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ARC funds requested for Garrett projects

Keysers Ridge wastewater treatment plant, Last Mile broadband on list

Elaine Blaisdell

Cumberland Times-News

— OAKLAND — The Garrett County commissioners submitted to the Appalachian Regional Commission a $900,000 funding request for a wastewater treatment plant at Keysers Ridge Business Park and a $250,000 funding request for the Last Mile Wireless Network Broadband Phase 3 project.

The preliminary list of projects was presented during the commission meeting Tuesday.

A plant is needed at the business park to serve both residents and businesses for the future development of the park. Currently, residents are using septic systems and businesses are receiving wastewater service from Bruceton Farm Service, a private entity that no longer wants to provide those services, according to the preliminary project description.

The Maryland Department of the Environment has issued a complaint and consent order tothe Bruceton Farm Service wastewater treatment plant, which is located on National Pike in Grants­

ville.MDE has determined there was failure to comply with permit discharge limits for contaminants, including ammonia-nitrogen, from 2007 to 2013 to an unnamed tributary of Puzzley Run. Bruceton must pay $40,000 in penalty fees to MDE and will pay additional significant penalty fees for any additional violations of its renewal permit.

Since Bruceton’s service is antiquated, the commissioners are proposing a new $1.8 million wastewater treatment plant to terminate discharges from the Bruceton plant. The $900,000 ARC funding request will be met with a $900,000 state/local match. Matching funds for water infrastructure are being secured from the Maryland Department of Business and Economic Development and a discharge permit has already been obtained from MDE.

The new plant will service 50,000 gallons per day to meet the needs of the business park and 23 residential customers.

“There has been recent significant investment into the Keysers Ridge Business Park, accentuating the need for this project,” states the preliminary project description.

In April 2013, the Maryland Economic Development Corp. transferred more than 180 acres of land valued at $2.5 million to the commissioners to develop the park. In September 2013, the Maryland Department of Housing and Community Development entered into an agreement with the commissioners, providing $625,000 in Community Development Block Grant funding to partially finance the construction of a 12,000square-foot building in the park.

More here.

ARC Awards $250K Grant To Meadow Mountain Trail Proj.

Jun. 7, 2012

The Appalachian Regional Commission (ARC) has awarded a $250,000 grant to Garrett County for construction of the Meadow Mountain Trail (MMT), U.S. Senators Ben Cardin and Barbara Mikulski announced last Thursday. The 10-mile, multi-user trail will build on the county’s efforts to expand its outdoor recreation industry, and is projected to have an economic impact of more than $3 million.

“Garrett County’s scenic treasures are also economic treasures, drawing thousands of tourists to Maryland each year to enjoy our state’s natural beauty,” said Cardin, trails/”greenways” advocate and member of the Senate Environment and Public Works Committee. “The Meadow Mountain Trail will further tourism and small business growth in Garrett County, creating new jobs and new economic opportunities for western Maryland.”


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ARC funds will be used by Garrett Trails, a nonprofit organization, to complete the MMT trail design, construct the trail, and improve two trailhead parking areas. The MMT is a key segment of the larger Eastern Continental Divide Loop Trail, which will be a 150-mile recreational trail winding through the heart of Garrett County.

The MMT segment will begin near Grantsville and the Casselman River Bridge and end near Route 495 at the University of Maryland’s 4-H center.

The trail will traverse through public lands and will be accessible to outdoor enthusiasts for hiking, biking, backpacking, trail running, cross-country skiing, snowshoeing and educational study. Job creation and financial impact stem from hikers and bikers stopping for meals and purchasing gear at the many small businesses located near the trail, and staying the night in a nearby trail town.

“This grant is about supporting jobs in western Maryland,” Mikulski said. “It is a smart investment that will help grow Garrett County’s economy, making an investment that will draw in new visitors, jobs, and economic development to the region.”

More here.

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Commissioners Approve Economic Development's ARC Grant Requests

Jun. 7, 2012

The Garrett County commissioners on Tuesday approved the Department of Economic Development’s request list for Appalachian Regional Commission funding in Fiscal Year 2013. The list will be forwarded to the Tri-County Council of Western Maryland for its review and approval, before being submitted to federal legislators.

Garrett County has received as much as $500,000 in ARC funding in past years. Grants for area development projects require a 50 percent match from state, local, and/or private sources. Local access road project grants require a 20 percent contribution from the various sources.


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Economic Development director Jim Hinebaugh noted that ARC funding may be limited in FY ’13; therefore, he and his staff have listed the proposed projects according to priority.

Topping the county’s request list of development projects is the “Asset Based Infrastructure Improvements at Adventure Sports Center International.” Economic Development is requesting $250,000 from ARC, as well as $350,000 in state/private contributions.

The funds would be used to support the Deep Creek 2014 Canoe Slalom World Championships at ASCI. Telecommunications upgrades, amphitheater seating, stairs, and a pavilion would be constructed. Hinebaugh noted that the International Canoe Federation suggested that the improvements be made for the championships.

Second on the list is the “Last Mile Wireless Network” project. The county is requesting $250,000 from ARC and plans to contribute another $250,000 toward the initiative.

The county would design, install, and operate a wireless network to deliver broadband Internet service to as many as 5,000 residences not currently served by any provider. The system would use the newly released “TV White Space” frequency spectrum that can travel up to 10 miles and penetrate through buildings, trees, etc. This concept was evaluated in the recently completed Garrett County Broadband Feasibility Study.

Third on the list is the Penn Alps to Meadow Mountain Trail project. The county is requesting $100,000 from ARC to construct the route. The total cost of this project is $542,345, with $386,345 coming from National Recreation Trails, $50,000 from Garrett County, and $6,000 from Garrett Trails.

The nine-mile long project would begin near Grantsville and connect to the Meadow Mountain Trail. Senators Ben Cardin and Barbara Mikulski just announced that ARC has awarded $250,000 for completion of the 10-mile long Meadow Mountain Trail, which the county requested funding for last year.

Last, but not least, on the development funding list is the proposed Accident Wastewater Treatment Plant. Hinebaugh indicated the project is number four because of funding issues involving other agencies.

Garrett County is seeking $250,000 in ARC funds for the $3.456 million project.

For local access road projects, the county is seeking $252,000 for the “Cherry Glade Phase II Revision” project. An estimated $1.045 million is needed to complete the road, which goes through the county’s old roads garage property in Oakland, connecting Rt. 219 and Fourth Street.

The Cherry Glade project experienced a major cost increase recently because of bridge and stream mitigation, which is required for permitting, Hinebaugh said. For example, the stream design became more expensive than anticipated as nearly $57,000 worth of plants are required along the stream bank.

Once the road is completed, Hinebaugh noted, the county will have three additional one-acre lots available to sell to business owners.

Two lots have already been sold and are occupied by Dairy Queen Grill & Chill and Clear Mountain Bank. These sales netted the county more than $600,000, Hinebaugh noted.

He said the county will need to contribute $63,000 to Phase II of the road project, but the three lot sales will bring much needed additional revenue to the county.

Number two on the road access list is a request for $400,000 in ARC funds for infrastructure improvements at ASCI. Two pedestrian/cart bridges over the whitewater course and an access road would be constructed. Parking lot upgrades would also be made. Hinebaugh noted that the International Canoe Federation suggested these improvements as well.

Hinebaugh stressed the projects list is subject to change, based on the availability of ARC funding and requests from other western Maryland counties.

More here.

Buying or selling real estate in Garrett County or Deep Creek Lake, Maryland? Call Jay Ferguson of Railey Realty for all of your real estate needs! I take great pride in referrals, and I assure you, I will take great care of your friends, family & colleagues!

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 —

ARC fronts grant for 10-mile trail project in Garrett County

From Staff Reports Cumberland Times-News

— GRANTSVILLE — A new trail outside of Grantsville will become a reality using a $250,000 Appalachian Regional Commission grant, according to U.S. Sens. Ben Cardin and Barbara Mikulski.

The 10-mile Meadow Mountain Trail will build on Garrett County’s efforts to expand its outdoor recreation industry, and is projected to have an economic impact of more than $3 million, the senators said.

ARC funds will be used to complete the trail design, construct the trail and improve two trailhead parking areas. The MMT is a key segment of the larger Eastern Continental Divide Loop Trail, which will be a 150-mile recreational trail winding through the heart of Garrett County.

The MMT segment will begin near Grantsville and the Casselman River Bridge and end near state Route 495 at the University of Maryland’s 4-H Center.

The trail will traverse through public lands and will be accessible to outdoor enthusiasts for hiking, biking, backpacking, trail running, cross country skiing, snowshoeing and educational study.

Job creation and financial impact stems from hikers and bikers stopping for meals and purchasing gear at the many small businesses located near the trail, and staying the night in a nearby trail town.

“Garrett County’s scenic treasures are also economic treasures, drawing thousands of tourists to Maryland each year to enjoy our state’s natural beauty,” said Cardin, a member of the Senate Environment and Public Works Committee. “The Meadow Mountain Trail will further tourism and small business growth in Garrett County, creating new jobs and new economic opportunities for Western Maryland.”

“This grant is about supporting jobs in Western Maryland,” Mikulski said. “It is a smart investment that will help grow Garrett County’s economy, making an investment that will draw in new visitors, jobs and economic development to the region.”

State sources will provide $316,000, and local sources will provide $48,550, bringing the total project funding to $614,550, the announcement said.

The ARC is a federal-state partnership that works with the people of the Appalachian region to create opportunities for self-sustaining economic development and improved quality of life.

More here.

Buying or selling real estate in Garrett County or Deep Creek Lake, Maryland? Call Jay Ferguson of Railey Realty for all of your real estate needs! I take great pride in referrals, and I assure you, I will take great care of your friends, family & colleagues!

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Grant fuels efforts for county-wide Internet

$50,000 awarded to fund feasibility study
From Staff Reports
Cumberland Times-News The Cumberland Times-News Fri Sep 09, 2011, 11:21 PM EDT

CUMBERLAND — A $50,000 federal grant is fueling local and state efforts to make high-speed Internet available across Allegany County — an improvement that is expected to attract new jobs and businesses to the area.

The Appalachian Regional Commission awarded the grant this week to the Allegany County Board of Education, which is part of a multi-agency partnership that is striving to improve Internet access across Western Maryland.

Maryland received more than $115 million last fall through the American Reinvestment & Recovery Act to extend broadband access across the state, particularly in rural areas. The project is called One Maryland Broadband Network (OMBN).

“It’s really a cooperative partnership,” said Nil Grove, chief technology officer for the school system, which has already received funds through OMBN to extend broadband to 14 of its 22 school buildings. Construction is expected to start this spring.

The $50,000 ARC grant will help fund a feasibility study for how to connect the eight remaining school buildings, as well as libraries, public safety, and other government agencies across the region, Grove said.

Garrett County received a similar $50,000 ARC grant in May and is in the midst of conducting a feasibility study.

“We’re hopeful and anxious because of what we think it can do for our schools,” Grove said. “It’s a wonderful opportunity.”

Eventually, the intention is to make affordable, high-speed Internet available to residents throughout the state.

“This federal funding will help grow Western Maryland’s economy, making an investment that will draw in new visitors, improve education, and attract new high-tech businesses, jobs, and economic development to the region,” Sen. Barbara Mikulski said in a press release announcing ARC grants to Allegany and Washington counties.

The Washington County Free Library received $61,000 to purchase new computers and replace obsolete equipment, and the town of Williamsport received $20,000 to develop bike lanes to attract tourists

Said U.S. Sen. Ben Cardin: “Technology is the key to jobs, innovation and growth in the 21st century, and this funding will give residents of Washington and Allegany County the tools they need to succeed.”

More here.

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>Local Business Park Awarded $107,000 Grant

>

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Jun. 23, 2011

The Appalachian Regional Commission (ARC) has awarded a $107,000 grant to the Garrett County Board of Commissioners to make electrical upgrades at the McHenry Business Park.

The grant will be used to extend power lines to the park, which is owned and operated by the county. The county hopes the electrical upgrade will attract high-power users, such as technology-based and small component businesses to the park.

“The funding for McHenry Business Park will strengthen Garrett County’s economy by bringing high-tech businesses and jobs to the community,” said Sen. Ben Cardin, who, along with Sen. Barbara Mikuski, announced the ARC grant award last Friday.

More here.

If you or someone you know is considering buying or selling real estate in Garrett County or Deep Creek Lake, Maryland, call Jay Ferguson of Railey Realty for all of your real estate needs! I take great pride in referrals, and I assure you, I will take great care of your friends, family & colleagues! As member of the Garrett County Board of Realtors, I can assist you with ANY listed property, regardless of the listing broker.

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>Broadband Study Grant Awarded To Garrett County

>

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The Appalachian Regional Commission yesterday announced the approval of a grant award to the Board of Garrett County Commissioners to fund a broadband feasibility study for the county. The grant provides $50,000, to be matched by county funds, to complete a detailed engineering, design, and business feasibility study to expand broadband Internet service throughout the county.
“This study, when completed in approximately 12 months, will be the road map that the county and Internet service providers will use to reach the goal of 90 percent broadband service availability by 2014,” the commissioners noted in a press release.

The study will also determine the most productive methods to leverage the federal American Recovery and Reinvestment Act broadband grant that was awarded to Maryland in September 2010. The ARRA grant will deploy approximately 50 miles of fiber backbone in Garrett County, connecting anchor institutions such as schools, Garrett College, libraries, government, and health care and public safety agencies.

The backbone will be “open access,” allowing qualified Internet service providers to offer higher speed/more affordable services to a greater number of homes and businesses throughout the county, according to the commissioners.

The recently completed Garrett County Economic Development Strategic Plan sets the 90 percent broadband availability goal as a major infrastructure milestone. According to the commissioners, expanded broadband availability is key to continued economic growth, educational attainment (student homework assignments, home schooling, distance learning), and community support services (remote health care, online citizen service, public safety/emergency services).

Read the full article here.

If you or someone you know is considering buying or selling real estate in Garrett County or Deep Creek Lake, Maryland, call Jay Ferguson of Railey Realty for all of your real estate needs! I take great pride in referrals, and I assure you, I will take great care of your friends, family & colleagues! As member of the Garrett County Board of Realtors, I can assist you with ANY listed property, regardless of the listing broker.

877-563-5350 Questions about ANY listed property? I can help! Call me!
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>Cardin, Mikulski Announce $50,000 to Expand Broadband Internet Access in Garrett County

>(Targeted News Service Via Acquire Media NewsEdge) WASHINGTON, May 5 — The office of Sen. Benjamin Cardin, D-Md., has issued the following news release: U.S. Senators Ben Cardin and Barbara A. Mikulski (both D-MD) today announced that the Appalachian Regional Commission (ARC) has awarded a $50,000 grant to the Garrett County Board of Commissioners’ broadband feasibility study. Currently, only 65 percent of households in the county have access to broadband Internet. The lack of broadband Internet access in Garrett County impacts the community in education, economic development, and community support services like public safety and emergency services.

Read the full article here

If you or someone you know is considering buying or selling real estate in Garrett County or Deep Creek Lake, Maryland, call Jay Ferguson of Railey Realty for all of your real estate needs! I take great pride in referrals, and I assure you, I will take great care of your friends, family & colleagues! As member of the Garrett County Board of Realtors, I can assist you with ANY listed property, regardless of the listing broker.

877-563-5350 Questions about ANY listed property? I can help! Call me!
Visit the ‘I Love Deep Creek & Garrett County group’ on Facebook! News, events, photos, real estate, community, info, more! 1,750+ members & growing!

Garrett, Allegany Colleges Awarded ARC Grant Funds

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Oct. 7, 2010

The Appalachian Regional Commission (ARC) has awarded Garrett College and Allegany College of Maryland competitive federal grant funds to upgrade on-campus facilities, providing better opportunities to students and making them more prepared to enter the workforce, according to U.S. Senators Barbara Mikulski and Benjamin Cardin.

Garrett College was awarded $75,000 to make equipment purchases and train faculty in its Networking Program, enhancing the curriculum to offer multiple, industry-recognized certifications and training in the advanced technical skills necessary to manage computer networks using Cisco, a leading computer networking software.

“To help make sure all Americans are ready for the jobs of the 21st century, we must have state-of-the-art education resources today,” Mikulski said. “Community colleges are providing the 21st century education we need to have a 21st century workforce. Technology is the tool and empowerment is the objective, and this money is a federal investment to do just that.”

Allegany College was awarded $54,000 for the Workforce Development Through Smart Classroom Technology Program, designed to improve and upgrade worker training programs at the college by turning ordinary classrooms into “smart” classrooms that include computers, projector screens, and interactive audience tools. Allegany College expects to use the new facility to train more than 200 workers in healthcare and general office/business skills within the next year.

A second grant in the amount of $30,000 was awarded to Allegany College to upgrade six computer labs used for science and continuing education, providing an additional 700 students with the most current technology.

“Education is the key to economic success and our local colleges are on the frontlines providing the training and skills that are needed to succeed,” said Cardin. “Residents of western Maryland need access to the high-level technology that is needed for the workforce, and these grants will ensure that our local colleges can provide the training that is needed for jobs of the future.”

If you are thinking of buying or selling real estate in Garrett County or Deep Creek Lake, Maryland, call Jay Ferguson of Railey Realty for all of your real estate needs! 877-563-5350

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ARC Awards Grant To Study Tourism At Deep Creek Lake

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Sep. 23, 2010

The Appalachian Regional Commission (ARC) has awarded a $20,000 grant to Garrett County to conduct a study of tourism at Deep Creek Lake, allowing local residents, businesses, and government to better plan for future development in the area, according to U.S. Senators Barbara A. Mikulski and Benjamin L. Cardin. In addition to ARC funds, local sources will provide $20,000.

“This federal funding will help Garrett County boost its tourism and its economy,” Mikulski said. “This funding is a federal investment in jobs today and jobs tomorrow in western Maryland. I’m so proud that Garrett County will be able to use these funds to continue to develop and grow.”

The ARC funds will be used to study lake visitors by demographic and season, analyze second home/rental property revenues, and define spending by category and season at lake-area businesses. It is anticipated that the information will provide a better understanding of the lake’s economic importance and provide a framework for future allocations to protect and preserve this environmental asset.

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If you are thinking of buying or selling real estate in Garrett County or Deep Creek Lake, Maryland, call Jay Ferguson of Railey Realty for all of your real estate needs! 877-563-5350

Deep Creek Do It All specializes in cleaning services in Garrett County & @ Deep Creek Lake. Give them a call (301-501-0217) or visit the website – competitive rates and quality results from a locally owned & operated company!