Frederick ARPA Funds to Support Seniors, Transportation, Broadband, Food Security

County Executive Jan Gardner announced several key initiatives that draw on a portion of Frederick County’s $50.4 million American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA) allocation.

The initiatives — identified and developed through extensive public outreach and input — will expand broadband, help seniors stay in their homes, and improve access to food and transportation.

“These projects will help to make life better for people in our community,” Executive Gardner said. “We are seizing this opportunity so we can provide generational investments that will lay the foundation for a strong and equitable recovery with meaningful and lasting change.”

Economic Support

  • Expand broadband to unserved and underserved areas of Frederick County and upgrade IT security ($2 million)

Seniors

  • Provide equipment and retrofit homes to allow seniors to age in place through the nonprofit Advocates for the Aging ($300,000)
  • Make home repairs for seniors, veterans, and homeowners with disabilities, through the nonprofit Rebuilding Together ($300,000)
  • Conduct a feasibility study for a Frederick County Program for All-Inclusive Care of the Elderly, a program Frederick Health is considering to provide a full range of services — such as social work, medical, transportation, and rehabilitation — to frail seniors ($125,000)

Health

  • Expand a public awareness campaign for Feeding Frederick, a service to connect people to food distribution sites created in collaboration with the Community Foundation, the Ausherman Foundation, and numerous nonprofit organizations. ($44,600)

Transportation

  • Upgrade TransIT Services’ real-time tracking information for riders ($600,000)
  • Improve bus service by redesigning TransIT’s network and integrating TransIt-Plus service ($100,000)
  • Make safety improvements and other upgrades to TransIT’s bus shelters and transfer facilities ($500,000)

A Frederick County Government review committee is considering additional applications for ARPA funds to ensure proposals meet strict federal guidelines.

Visit the Frederick County website to learn more about the County’s ARPA allocation.