garrett County.
The Western Maryland projects encompass a wide array of local and regional priorities, ranging from infrastructure improvements to economic development.
Overall, Van Hollen included over $62 million in federal money directly for Maryland within the Committee’s proposed legislation.
This legislation, released by the committee as part of the annual Congressional Appropriations process, will proceed to consideration before the full Senate.
“Securing federal investments for key local projects that support our communities is one of my top priorities,” Van Hollen said. “These initiatives will impact the everyday lives of countless Marylanders by modernizing our infrastructure, supporting small businesses, and improving public safety and crisis responses. I was proud to fight for these investments to support Western Maryland, and I will keep working to get this funding over the finish line in Congress.”
Regional funding announced by Van Hollen includes:
— More than $5.8 million in funding for infrastructure & economic development projects, including for the Maryland Tech Council’s support of Maryland’s Technology and Life Sciences Small Businesses, Frederick East Street Rails with Trails: Liberty Road Bridge Crossing, Garrett Trails’ Meadow Mountain Trail, the replacement of Boonsboro’s Drinking Water Reservoir, and Point of Rocks Significant/High Hazard Dam Decommissioning and Stream Restoration.
— $125,000 in funding for public safety for the Frederick police to implement a mobile crisis team.
— More than $1 million in funding to support community development, historical and cultural initiatives, including the purchase of 44 acres to expand the C&O Canal National Historical Park and the purchase of 17 acres to expand Monocacy National Battlefield.
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Jay Ferguson
Who I Am
My name is Jay Ferguson, and I am a lifelong resident of the Deep Creek Lake area. I am also co-owner of the real estate side of Taylor Made. I have been in the real estate business for 21+ years now and I LOVE what I do! I have to say, my career really took off when I co-founded the real estate side of Taylor Made in 2014. Its been an amazing experience, building a real estate company from the ground up and achieving so much so quickly! In August 2016, we purchased Long & Foster Real Estate Deep Creek, where I had started my career in 2000. In 2018, we on-boarded virtually every agent from Coldwell Banker Deep Creek Realty as they closed up shop and the real estate family grew even more! We now have over 40 sales agents and have expanded to West Virginia and Pennsylvania, as well. Taylor Made is the #1 vacation rental company at Deep Creek with over 475 vacation rental homes, and over one hundred thousand yearly visitors. Its amazing what we have accomplished using the principles of honesty, teamwork and customer service!
Personally, my wife Jessica and I enjoy traveling and especially spending time in the outdoors, hiking and exploring the many diverse areas that Garrett County is naturally blessed with. We have raised two wonderful children here, Kayleah (22) and Noah (13). In the summer, we love spending time on the water with friends & family and enjoying the lake life! We are both active in our church, our community & local school activities, and we fill our schedule with plenty of volunteer efforts. I currently serve on the board of directors for Habitat for Humanity. I am proud to say that I was named Deep Creek Time’s Favorite ‘Community Champion’ in 2019. I was also named Garrett County Realtor of the Year in 2018-19, as well.
I really enjoy promoting my hometown. I am very proud of the resort area that has developed over my lifetime and look forward to growing the area even more! Deep Creek Lake has been described as ‘The Lake Tahoe of the east', and I think that speaks volumes about the potential to own property here! Deep Creek Lake isn't really a town or city by itself; it's comprised of three towns: Oakland, Swanton & McHenry, Maryland. I am very passionate about my hometown and am impressed with how many people know about it as we travel around the country. Deep Creek Lake is an amazing place to visit and even better place to live! During the pandemic in 2020, our market exploded and more and more people left their primary residence in the city to live here permanently. With distance learning in schools and tele-commuting becoming the ‘norm’, many more people were drawn to the area to ‘live where they love to play’.
Why You Want Me Working for You: In addition to being an owner, I am consistently one of the top-producing agents in the entire area and the Associate Broker of record for Taylor-Made Deep Creek Vacations & Sales. I have 21+ years of experience and I am a problem solver. There aren’t many situations that I have not encountered and I have a strategy for almost every scenario that you may encounter. I
have extensively trained in all areas of real estate & emerging technologies, and also have trained as an appraiser, as well as served as a full-time Broker. I have a strong knowledge of the industry, as well as many trusted local contacts & affiliations that allow me to perform at a very high level and deliver results. I have a great deal of respect for my peers in this industry and have strong working relationships that I would love to put to work for you.
Call me to discuss your situation - I know I can be of great service to you & others you care about!
Honesty. Integrity. Results.
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