Press Release

March 12, 2018
Cardin, Van Hollen Announce $2 Million for Washington County Infrastructure

WASHINGTON – U.S. Senators Ben Cardin and Chris Van Hollen (both D-Md.) have announced a $2,000,000 in additional grant funding from the Appalachian Regional Commission (ARC) to the Washington County Board of Commissioners. The grant will fund the second phase of the Halfway Boulevard Extension expansions designed to alleviate traffic congestion between I-70 and I-81. The project received a $1,800,000 grant in June 2017, bringing the total federal investment to $3,800,000. Construction of the expanded roadway is also part of an ongoing effort to improve access to a new business park set to create an estimated 394 new jobs.

“This latest federal investment in Washington County’s infrastructure will improve some of the area’s most heavily used roads, allowing local commerce to grow, all while supporting the creation of hundreds of local, good-paying jobs. That’s a win for residents on all fronts,” said Senator Cardin, Ranking Member of the Senate Environment and Public Works Transportation and Infrastructure Subcommittee. “These funds are a great example of how federal resources can be used to help local communities flourish. I’m proud of the work ARC is doing and proud to continue advocating for their full and complete funding.”

“Investing in our infrastructure is crucial to the success of Western Maryland and local economies. This funding will promote business and job growth in the region and support the transportation needs of the surrounding communities,” said Senator Van Hollen, a member of the Budget and Appropriations Committees. “I will continue to support federal investments in our infrastructure to generate more economic opportunity in Western Maryland.”

The Appalachian Regional Commission (ARC) is a regional economic development agency that represents a partnership of federal, state and local government. Its mission is to invest in projects that expand rural communities’ access to the services and economic development assistance they need to thrive. Senators Cardin and Van Hollen advocated for and secured significant funding for the program for FY 2018 in the Senate Energy and Water Appropriations bill, despite ARC being eliminated in the President’s budget. They are actively working to ensure that ARC’s funding remains in the FY18 Omnibus.

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