{"database": "press", "table": "releases", "rows": [["https://www.vanhollen.senate.gov/news/press-releases/van-hollen-alsobrooks-announce-protections-for-barc-and-over-25-million-in-direct-funding-for-local-projects-supporting-economic-development-emergency-response-veterans-infrastructure_more", "Van Hollen, Alsobrooks Announce Protections for BARC & Over $25 Million in Direct Funding for Local Projects Supporting Economic Development, Emergency Response, Veterans, Infrastructure, & More", "2025-11-25", "2025", "2025-11", "Democrat", "Senate", "MD", "Chris Van Hollen", "V000128", "www.vanhollen.senate.gov", "vanhollen", "https://www.vanhollen.senate.gov/news/press-releases", "scraper", "Today, U.S. Senator Chris Van Hollen, a member of the Senate Appropriations Committee, and U.S. Senator Angela Alsobrooks (both D-Md.) announced $25,076,500 in direct federal funding for community-led projects throughout Maryland within the fiscal year 2026 Agriculture, Rural Development, Food and Drug Administration (FDA), and Related Agencies appropriations bill \u2013 which was enacted into law as part of the government funding agreement passed earlier this month. These projects \u2013 funded at the Senators\u2019 request \u2013 support first responders, economic development, agricultural research, and more for local communities across Maryland. Also critical for Maryland, the Senators secured provisions to support the continued operations of the Beltsville Agricultural Research Center (BARC) in Prince George\u2019s County \u2013 which has been targeted for closure under the U.S. Department of Agriculture\u2019s (USDA) reorganization plan \u2013 along with $6 million to modernize aging buildings on its campus.\n\n\u201cIn partnership with community leaders across our state, we fought to secure direct federal investments in this legislation to advance local priorities \u2013 from better equipping our first responders to spurring economic development. Within this bill, we also worked to ensure BARC can continue its vital efforts to bolster the success of America\u2019s farmers, halting this Administration\u2019s misguided attempts to shutter this crown jewel of agricultural research \u2013 while also providing additional resources to support conservation in and around the Chesapeake Bay. As the appropriations process for next year moves forward, I will continue to do all I can to ensure our funding bills meet the needs of Maryland and our nation,\u201d said Senator Van Hollen, a member of the Appropriations Committee.\n\n\u201cI am so proud to have worked alongside Senator Van Hollen in pushing back against this Administration to ensure the Beltsville Agricultural Research Center (BARC) \u2013 a hub for agricultural research that supports 1,000 jobs in our state \u2013 was fully funded in Fiscal Year 2026 Agriculture, Rural Development, Food and Drug Administration (FDA), and Related Agencies Funding Bill. In addition, I am proud we were able to secure funding for mental health and substance use services, STEM-related equipment for our public libraries, support for our fire departments, additional funding to address Maryland's nurses shortage, and a radiation department and on-site radiation treatment services for cancer patients in Garrett County, MD,\u201d said Senator Alsobrooks.\n\nThe Senators worked to secure these funds and provisions, but ultimately voted against the larger package they were included within, given its failure to prevent health care costs for millions of Americans from skyrocketing and its lack of safeguards to prevent more lawlessness from the Trump Administration.\n\nHighlights for Maryland in the Fiscal Year 2026 Agriculture, Rural Development, Food and Drug Administration (FDA), and Related Agencies Funding Bill\n\nBeltsville Agricultural Research Center (BARC)\n\nBARC is the largest USDA Agricultural Research Service facility in the country and a hub for key agricultural research that supports farmers throughout the Chesapeake Bay watershed and across the nation. It supports 1,000 jobs in Maryland. The funding bill includes $6 million for BARC facility upgrades and capital improvements, including $3 million in direct federal funding requested and secured by the Senators. The bill report also includes language in support of the continued operation of BARC, which has been targeted for closure under the USDA\u2019s reorganization plan.\n\nCongressionally Directed Spending\n\nProject Name: Beltsville Agricultural Research Center Infrastructure\n\nApplicant: USDA BARC\n\nProject Description: Funds will be used to make essential upgrades to continue agricultural research at BARC, including to finish steam system repairs from power plant to endpoints, repair water towers and the water treatment plant, and repair wastewater main lines.\n\nProject Location: Prince George\u2019s County\n\nAmount Included: $3,000,000\n\nProject Name: Berlin Community Center at Historic Flower Street School Site\n\nApplicant: Town of Berlin\n\nProject Description: Funds will support the construction of a multigenerational community center that will house the SHORE UP! Head Start Center, programs for kids and families, computer labs, and recreational spaces at the site of the historic Flower Street School.\n\nProject Location: Worcester County\n\nAmount Included: $1,400,000\n\nProject Name: Carroll County Youth Service Bureau Building Addition Project\n\nApplicant: Carroll County Youth Service Bureau\n\nProject Description: Funds will support an addition to the Carroll County Youth Service Bureau Building to expand mental health and substance use services for individuals and families.\n\nProject Location: Carroll County\n\nAmount Included: $1,000,000\n\nProject Name: City of Cambridge Fire Engine Replacement\n\nApplicant: Commissioners of Cambridge - City of Cambridge\n\nProject Purpose: Funds will be used to purchase a new fire and rescue truck for Dorchester County\u2019s Rescue Fire Company to replace the oldest in their fleet, which is 13 years past its service life.\n\nProject Location: Dorchester County\n\nAmount Included: $715,000\n\nProject Name: Crisfield Fire Department & Emergency Shelter\n\nApplicant: City of Crisfield\n\nProject Purpose: Funds will be used to construct a new fire department and emergency shelter for the City of Crisfield, which will replace the existing 65-year-old station that is not suitable for modern needs and emergencies.\n\nProject Location: Somerset County\n\nAmount Included: $1,357,500\n\nProject Name: Doctor of Veterinary Medicine Program\n\nApplicant: University of Maryland Eastern Shore\n\nProject Purpose: Funds will be used for specialized equipment, vehicles, and supplies to support the new Doctor of Veterinary Medicine program at UMES. This program is essential to address the nationwide veterinarian shortage, particularly in rural areas.\n\nProject Location: Somerset County\n\nAmount Included: $1,000,000\n\nProject Name: Expanding Nursing Education and Workforce Development Technology\n\nApplicant: McDaniel College\n\nProject Description: Funds will equip a new state-of-the-art facility to educate nursing students and address Maryland\u2019s nursing shortage.\n\nProject Location: Carroll County\n\nAmount Included: $830,000\n\nProject Name: Garrett Regional Medical Center Radiology Department Planning and Design\n\nApplicant: Garrett Regional Medical Center\n\nProject Purpose: Funds will be used for a comprehensive radiation department and on-site radiation treatment services for cancer patients in Garrett County, MD and surrounding communities which currently lack convenient access to this care.\n\nProject Location: Garrett County\n\nAmount Included: $1,000,000\n\nProject Name: Kent County EMS Headquarters Enhancement Project\n\nApplicant: Kent County Board of County Commissioners\n\nProject Description: Funds will support the purchase and installation of a backup emergency power generator for the Kent County emergency medical service headquarters, ensuring that power loss or disruption events do not interrupt the continuity of emergency services provided to Kent County residents.\n\nProject Location: Kent County\n\nAmount Included: $45,000\n\nProject Name: Kent County for Millington Wastewater Treatment Plant\n\nApplicant: Kent County Board of County Commissioners\n\nProject Description: Funds will support construction of a new, relocated Wastewater Treatment Plant serving the town of Millington. The existing plant is aging and needs to be relocated from a floodplain, where there is risk of environmental damage.\n\nProject Location: Kent County\n\nAmount Included: $6,200,000\n\nProject Name: Potomac Fire Company Engine Replacement\n\nApplicant: Potomac Fire Company No.2 Inc.\n\nProject Description: Funds will be used to replace a 33-year-old fire engine to better serve and protect the Town of Westernport.\n\nProject Location: Allegany County\n\nAmount Included: $675,000\n\nProject Name: Mount St. Mary's University for Water Treatment Plant\n\nApplicant: Mount St. Mary's University\n\nProject Description: Funds will be used to construct a water treatment plant serving the campus community, patients at Frederick Health Urgent Care, and the rural Town of Emmitsburg. The project will improve drinking water infrastructure and address elevated levels of PFAS.\n\nProject Location: Frederick County\n\nAmount Included: $1,000,000\n\nProject Name: San Mar Children\u2019s Home, Inc. Facility Construction\n\nApplicant: San Mar Children's Home, Inc. DBA San Mar Family and Community Services, Inc.\n\nProject Purpose: Funds will be used to renovate buildings to provide supportive services and housing for young people to prevent homelessness.\n\nProject Location: Washington County\n\nAmount Included: $1,015,000\n\nProject Name: Shore Regional Medical Center\n\nApplicant: University of Maryland Shore Regional Health\n\nProject Purpose: Funds will be used to support construction of a new Regional Medical Center in Easton that would promote greater access to urgent healthcare by serving as the Mid-Shore\u2019s hub for acute hospital based services.\n\nProject Location: Talbot County\n\nAmount Included: $2,500,000\n\nProject Name: STEM Makerspace at the New La Plata Library\n\nApplicant: Charles County Public Library\n\nProject Description: Funds will be used to outfit a makerspace at the new La Plata branch library with STEM-related equipment such as 3D printers and laser cutters to encourage educational opportunities and support local entrepreneurship.\n\nProject Location: Charles County\n\nAmount Included: $67,000\n\nProject Name: The Foxie G Foundation Horses Helping People Center\n\nApplicant: The Foxie G Foundation, Inc\n\nProject Description: Funds will be used to support the construction and development of an equine-assisted therapy center to provide mental health services to veterans, first-responders, dementia patients and their caregivers, and at-risk youth.\n\nProject Location: Charles County\n\nAmount Included: $428,000\n\nProject Name: Town of Barclay Community Center and Town Hall\n\nApplicant: Town of Barclay\n\nProject Description: Funds will support construction of a community center and town hall to increase access to resources and information for residents and visitors.\n\nProject Location: Queen Anne's County\n\nAmount Included: $1,044,000\n\nProject Name: Town of Eagle Harbor Community Revitalization\n\nApplicant: Town of Eagle Harbor, Inc.\n\nProject Description: Funds will support expansion and renovation of the Eagle Harbor Community Center and new downtown outdoor amenities to support residents as well as local economic growth opportunities, including a park, an outdoor pavilion, and performance space.\n\nProject Location: Prince George's County\n\nAmount Included: $800,000\n\nProject Name: Veterans Freedom Center\n\nApplicant: Carroll County Veterans Independence Project, Inc.\n\nProject Description: A Veterans Freedom Center (VFC) would provide a community hub for community engagement, employment assistance, education assistance, and support services that would empower Veterans from around the region to transition successfully back to civilian life.\n\nProject Location: Carroll County\n\nAmount Included: $1,000,000\n\nAdditional priorities secured by the Senators in the FY26 Agriculture, Rural Development, Food and Drug Administration, and Related Agencies funding bill, in addition to the $6 million for BARC facility upgrades and capital improvements:\n\n$850 million for Natural Resource Conservation Service Conservation Operations \u2013 this funding allows Natural Resources Conservation Service staff to provide assistance and work one-on-one with farmers to conserve resources and prevent run-off. The bill also includes language expressing the Committee\u2019s view that additional Conservation Technical Assistance should be provided to Critical Conservation Areas like the Chesapeake Bay Watershed because a lack of planning capacity can slow down projects in our region.\n\nFunding for programs at historically Black 1890 Land-Grant institutions like the University of Maryland Eastern Shore:\n\nResearch: $89 million\n\nExtension Services: $72 million\n\nEducation Grants: $30 million\n\nFacility Improvements: $21.5 million\n\nScholarships: $10 million\n\nCenters of Excellence: $10 million\n\nOther highlights:", 1, "2026-03-30T01:40:41Z", "2026-04-06T19:52:45Z"]], "columns": ["url", "title", "date", "year", "month", "party", "chamber", "state", "member_name", "bioguide_id", "domain", "scraper", "source", "date_source", "text", "has_text", "collected_at", "updated_at"], "primary_keys": ["url"], "primary_key_values": ["https://www.vanhollen.senate.gov/news/press-releases/van-hollen-alsobrooks-announce-protections-for-barc-and-over-25-million-in-direct-funding-for-local-projects-supporting-economic-development-emergency-response-veterans-infrastructure_more"], "units": {}, "query_ms": 0.6911768577992916, "source": "dwillis/congress-press", "source_url": "https://github.com/dwillis/congress-press", "license": "MIT", "license_url": "https://github.com/dwillis/congress-press/blob/main/LICENSE"}