Washington*County*Community*Coalition!
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Washington County, MD
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History:)
Coalition)Partners:)
Washington)County)
Community)
Coalition)
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Washington#County#Government)
City#of#Hagerstown)
Washington#County#Public#Schools)
Washington#County#Library#System)
Washington#County#Convention#&#Visitors#Bureau)
Hagerstown=Washington#Co#Chamber#of#Commerce)
CHIEF#(local,#not#for#profit#CDC))
The#Greater#Hagerstown#Committee)
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The)Process:)
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In#2005,#local#leaders#formed#the#Washington#County#
Community#Coalition,#an#advocacy#group#with#a#two=
fold# mission:# # First,# we# lobby# Annapolis# on# issues#
important# to# Washington# County.# # Second,# we#
educate# State# leaders# and# policy# makers# on# the#
priorities,#activities,#and#strengths#of#our#community.###
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To# be# successful,# the# Coalition# understands# that# it#
must#go#to#Annapolis#with#“one#voice.”##To#build#this#
consensus,# we# debate# the# issues# among# ourselves#
and# select# only# those# on# which# all# the# Coalition#
partners# agree.# # We# go# to# Annapolis,# then,# with# a#
unified#message#and#an#increased#chance#for#success.##
The#process#to#develop#the#Coalition’s#agenda#begins#
with# a# series# of# meetings# to# which# the# entire#
leadership# of# all# of# the# Coalition# partners# is#
invited.## The# group# begins# in# the# summer# with#
brainstorming# sessions# designed# to# identify# issues#
important# to# our# community.# # Over# the# course# of#
several#meetings,#the#partners#trim#down#the#list#and#
agree#on#a#manageable#set#of#issues.##The# Coalition’s#
partners# research# the# agenda# items,# identify# specific#
requests,#and#prepare#white#papers#or#fact#sheets#for#
the#lobbyists#to#use.#
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#Program:)
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Once#the#issues#are#chosen#and#the#agenda#is#set,#the#
Coalition#works#with#a#team#of#professional#lobbyists#
led#by#Michael#Johansen#of#Rifkin,#Livingston,#Levitan#
&# Silver.# # The# lobbying# team# uses# our# consensus#
agenda#to#develop#a#coordinated#plan#of#action.###
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Beyond#the#set#agenda,#the#Coalition#uses#the#lobbyist#
as# a# “trip=wire”# –# an# early# warning# system# to# alert#
community# leaders# of# legislative# threats# to#
Washington# County.# # Armed# with# the# information,#
and# working# with# our# lobbyists,# the# Coalition#
partners#can#often#resolve#issues#before#they#become#
problems.###
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For*more*information:* *
Contact:*Brien*Poffenberger*
Email:*[email protected]**
Office:*301;739;*2015*ext.*102*
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Partners# develop# a# strategic# lobbying# program#
for#the#community#including#priority#projects#and#
a#“Watch#List”#of#local#issues#of#concern#
Community# Leaders# attend# a# “Day# in# Annapolis”#
during# the# General# Assembly# session# to# lobby#
State#leaders#on#community#initiatives###
“Meet# and# Greet”# legislators# throughout# the#
session#at#various#special#events#
Several# of# the# partners# also# sponsor# a# legislative#
reception# to# project# the# “brand”# of# Washington#
County#as#a#future#area#of#prosperity#for#MD#
The# Coalition# receives# year=round# advocacy#
updates#from#our#lobbyists#
Lobbying# team# tracks# and# reports# on# local#
legislation#
The# lobbying# team# serves# as# an# on=call# “trip#
Wire”.# # Community# leaders# receive# advice# and#
help#as#new#issues#or#initiatives#develop.##
Hagerstown**;*Washington*County*Chamber*of*Commerce*
28*W.*Washington*Street***Hagerstown,*MD*21740*
www.hagerstown.org*
Washington*County*Community*Coalition'
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Summary'of'2014'Legislative'Agenda'
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 Continued* State* support* to* assist* in* expediting* multi;phased* improvements* to* the* Eastern* Boulevard* Corridor* and*
Professional* Boulevard/Bridge* extension:! This! major! transportation! corridor! project! includes! multiple! phases! that! will!
improve! traffic! capacity! along! the! Eastern! Blvd! Corridor,! US! Rt.! 40,! MD! Rt.! 64,! MD! Rt.! 60,! Robinwood! Drive! and!
surrounding!areas.!!These!phases!include:!!!
• Widening!of!Eastern!Blvd!from!MD!64!to!Security!Blvd!(Phase!1!–!currently!90%!designed)!!
• Widening!Eastern!Blvd!from!Security!Blvd!to!Antietam!Rd.!(Phase!2!J!design!for!this!phase!begins!in!December,!
funded!by!a!Federal!earmark!of!$356k!and!a!County!match!of!$89k)!
• Construct* a* bridge* and* four;lane* connector* highway* from* Eastern* Blvd* to* Robinwood* Drive* ;* Professional*
Boulevard*and*Bridge*over*Antietam*Creek*(State!recently!awarded!!$1.12M!for!planning!and!design)!!
• Extension!of!Eastern!Blvd!from!Antietam!Drive!to!MD!Rt.!60!at!Marsh!Pike!
• Study!the!need!for!a!grade!separation!structure!where!Eastern!Blvd!and!CSX!Railroad!intersect!
Final!design!and!construction!of!this!fourJlane!divided!Eastern!Blvd!configuration!and!connector!road!to!Robinwood!Drive!
will! aid! in! reducing! highway! accidents! and! congestion! (23%! reduction! on! U.S.! Rt.! 40)! and! therefore! meet! local! and!
commuter!transportation!needs!in!this!corridor!for!the!next!40!years.!!The!range!of!average!daily!traffic!on!Eastern!Blvd!is!
from! 19,000! to! 23,000! vpd.! ! Because! of! regional! growth,! much! of! which! occurs! outside! of! Washington! County! and! the!
state,! traffic! is! anticipated! to! grow! at! above! average! rates! and! soon! exceed! 30,000! vehicles! per! day.! Final! design! and!
construction!of!the!relief!connector!roads!including!Professional!Court!Extended,!a!bridge!over!Antietam!Creek!and!Yale!
Drive!will!aid!in!reducing!highway!accidents,!congestion!and!enhance!connectivity!to!major!community!amenities!such!as:!
Hagerstown! Community! College,! an! extensive! network! of! physician! offices,! surgical! centers,! and! the! newly! opened!
regional!medical!facility!and!trauma!center!J!Meritus!Medical!Center.!!In!addition,!this!infrastructure!will!improve!access!
to! approximately! 175! ac.! of! land! targeted! for! highJtech! development! in! the! Mt! Aetna! Farms! Technology! Park.! The*
community* is* grateful* for* the* recent* state* funding* allocation* of* $1.12M* for* the* planning* and* design* of* Professional*
Court*extension*and*bridge*over*Antietam*Creek.!!This!planning!and!design!study!will!take!approximately!18!months!to!
complete.! ! Request:! The! State! consider! an! expedited! plan! review! and! approval! process! for! the! various! phases! of!
improvements!to!the!Eastern!Blvd!Corridor!in!order!for!the!project!to!be!completed!in!a!timely!fashion!and!alleviate!traffic!
congestion! in! this! area.! In! addition,! upon! completion! of! the! Professional! Boulevard/Bridge! planning! and! design! study!
(estimated!Spring!’15),!additional!State!support!is!needed!for!construction!of!the!project!roughly!estimated!at!$7M.!
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 Future* Widening* of* I;81:* The! community! greatly! appreciates! the! recent! state! programming! of! funds! to! widen! the! IJ81!
Bridge!over!the!Potomac!River!($43M!over!FY17JFY19).!!In!Maryland,!IJ81!has!been!identified!as!a!safety!corridor!based!on!
high!accident!rates,!and!is!a!nationally!significant!freight!corridor,!aiding!commerce!in!the!region.!IJ81!serves!foreign!trade!
zones,!enterprise!zones,!and!other!projected!high!employment!growth!areas!including!our!regional!airport,!making!it!vital!
to! regional! commerce! and! economic! development.! Our! Hagerstown/Eastern! Panhandle’s! Metropolitan! Planning!
Organization’s! 2010! Long! Range! Plan! noted! that! IJ81! is! “heavily! congested! operating! with! a! peak! period! LOS! (level! of!
service)!F!in!2008!and!is!forecasted!to!become!even!more!congested!with!an!excess!demand!of!over!30,000!vehicles!per!
day!in!2035.”!!Request:!As!this!bridgeWwidening!project!moves!forward,!we!ask!that!the!State!continue!the!momentum!to!
ultimately!widen!the!12!miles!of!IW81!from!the!West!Virginia!to!Pennsylvania!Line!to!6!lanes,!understanding!that!this!is!a!
long!term!project!that!will!likely!need!to!be!constructed!in!phases!due!to!funding!constraints.!
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 Support*revitalization*Initiatives*for*Hagerstown’s*Downtown*Core:*!
• Renovation!and!expansion!capital!for!the!Maryland!Theater!
• Future!expansion!and!upgrades!to!our!downtown!educational!facilities!(USMH/BISFA)!
• Implementation!of!various!elements!of!the!City’s!Sustainable!Communities!Plan!
• Environmental!remediation!and/or!demolition!projects!
• Parking!infrastructure!
For*more*information:* *
Contact:*Brien*Poffenberger*
Email:*[email protected]**
Office:*301;739;*2015*ext.*102*
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Hagerstown**;*Washington*County*Chamber*of*Commerce*
28*W.*Washington*Street***Hagerstown,*MD*21740*
www.hagerstown.org*
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Washington*County*Community*Coalition'
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Summary'of'2014'Legislative'Agenda''
 Washington*County*–*A*Future*Area*Of*Prosperity*For*MD:**!
The!State!has!created!some!great!programs!to!promote!and!attract!high!tech!jobs!and!jobs!associated!with!the!Port!
of!Baltimore.!Cybersecurity,!biotech,!aero!defense,!advanced!manufacturing,!and!technology!transfer!opportunities!
from! the! many! Federal! labs! and! agencies! headquartered! in! Maryland! are! industries! that! could! also! thrive! in!
Washington!County,!however!we!are!often!overlooked!in!these!conversations.!!Request:!The!State!take!into!account!
the!assets!in!Washington!County!that!could!be!leveraged!for!the!growing!industries!in!Maryland,!and!take!proactive!
steps! to! assist! us! in! diversifying! our! local! economy! to! be! more! recession! proof.! ! In! addition,! as! new! regulations,!
polices,! economic! development! incentives,! and! taxes! are! considered,! evaluate! their! economic! impacts! on! our! rural!
community!so!that!they!are!beneficial!to!this!endeavor.!
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 2014*“Watch*List”!–!Throughout!the!program’s!history,!the!Coalition!has!used!the!lobbyists!as!a!“tripJwire”!to!alert!
us! to! issues! or! problems! that! affect! our! County! early! so! the! community! can! respond.! ! Several! specific! issues!
identified!for!monitoring!include:!
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County’s*Gaming*Revenue*J!Protect!our!locally!controlled!gaming!system!where!all!proceeds!are!distributed!
to!significantly!support!local!charities!and!our!fire!and!rescue!community.!*
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University* System* of* Maryland* at* Hagerstown* Operational* Funding! J! The! University! System! Center! in!
Hagerstown!has!been!a!successful!community!catalyst!increasing!the!levels!of!educational!attainment!in!our!
region!and!stimulating!economic!development!in!our!downtown!core.!!USMH!is!one!of!eight!regional!higher!
education! centers! (RHECs)! in! Maryland.! It! is! one! of! two! that! are! operated! by! the! University! System! of!
Maryland!(USM).!Since!USMH’s!opening!in!2005,!it!continues!to!grow!and!be!an!anchor!for!our!downtown!
core.!!As!this!key!educational!institution!continues!to!grow!and!prosper,!it!is!essential!the!State!maintains!
the!operational!funding!necessary!to!keep!the!facility!open!and!allow!for!its!continued!growth.!*
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Virtual* Learning* –! Keep! abreast! of! opportunities! or! revenue! to! develop! virtual! learning! initiatives! in! our!
school!system!and!monitor!current!funding!allocated!to!WCPS!for!their!virtual!high!school!pilot!program!*
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Maryland* Libraries* Capital* Funding!–!Protect!the!current!appropriations!available!statewide!to!assist!with!
capital!library!projects.!!Areas!that!may!utilize!funds!include!a!proposed!new!library!in!Hancock.*
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HCC*Capital*Funding!–!Monitor!funding!program!for!capital!projects!at!community!colleges!
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State* Broadband* Initiatives* –! Keep! abreast! of! opportunities! to! further! extend! broadband! access! and!
capacity!to!Washington!County!businesses,!residents,!local!governments!and!schools.!
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Heart*of*The*Civil*War*Heritage*Area*–!Monitor!legislation!aimed!at!reducing!funding!of!this!program!that!
supports!various!Washington!County!tourism!programs!and!events!
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Highway* User* Revenue* (HUR)* and* State* Aid* for* Police* –* Monitor!initiatives/legislation!aimed!at!reducing!
HUR!or!current!state!aid!for!police!protection!in!small!towns!and!support!legislation!that!restores!HUR!to!
local!governments*
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Shifting* State* Liabilities* to* Local* Government* ;* Monitor! any! initiatives! to! shift! current! state! liabilities! to!
local!government!such!as!pension!costs!(librarians,!teachers,!HCC!professors)*
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Impervious* Surface* Tax* –! Monitor! the! implementation! of! any! State! legislation! requiring! a! tax! levied! on!
impervious!surfaces.!!!With!a!local!economy!relying!heavy!on!warehousing,!distribution,!manufacturing,!and!
retail,!any!tax!levied!on!impervious!surfaces!would!have!a!significant!negative!effect!on!our!ability!to!retain!
and!attract!these!industries!which!typically!require!a!large!amount!of!impervious!space.!!This!tax!would!be!
detrimental!to!an!already!struggling!economy!that!has!not!yet!recovered!from!the!national!recession.*
Eastern Boulevard Corridor Improvements
Washington*County*Community*Coalition*
PROJECT DESCRIPTION:
QUALITY OF SERVICE:
This project will improve the Eastern Blvd Corridor by widening
Eastern Blvd from U.S. Rt. 40 to Antietam Drive, possibly
constructing a grade separation structure where Eastern Blvd
and CSX Railroad intersect, extending Eastern Blvd from
Antietam Drive to MD Rt. 60, constructing a bridge and fourlane connector highway from Eastern Blvd to Robinwood Drive
(Professional BLVD - see separate sheet).
The project improves the quality of service to the users by
offering more multimodal options. Steering the road project
and community development toward a more pedestrian and
transit oriented development life-style, makes the overall
transportation experience more positive.
Final design and construction of the resulting four-lane divided
Eastern Blvd configuration will aid in reducing highway
accidents and congestion and therefore meet local and
commuter transportation needs, in this corridor, for the next 40
years. The range of average daily traffic on Eastern Blvd is
from 19,000 to 23,000 vpd. Because of regional growth, much
of which occurs outside of Washington County and the state,
traffic is anticipated to exceed 30,000 vehicles per day by
2013. Eastern Blvd Traffic growth rate is >13% per year. Final
design and construction of the relief connector roads will aid in
reducing highway accidents, congestion, and connectivity to
major community amenities, such as Hagerstown Community
College, an extensive network of physician offices, surgical
centers and the newly opened regional medical facility and
trauma center - Meritus Medical Center. Ambulance response
times also decreased.
This project will enhance community safety and security on
many fronts. First, more multimodal connectivity will be
provided to key community oriented facilities. The project will
provide quicker access and shorter response times to the
region’s medical and level II trauma center.
PROJECT BENEFITS:
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Provide interstate access from adjoining state traffic.
Improved access to the local community college and the
regional medical facility (trauma center).
Create transit integration
Reduce/eliminate anticipated traffic congestion 23%.
Reduce driver delay.
Improve economic development opportunities.
Fuel and pollution mitigation cost savings.
Improved emergency vehicle response times.
Removal of nearly 20,000 vpd by 2035 on a congested US
Route 40 based on a recently completed traffic study
performed by the City and County
MD’s TRANSPORTATION PLAN & GOALS:
This project is consistent with the State of Maryland’s
Transportation Plan, mission, vision and goals. The foundation
of the MTP is to enhance the quality of life for Maryland’s
citizens by providing a balanced and sustainable multimodal
transportation system for safe, efficient passenger and freight
movement.
Implementing this project will aid the local governments and
state government to achieve its vision for a world-class
multimodal transportation system that supports a vibrant
economy and an excellent quality of life for all.
SAFETY & SECURITY:
Traffic studies completed for the proposed work indicates a
23% reduction in traffic congestion and significant volume
reductions on at least two major existing routes, thus providing
a safer traffic environment.
PRESERVATION & PERFORMANCE:
Reducing congestion and traffic volumes on existing routes,
aids in the preservation of existing routes of the transportation
system. Overall transportation system performance will
improve by creating more multimodal options and connecting
vital community services.
ENVIRONMENTAL STEWARDSHIP:
The overall construction emphasizes more connectivity and
expanded use of non-passenger car vehicle trips.
The
proposal will increase opportunities for mass transit
connectivity and provide for accessible pedestrian and bicycle
use.
A comprehensive environmental analysis will be
completed for appropriate phases and design and construction
will meet or exceed environmental standards.
CONNECTIVITY FOR DAILY LIFE:
Supporting this project is a commitment to support the
economic vitality of Hagerstown, Washington County and the
State of Maryland. This investment will provide a balanced,
multimodal system necessary to support economic
development in the region. This project makes sense because
it provides an opportunity for the community to capture a
greater market presence in the technology and medical
industries. These markets ar targeted worldwide and will
create a bright economic future for Maryland.
REQUEST:
The State consider expedited plan review and approval
process for the various phases of improvements to the Eastern
Blvd Corridor in order for the project to be completed in a
timely fashion and alleviate traffic congestion in this area. State
funding assistance is also needed for Professional Boulevard
(described in a separate sheet).
Washington County, Maryland
Rob Slocum, Director of the Division of Engineering and Construction Management
80 W. Baltimore Street, Hagerstown, MD 21740
www.washco-md.net / 240-313-2400 / [email protected]
Eastern Boulevard Corridor Improvements
Washington*County*Community*Coalition*
Mt. Aetna Farms
Technology Park
(175 ac.)
Mt. Aetna Farms
Technology Park
(175 ac.)
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Washington County, Maryland
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Rob Slocum, Director of the Division of Engineering and Construction Management
80 W. Baltimore Street, Hagerstown, MD 21740
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www.washco-md.net / 240-313-2400 / [email protected]
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Professional Boulevard and Bridge
Washington*County*Community*Coalition*
PROJECT DESCRIPTION:
SAFETY & SECURITY:
The Professional Boulevard and Bridge project will provide
a much needed connection between the City of Hagerstown
and vital community resources. The four-lane minor arterial,
including bridge over the Antietam Creek, is now under
design, thanks to state and local funding.
More multimodal connectivity will be provided to key
community oriented facilities including Meritus Medical
Center. Professional Blvd will reduce travel times to the
region’s medical and level II trauma center from the
City of Hagerstown by approximately 5 minutes and
avoids 5 signalized intersections for our local EMS
services. The pink portion represents the shortest existing
route via Eastern Blvd., US RT 40 (Dual Highway), and Mt.
Aetna Road.
A top priority common to the City of Hagerstown and
Washington County, the proposed improvements have
strong local support from citizens and business leaders in
the community. The project’s scope includes approximately
4,000 feet of roadway, shared use paths, and a 300’ multispan bridge.
Construction will provide a direct connection between two
existing four-lane roadways and significant community
assets. Among them are Hagerstown Community College
and Meritus Medical Center, our regional hospital and
trauma center. In addition this road will provide improved
access to approximately 150 acres of land targeted for
Office, Research, and Technology development owned by
CHIEF, our local industrial foundation.
PROJECT BENEFITS:
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Improve community college and medical facility access
Reduce traffic congestion and delay up to 25%
Restore much needed capacity to US Route 40
Improve high-tech economic development opportunities
Mitigate fuel and pollution expense
Reduce emergency response times by several minutes
MD’s TRANSPORTATION PLAN & GOALS:
This project is consistent with the State of Maryland’s
Transportation Plan, mission, vision and goals. The
foundation of the MTP is to enhance the quality of life for
Maryland’s citizens by providing a balanced and
sustainable multimodal transportation system for safe,
efficient passenger and freight movement.
Project support will aid the local and state government to
achieve its vision for a world-class multimodal
transportation system with a vibrant, diverse economy and
an excellent quality of life for all.
PRESERVATION & PERFORMANCE:
Reducing congestion and traffic volumes on existing routes,
aids in the preservation of the existing network. Traffic
studies show a reduction in traffic congestion and
significant volume reductions on at least two existing roads.
Overall transportation system performance will improve by
creating more multimodal options and connecting vital
community services.
QUALITY OF SERVICE:
The project improves the quality of service to the users by
offering multimodal options not available today. More than
a road project, the design provides pedestrian, bicycle and
transit access. The surrounding lands and development will
take on a campus atmosphere where mobility options do
not always require the traditional vehicle
ENVIRONMENTAL STEWARDSHIP:
This project emphasizes environmentally sensitive design,
and will meet or exceed the Maryland Department of
Environment Best Management Practices. With ample
funding, scope enhancements will include stream
restoration, biological planting, and forestation above
standard requirements.
CONNECTIVITY FOR DAILY LIFE:
Supporting this project is a commitment to support the
economic vitality of Hagerstown, Washington County and
the State of Maryland. This investment will provide a
balanced, multimodal system necessary to support high
tech economic development in the region. The project
provides an opportunity for the community to capture a
greater market presence in the technology and medical
industries. These markets are targeted worldwide and will
create a bright economic future for all of Maryland.
Washington County, Maryland
Rob Slocum, Director of the Division of Engineering and Construction Management
80 W. Baltimore Street, Hagerstown, MD 21740
www.washco-md.net / 240-313-2400 / [email protected]
Professional Boulevard and Bridge
Washington*County*Community*Coalition*
FUNDING:
Environmental Planning:
Engineering and Design:
Construction:
Right-of-way:
Total project cost:
Funded
Funded
$ 13,670,000
$ 330,000
$ 14,000,000
FUNDING SOURCES:
• Federal Government
• State of Maryland
• Washington County Government
• City of Hagerstown
REQUEST:
Washington County is grateful for the State’s recent allocation of $1.12M for the design of this project which
is estimated to be completed in the spring of 2015. We ask for continued support from the Maryland
Department of Transportation to complete the funded design in a timely fashion. Additional support for
bridge construction is estimated at $7,000,000 of a total project cost of $14,000,000 (Road portion $7M).
OVERALL PROJECT:
Red road segment connecting Yale Drive to HCC represents existing and committed roads that will soon
start construction. The red portion connecting Professional CT to Robinwood Drive represents the bridge
and the remaining sections of Professional Boulevard mentioned above.
Mt. Aetna Farms
Technology Park
(175 ac.)
Washington County, Maryland
Rob Slocum, Director of the Division of Engineering and Construction Management
80 W. Baltimore Street, Hagerstown, MD 21740
www.washco-md.net / 240-313-2400 / [email protected]
Widening of I-81 (Maryland Veterans Memorial Hwy)
Washington*County*Community*Coalition*
PROJECT(HISTORY:(
NEW(DEVELOPMENTS:(
In# 2001,# SHA# completed# a# $3.5M# study# to# reconstruct# I=81#
from# 4# lanes# to# 6# lanes# from# the# West# Virginia# State# Line# to#
the#Pennsylvania#State#Line#(12.08#miles).##The#purpose#of#the#
project#was#to#improve#traffic#operations#and#safety#along#I=
81# from# the# West# Virginia# State# Line# to# the# Pennsylvania#
State#Line.##
Following#completion#of#the#study#and#approval#of#the#design#
almost# 10# years# ago,# little# progress# was# made# to# complete#
the# widening# of# this# important# transportation# corridor.##
However,# this# year# SHA# funded# the# Planning# and# Design# for#
the# widening# and# rehabilitation# of# the# existing# dual# bridges#
on#I=81#over#the#Potomac#River#at#the#Maryland/West#Virginia#
state# line.# In# addition# $43M# has# been# designated# for# the#
construction#of#this#project#over#FY17=FY19.###
According# to# past# SHA# documents:# “Traffic# conditions# along#
this#segment#of#I=81#have#deteriorated#over#time.#Deficiencies#
in# interchange# ramp# configurations# and# lengths# of# merge#
lanes,# as# well# as# increasing# truck# traffic,# have# created#
operational# problems.# These# issues# have# contributed# to# a#
number# of# accidents# along# the# highway.# Between# 1998# and#
2000,#there#were#276#accidents#along#mainline#I=81.#Of#these#
accidents,# the# rates# for# fatal# accidents# and# truck# related#
accidents# were# significantly# higher# than# the# statewide# rates#
for#similar#types#of#highways.”#
The# Maryland# section# of# I=81# has# been# identified# as# a# safety#
corridor#based#on#high#accident#rates.##The#2010#Long#Range#
Plan# of# our# region’s# MPO# noted# that# I=81# is# “heavily#
congested#operating#with#a#peak#period#Level#Of#Service#F#in#
2008#and#is#forecasted#to#become#even#more#congested#with#
an#excess#demand#of#over#30,000#vehicles#per#day#in#2035.”#
In#2004,#several#designs#were#proposed#to#the#community#to#
widen# the# interstate# and# improve# the# interchange#
configurations.##Multiple#meetings#were#held#with#the#public,#
government# staff,# and# local# elected# officials# to# review# the#
alternatives.##In#the#end,#“Alternate#3A#–#Inside#Widening#with#
Collector=Distributor# Roads”# was# selected# as# the# preferred#
choice.#
Under#this#alternate,#I=81#will#be#widened#to#six#lanes#on#the#
inside#(towards#the#median).#The#outside#lanes#will#include#a#
two=lane#C=D#road#with#an#additional#auxiliary#lane#extending#
from# the# I=70# interchange# through# the# Halfway# Boulevard#
interchange# for# both# north# and# southbound# structures.# This#
alternate# will# also# require# the# widening# of# the# northbound#
and#southbound#spans#of#the#bridge#over#the#Potomac#River.#
This# alternate# best# fulfills# the# project’s# purpose# and# need#
because# the# interchange# improvements,# in# conjunction# with#
the# mainline# widening# and# C=D# road# extension,# enhance#
safety#and#traffic#operations#better#than#the#other#alternates.##
The# selected# alternate# would# also# include# improvements# at#
various#interchanges.#
(
The#dual#bridge#structures#carry#a#current#average#daily#traffic#
volume# of# 61,300# with# a# projected# average# daily# traffic#
volume#of#84,375#in#20#years.#The#structures#are#1136+’#long#
and#cross#the#C&O#Canal#National#Historic#Park,#the#Potomac#
River#and#extend#into#West#Virginia.#
According#to#SHA,#these#bridges#are#Maryland’s#responsibility#
for# management# and# maintenance.# West# Virginia# has# an#
improvement# project# approximately# 2.5# miles# south# of# this#
location# where# they# are# widening# the# I=81# roadway# to#
accommodate#3#lanes#in#each#direction#to#the#bridge.#
While#the#bridges#are#not#currently#structurally#deficient,#the#
roadway# surface# for# each# bridge# is# 47# years# old,# carry# heavy#
truck# traffic,# and# are# beginning# to# show# signs# of# advancing#
deterioration#with#the#need#for#patching.#This#project#will#be#
coordinated#with#the#National#Park#Service#and#West#Virginia.#
The# community# greatly# appreciates# the# recent# state#
programming# of# funds# to# widen# the# I=81# Bridge# over# the#
Potomac# River# ($43M# over# FY17=FY19).# I=81# is# a# nationally#
significant# freight# corridor,# aiding# commerce# in# the# region#
and# along# the# east# coast.# Locally,# it# serves# foreign# trade#
zones,# enterprise# zones,# and# other# projected# high#
employment# growth# areas# including# our# regional# airport,#
making# it# vital# to# regional# commerce# and# economic#
development#our#community.##
We# look# forward# to# continue# working# with# the# State# to#
advance# the# widening# of# I=81# in# a# timely# fashion# as# funds#
become# available.# # We# understand# that# this# is# a# long=term#
project# that# will# likely# need# to# be# constructed# in# phases# due#
to#funding#constraints.!
REQUEST:(
As! this! I(81! Potomac! River! bridge(widening! project!
moves! forward,! we! ask! that! the! State! continue! the!
momentum! to! ultimately! widen! the! 12! miles! of! I(81!
from!West!Virginia!to!Pennsylvania!to!6!lanes.!!
Washington County, Maryland
Rob Slocum, Director of Engineering and Construction Management
80 W. Baltimore Street, Hagerstown, MD 21740
www.washco-md.net / 240-313-2400 / [email protected]
Widening of I-81 (Maryland Veterans Memorial Hwy)
Washington*County*Community*Coalition*
#
(
#
(
#
#
Note: WV now plans to
finish their 6 lane
widening of I-81 from
just south of
Martinsburg to the
Potomac River Bridge
Washington County, Maryland
Rob Slocum, Director of Engineering and Construction Management
80 W. Baltimore Street, Hagerstown, MD 21740
www.washco-md.net / 240-313-2400 / [email protected]
Widening of I-81 (Maryland Veterans Memorial Hwy)
Washington*County*Community*Coalition*
Washington County, Maryland
Rob Slocum, Director of Engineering and Construction Management
80 W. Baltimore Street, Hagerstown, MD 21740
www.washco-md.net / 240-313-2400 / [email protected]
Widening of I-81 (Maryland Veterans Memorial Hwy)
Washington*County*Community*Coalition*
!
(
#
(
#
#
#
#
Washington County, Maryland
Rob Slocum, Director of Engineering and Construction Management
80 W. Baltimore Street, Hagerstown, MD 21740
www.washco-md.net / 240-313-2400 / [email protected]
Hagerstown+Revitalization+Initiatives*
!
!
!!! Washington*County*Community*Lobbying*Coalition*
!
OVERVIEW:+
SUSTAINABLE+COMMUNITY+PLAN:+
Downtown!Hagerstown!and!adjacent!lands!to!the!east!are!in!
need! of! a! major! redevelopment! initiative.! Revitalizing! this!
area! is! critical! in! the! county’s! broader! strategy! to! diversify!
its! economy,! create! a! vibrant,! walkable,! urban! core,! and!
attract!and!retain!a!young!educated!workforce!for!highBtech!
companies.!The!community!is!currently!working!to:!
Hagerstown’s! Sustainable! Community! Plan! received! the!
State’s!approval!in!March,!2012.!!The!plan!is!founded!on!six!
governing!principles:!
Identify! new! downtown! anchors! or! renovate! and!
expand!existing!anchors!such!as!the!historic!MD!Theatre!
to!create!investor!confidence!and!spark!revitalization!to!
our!urban!core!and!adjacent!lands!to!the!east.!
• Expand! the! educational! footprint! downtown! including!
The! Barbara! Ingram! School! for! the! Arts! and! The!
University!System!Of!MarylandB!Hagerstown!
• Diversify! the! housing! stock! and! limit! the! concentration!
of!low!income!and!subsidized!housing!
• Remove! and/or! reuse! blighted! buildings! and! longBtime!
environmental!hazards!in!this!area.!!
• Create!redevelopment!strategies!for!the!downtown!A&E!
district,!the!old!hospital!site,!and!the!East!End!
!
MELP+PLANT:+
•
A! top! priority! of! the! Mayor! and! Council! is! the! demolition!
and! cleanup! of! the! former! Municipal! Electric! Light! Plant!
(MELP)! located! on! Eastern! Blvd.,! adjacent! to! the! Antietam!
Creek.!!The!MELP!Property!is!currently!privately!owned!and!
the! City! is! negotiating! with! the! owner! to! acquire! the!
property.! The! Mayor! and! Council! view! the! current! state! of!
the! property! as! a! blighting! influence! on! the! community!
which! poses! potentially! hazardous! risks! to! the! public.! ! In!
addition! to! the! environmental! conditions! that! exist! on! the!
property,! which! require! remediation,! the! City! has! a! large!
primary! wastewater! main! which! runs! under! the! property!
that! is! critical! to! protect! and! maintain.! ! In! the! event! the!
City’s! discussions! with! the! property! owner! lead! to!
Hagerstown’s!acquisition!of!the!property,!the!City!intends!to!
complete!the!necessary!demolition,!remediation,!and!clean!
up! of! the! property! to! address! the! current! conditions! and!
threats.!!As!this!project!proceeds!the!City!will!be!interested!in!
exploring! possible! State! funding! and! accelerated!
remediation!approvals!from!MDE!to!assist!with!the!cleanup!
of!this!important!property!in!Hagerstown.!
1)
2)
3)
4)
5)
6)
Supporting!Smart!Growth/Protecting!the!Environment!
Valuing!Our!Neighborhoods!–!Building!on!Our!Assets!
Enhancing!Economic!Competitiveness!
Promoting!Quality!Housing!
Increasing!Efficiency!of!Transportation!
Leveraging!Funding!–!Private!and!Public!!
Utilizing! a! $100,000! grant! received! through! DBED,!
Hagerstown!hired!the!consulting!firm,!Urban!Partners!out!of!
Philadelphia! to! complete! a! detailed! market! and! financial!
analysis! of! Hagerstown! in! the! areas! of! retail,! residential,!
office,! entertainment,! and! lodging.! ! The! focus! of! Urban!
Partners’! work! will! be! Hagerstown’s! downtown! and! the!
larger! Sustainable! Community! Area.! ! It! will! include! the!
development! of! a! realityBbased! roadmap! for! the!
implementation! of! potential! revitalization! projects.! ! This!
roadmap!will!be!an!important!next!step!in!achieving!the!goals!
of!Hagerstown’s!Sustainable!Community!Plan.!
It! is! anticipated! that! the! Urban! Partners! Project! will! be!
completed!by!midBsummer,!2014.!!Based!on!the!outcome!of!
the! report! and! the! projects! recommended! for! consideration,!
Hagerstown! may! seek! State! assistance! and/or! funding! for!
project!implementation.!
PARKING+INFRASTRUCTURE:!
To! further! Hagerstown’s! downtown! revitalization! goals! and!
encourage!private!sector!investment,!the!Mayor!and!Council!
are! presently! evaluating! the! cost! and! feasibility! of!
constructing!a!third!downtown!parking!deck.!!A!parking!study!
completed! in! June,! 2012! identified! a! target! area! in!
Hagerstown’s!downtown!based!on!current!parking!demands!
and! future! projections! of! development! and! building!
occupancy.!!!
Preliminarily,! the! Mayor! and! Council! have! directed! staff! to!
include!funding!in!the!FY!16!and!FY!17!Capital!Budget.!Based!
on!the!ability!of!the!City!to!secure!property!and!private!sector!
support,!the!City!may!need!to!seek!State!financial!assistance!
to!make!this!project!financially!feasible.!!
For!more!information:!
!
Contact:+Bruce+Zimmerman,+Hagerstown+City+Administrator+
1+East+Franklin+Street++
Hagerstown,+MD+21740+
Office:+301K739K8577++
+
Email:[email protected]+ +
www.hagerstownmd.org+
!
Redevelopment&Area&
Washington County Community Coalition
Old Municipal Electric Light
Plant (MELP)
Project targeted for demolition
and environmental clean up
Antietam Creek
Future Boating Trail
Old First Urban Fiber Plant
Unoccupied for many years
Old Municipal Stadium
Current home of the
Hagerstown Suns Single A
professional baseball team
Washington Nationals Affiliate
Targeted for replacement
Former Washington County
Hospital Site
Hospital demolished in 2012
Feasibility Study recently
completed for reuse options for
area highlighted in red
New $22M Western MD
Regional Library
Hagerstown’s Downtown and
Arts & Entertainment
District
Home of:
•
•
•
•
•
Historic(Maryland(Theater(
Barbara(Ingram(School(
for(the(Arts(
University(System(of(MD(
Hagerstown(
County(Offices(
City(Hall(
Hagerstown City Park
11
Maryland Theatre Renovations
Washington*County*Community*Coalition*
HISTORY:)
PROJECT)SCOPE:)
Built&in&1915&at&a&cost&of&about&
$200,000& The& Maryland&
Theater& was& designed& by&
renowned& architect& Thomas&
W.&Lamb&of&New&York&(known&
for& his& work& on& the& Hippodrome& Theatres,& Madison&
Square& Garden,& and& theatres& in& England,& Egypt,& India,&
and&South&Africa).&&The&Theatre’s&doors&opened&May&10,&
1915&to&a&sellPout&audience&who&were&treated&to&music&
by&a&live&orchestra&in&the&pit&as&well&as&a&fivePreel&feature&
film,& “The& Commuters”.& General& seats& for& this&
performance&cost&10&cents.&(Box&seats&were&35&cents).&
In) September) 2015,) The) Maryland) Theatre) will)
celebrate) its) 100th) Anniversary.& & Various& repairs& and&
piecemeal& renovations& have& occurred& over& this& period,&
including& a& recent& roof& replacement& ($600k)& and& light&
and& sound& enhancements.& & But& time& has& taken& its& toll,&
and& the& building& is& in& need& of& a& significant& renovation&
plan& to& allow& it& to& continue& to& be& the& anchor& for& our&
downtown&core.&Phase&I&renovations&include:)
The& Maryland& Theatre& remained& primarily& a& vaudeville&
house& until& 1929& when& sound& came& to& the& movies.& In&
1974,& the& Theatre& was& partially& destroyed& by& fire& and&
fell& into& disrepair.& In& 1976,& a& local& funeral& director& and&
community& leader,& Gerald& N.& Minnich,& purchased& the&
building&just&before&it&was&to&be&sold&to&a&contractor&for&
demolition&and&salvage&for&its&1,000,000&bricks.&&
The&Theatre&rePopened&in&1978,&led&by&the&extraordinary&
efforts& of& local& businessman,& Jack& Garrott,& and& the&
dedication& of& community& members& who& named&
themselves& “Citizens& to& Save& The& Maryland& Theatre”.&
The&historic,&beautifully&restored&neoclassical&venue&had&
its& grand& rePopening,& and& it& has& been& delighting&
audiences&continually&ever&since.&
The& Maryland& Theatre& is& the& anchor& to& Hagerstown’s&
Arts&&&Entertainment&district&in&the&core&of&downtown.&
It&is&neighbors&to&the&Barbara&Ingram&High&School&for&the&
visual&and&performing&arts,&The&Washington&County&Arts&
Council&and&numerous&businesses&and&retail&enterprises.&
The&Theatre&provides&comfortable&seating&for&1300&and&
entertains& with& a& diverse& set& of& performances&
throughout&the&year.&&In&addition,&it&serves&as&the&home&
of& the& Maryland& Symphony& Orchestra,& the& annual& Miss&
Maryland& Pageant,& and& a& venue& for& graduation&
ceremonies& for& several& local& High& Schools.& The&
marvelous& acoustics& in& the& auditorium& are& only&
surpassed& by& the& beautiful& architecture& and& wonderful&
ambiance.& Overall,& the& Maryland& Theatre& welcomes&
over&120,000&people&through&its&doors&each&year.&&&
The Maryland Theatre
Jessica Green, Executive Director
21 S. Potomac Street, Hagerstown, MD 21740
www.mdtheatre.org/ 301-790-3500 / [email protected]
•
•
•
•
New& HVAC& system& to& replace& ancient,& inefficient&
system,&in&order&to&meet&current&code&requirements&
for& the& Theatre,& box& office& and& concessions&
buildings.&&&The&new&HVAC&system&will&dramatically&
reduce& the& annual& budget& of& maintenance& and&
repairs& while& creating& a& more& comfortable&
environment& for& the& many& students,& volunteers,&
artists& and& theatre& patrons& utilizing& The& Maryland&
Theatre&each&year.&&(Estimated&cost&$511,500)&
Replacement& of& worn,& poorly& sized& theatre& seating&
(1379& seats),& repair& of& concrete& flooring& under&
seats,& and& addition& of& aisle& lighting& and& carpeting.&
(Estimated&cost&$640,000)&
Repair& of& all& plaster& work& in& main& theatre& area&
(Estimated&cost:&$285,000)&
Miscellaneous& painting,& lighting,& and& other&
renovation&repairs&(Estimated&cost:&$100,000)&
By& completing& the& repairs& detailed& above,& we& will& be&
able& to& move& forward& with& a& community& wide& 100th&
anniversary&celebration&worthy&of&this&historic&Maryland&
landmark&and&the&crown&jewel&of&Washington&County&&&
Hagerstown.& With& your& support& and& the& support& of&
many& others,& The& Maryland& Theatre& can& continue& to&
provide& quality& entertainment& and& educational& and&
cultural& offerings& to& the& community& and& be& a& critical&
anchor& for& Hagerstown’s& downtown& core.& & We& have&
already& secured& over& $300,000& in& private& funding& for&
this&endeavor&as&well&as&support&from&local&government.&
REQUEST:)
The State assist in the renovation expenses needed
to restore this historic Maryland landmark to a
functioning level, prior to its 100th Anniversary.!
Maryland Theatre Renovations
Washington*County*Community*Coalition*
&
)
&
)
&
&
&&
Herald)Mail)–)Joe)Crocetta)Photographer)
The Maryland Theatre
Jessica Green, Executive Director
21 S. Potomac Street, Hagerstown, MD 21740
www.mdtheatre.org/ 301-790-3500 / [email protected]
University*System*of*Maryland*3*Hagerstown*
!
!
!!!
Washington*County*Community*Coalition*
!
BACKGROUND*
STUDENT*FACTS*AND*ISSUES:*
The! University! System! of!
Maryland! at! Hagerstown!
(USMH)! opened! in! January!
2005! to! provide! access! to!
higher! education! to! an!
educationally! underserved! population.! The! facility! is!
located!in!the!downtown!core!of!the!City!of!Hagerstown!in!
an! area! poised! for! revitalization.! ! Universities! within! the!
University! System! of! Maryland! bring! select! upperElevel!
undergraduate!and!graduate!programs!to!the!Hagerstown!
center.! ! Students! are! taught! by! instructors! from! the!
specific!institutions!offering!the!programs.!!USMH!is!one!of!
eight! regional! higher! education! centers! (RHEC’s)! in!
Maryland,! but! one! of! only! two! that! are! operated! by! the!
University! System! of! Maryland! (USM).! Only! universities!
within!the!USM!offer!programs!at!the!center!unless!there’s!
a!need!that!a!system!school!is!unable!to!fill.!
In! 2005,! initial! student! population! was!
comprised!mainly!of!nonEtraditional!working!
adults.!!However,!a!shift!in!the!demographic!
has! resulted! in! a! student! body! now! comprised! of!
approximately! 50%! traditional! students! and! 50%! nonE
traditional!students!–!a!sign!of!the!growing!demand!in!the!
community!for!post!secondary!education.!
FACILITY:*


*CURRENT*DATA:*



USMH!is!housed!in!a!stateEofEtheEart!facility!in!the!heart!of!
downtown! Hagerstown.! ! It! includes! four! distance!
education! interactive! video! networking! rooms,! four!
computer! labs,! three! nursing! labs,! a! fullEservice! library,! a!
groupEstudy!room,!study!alcoves!and!student!lounges.!The!
City!of!Hagerstown!purchased!the!original!building!in!1994!
for! $128,000! and! donated! the! land! and! building! to! the!
University! System! of! Maryland! to! bring! the! project! to!
downtown! in! 2005.! ! Shortly! after! opening,! the! City! built!
University! Plaza,! a! gated! park! next! door,! which! the!
university! uses! for! outside! event! space.! ! The! City!
contributed! over! $468,000! toward! this! $1.5M! park! with!
the! remainder! coming! from! State! and! Federal! Funds!
(Community! Legacy! Funds,! Community! Parks! &!
Playgrounds! Funds,! ARC! grant).! ! Recently,! to!
accommodate! growing! enrollment,! The! City! purchased!
and!renovated!an!adjacent!building!for!use!as!a!downtown!
small! business! incubator! and! overflow! classroom! and!
faculty! office! space.! ! USMH! currently! utilizes! more! than!
1/3! of! the! building.! ! The! City! spent! approximately! $400k!
on! USMH’s! portion! to! meet! the! specific! needs! of! the!
center.!
For*more*information:*
*


Programs! offered! by! six! institutions:! Frostburg! State!
Univ.;! Towson! Univ.;! Univ.! of! Maryland! University!
College;! Salisbury! Univ.;! University! of! Maryland,!
College!Park;!and!Coppin!State!University!
16!undergraduate,!8!graduate,!including!one!doctoral!
and!two!certificate!programs!!
Fall!2013!Enrollment:!496;!299!Undergraduate,!!!!197!
Graduate!
FY!2013!state!appropriation:!$1.9!million!
20! scholarships! awarded! for! Fall! 2013! from! USMH!
scholarship!fund,!each!in!the!amount!of!$2,300!
In! total,! more! than! $176,000! in! locallyEraised!
scholarships! has! been! awarded! to! 75! students! since!
USMH’s!opening!!
1,224! graduates! to! date;! May! 2013! witnessed! the! 8th!
graduation!celebration!since!USMH’s!2005!opening!
TRENDS:*


Cost! to! the! State! of! Maryland! per! FTE! has! decreased!
45%!since!FY2006!(its!first!year!at!full!funding)!
Many! online! students! are! served! through! USMH! but!
they! are! not! included! in! the! enrollment! counts.! ! For!
example,!more!than!140!MBA!students!identify!USMH!
as!their!original!site!of!enrollment!activity,!but!are!not!
included.! ! Similarly,! UMUC! provides! admissions! and!
counseling! services! to! area! online! students! through!
staff!stationed!at!USMH,!yet!those!online!enrollments!
are!not!reflected!in!USMH!statistics!either.!
ECONOMIC*DEVELOPMENT*IMPACT:*

$59.8! million! invested! in! downtown! Hagerstown!
projects! following! opening! of! USMH! (10! times! the!
level!of!investment!in!prior!decade)!!
*
Mark*C.*Halsey*
*
*
Executive*Director* *
*
Office:*240352732727* *
*
Email:*[email protected]*
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Erin*Harman*
*
Director*of*Advancement*and*Outreach,*USMH*
Office:*240352732728***
*
*
Email:*[email protected]*
*
!
Washington*Co.*–*A*Future*Area*Of*Prosperity*For*MD*
!
Washington*County*Community*Coalition*
ADVANCED*MANUFACTURING/DISTRIBUTION/LOGISTICS:*
OVERVIEW:*
!
The! State! has! created! some! great! programs! to! promote! and!
attract! high! tech! jobs,! including! technology! transfer!
opportunities! from! the! many! Federal! labs! and! agencies!
headquartered! in! Maryland.! ! However,! Washington! County,!
often! overlooked! in! these! conversations,! is! having! difficulty!
leveraging! these! federal! assets! and! the! programs! Annapolis!
designs! to! capitalize! on! them.! ! The! “Big! Seven”! jurisdictions!
along! the! II95! corridor! currently! drive! the! state’s! economic!
engine.!!!Half! of! the! state’s! economy! is! in! and! around!
Baltimore.! Another! 40! percent! comes! from! the! Washington!
suburbs.! That! means! that! the! Eastern! Shore,! Southern!
Maryland,! and! Western! Maryland! combined! make! up! only!
about! 10! percent! of! the! state’s! economy.!! Additional* support*
and*attention*is*needed*to*take*advantage*of*the*assets*these*
communities* have* to* offer* in* order* to* diversify* their*
economies* and* create* a* more* evenly* distributed* workforce*
across*Maryland.!
Washington! County! currently! provides! the! workforce! to! many!
areas! east! of! us,! but! we! want! to! also! be! attracting! some! of!
these! jobs! to! keep! our! workforce! at! home.! ! ! Our! local!
educational!institutions!have!initiated!outstanding!programs!to!
provide! our! citizens! the! education! and! skills! required! by! the!
highItech! businesses! emerging! in! Maryland! such! as! defense,!
cyberIsecurity,!biotech!industries,!green!energy,!and!advanced!
manufacturing.! ! Washington! County! is! well! positioned! to!
benefit! from! these! industries! as! well! as! growth! in! our!
traditional! trades! like! manufacturing,! aero! defense,! business!
and! financial! services,! agribusiness,! and! tourism.! We* are*
confident* we* have* the* resources,* amenities,* infrastructure,*
and* workforce* necessary* to* be* a* productive* player* in*
Maryland’s*future*prosperity.!
Washington!County!has!long!been!know!for!its!assets!related!to!
manufacturing! and! distribution.! ! Hagerstown,! known! as! the!
“Hub!City”,!is!strategically!located!at!the!crossroads!of!II70!and!
II81.!Only!an!hour!from!the!Washington/Baltimore!metro!area!
and! a! day’s! drive! from! half! of! the! nation’s! population,! we! are!
an!ideal!location!to!serve!both!the!East!Coast!and!Midwestern!
markets.!In!addition!we!have!extensive!rail!service!by!CSX!and!
Norfolk! Southern,! a! towered! airport! with! a! 7000! ft.! runway,!
and! a! new! Norfolk!
Southern!
intermodal!
facility! located! just! over!
the! Pennsylvania! line.! ! In!
total,! our! extensive! and!
diverse! transportation!
infrastructure! combined!
with!low!cost!land,!lower!
cost! of! business! and! a!
23%! lower! cost! of! living! compared! to! Baltimore/Washington!
makes!Washington!County!a!prime!location!to!grow!and!attract!
manufacturing!and!distribution!companies.!!!
Port!of!Baltimore!(P.O.B)!officials!are!projecting!growth!in!their!
activities! as! the! Panama! Canal! expands! and! larger! ships! are!
able!to!travel!through!it.!!Baltimore!is!one!of!only!two!ports!on!
the!east!coast!with!the!water!depth!necessary!to!handle!these!
larger! ships.! ! According! to! P.O.B.! officials,! companies! heavily!
dependent! on! supplies! from! these! ships! are! in! the! process! of!
evaluating!the!costs!associated!with!freight!movement!and!!the!
effects!to!their!supply!chains!resulting!from!the!need!to!dock!at!
deeper! ports! –! like! Baltimore.! With! our! vast! transportation!
infrastructure! and! strategic! location,! HagerstownIWashington!
County! can! be! a! premier! location! for! companies! interested! in!
relocating! or! building! in! areas! with! convenient! access! to!
services!provided!at!the!Port!of!Baltimore.!
REQUEST:*
The$ State$ take$ into$ account$ the$ assets$ in$ Washington$
County$that$could$be$leveraged$for$the$growing$high:tech$
industries$in$Maryland,$and$take$proactive$steps$to$assist$
us$in$diversifying$our$local$economy$to$be$more$recession:$
proof.$$In$addition,$as$new$regulations,$polices,$economic$
development$ incentives,$ and$ taxes$ are$ considered,$
evaluate$their$economic$impacts$on$our$rural$community$
so$ that$ they$ are$ beneficial$ to$ this$ endeavor.
**
Washington*Co.*–*A*Future*Area*Of*Prosperity*For*MD*
!
Washington*County*Community*Coalition*
AVIATION*TECHNOLOGY*&*AERO*DEFENSE:*
BIOTECH:*
Washington! County! and! Hagerstown! are! historical! aviation!
centers.! The! Hagerstown! Regional! Airport! (HGR)! has! been! a!
hub! of! the! aviation! business! since! before! World! War! II.!!
Consequently! there! is! an! available! workforce! with! a! strong!
background! and! training! in! aircraft! maintenance! and!
modifications.!!Aviation!and!Aero!Defense!Attributes:!
Located! an! hour! from! Washington,! DC's! biotech! corridor! and!
less! than! 30! minutes! from! our! national! biodefense! resource!
Fort! Detrick,! Washington! County! is! an! affordable! place! to! do!
business! with! close! proximity! to! local! metropolitan! areas.!!
About! 25%! of! Fort! Detrick’s! employees! live! in! Washington!
County,! MD,! and! the! activities! and! related! agencies! at! Ft!
Detrick! generate! more! than! $1.7B! in! economic! activity! in! the!
region.!
•
HGR!is!a!400Iacre!complex!within!a!secured!perimeter!with!
the!secondIlongest!public!runway!in!the!State!and!land!for!
development.! ! According! to! the! Maryland! Aviation!
Administration! Economic! Impact! Study,! HGR! generated!
more! than! $109! million! in! business! revenues! and!
supporting!a!total!of!1,338!aviationIrelated!jobs!in!2012.!
• With!stateIofItheIart!navigational!aids!and!unencumbered!
airspace! allowing! for! flexible! test! flights,! HGR! has! an!
established! defense! presence.! ! It! is! home! to! 40! defense!
and!aviation!firms!with!over!700!total!employees,!including!
Sierra! Nevada! Corporation! and! AgustaWestland! North!
America,!Inc.!
• HGR!is!a!FAR!Part!139!Certified!Airport!
• Washington! County! is! less! than! 90! minutes! from! 3! major!
airports:! Baltimore/Washington! International! Thurgood!
Marshall! (BWI),! Dulles! International! (IAD)! and! Reagan!
Washington!National!Airport!(DCA).!
• In! 2010,! the! Pittsburgh! Institute! of! Aeronautics! (PIA)!
located! an! FAAIapproved!
Aviation!
Maintenance!
Technician!
(AMT)!
education! program! at!
HGR.! With! the! skills! PIA!
graduates! acquire! from!
the! program,! they! can!
work! in! many! industries! including:! aviation,! mechanical!
systems,! hydroImechanical! systems,! and! the! green!
technology!field.!Washington!County!has!the!workforce!to!
meet!the!aviation!and!defense!industries'!needs.!
Defense!companies!and!PIA!
chose! the! area! for! the!
convergence!of!a!number!of!
critical! factors! beneficial! to!
business!
in!
the!
aviation/defense! industry.!
First,! a! lack! of! available!
hangar! space! on! the! East! Coast! made! HGR! an! obvious! choice!
with!more! than!100! acres! available! for! commercial!
development! and! available! runway! accessible! development!
sites!with!Enterprise!Zone!tax!benefits!and!Foreign!Trade!Zone!
designation.! Approximately! 500,000! square! feet! of! private!
hangar! and! industrial! space! is! available! adjacent! to! the!
airport—much!of!which!is!runway!accessible.!
*
*
Biotech!and!Life!Science!Attributes:!
•
•
•
•
•
•
Regional! life! science! community! with! more! than!
11,000!professionals!living!in!the!area!
Supportive! community! college! with! a! successful!
biotech! program! and! Fort! Detrick! internship!
agreement!
HighItech! business! incubator! with! biotech! wet! lab!
space!(4,000!sq.!ft.!of!wet!lab!space)!
Mt.! Aetna! Farms! Technology! Park! with! 175! ac! zoned!
for! Office! Research! and! TechnologyIowned! by! our!
local!industrial!foundation!(CHIEF)!
Lower!cost!of!business,!skilled!workforce!and!excellent!
quality!of!life!
Affordable! housing! options! and! one! of! MD’s! best!
public!school!systems!
!
To! support! the! increased! interest! and! growth! in! the! program,!
HCC! constructed! a! new! $35! million! Science,! Technology,!
Engineering,!and!Math!(STEM)!building!in!2012.!In!addition,!the!
college!is!using!grants!from!the!National!Science!Foundation!as!
well!as!BRAC!to!accelerate!the!development!of!a!biotechnology!
educational!path!that!exposes!high!school!students!to!collegeI
level!biotech!opportunities.!
Our!biotechnology!educational!path!includes!the!InnovaBioIMD!
program,! a! stateIofItheIart! biotechnology! research! and!
internship! program.! ! This! program! collaborates! with! Fort!
Detrick! research! agencies! and! private! biotech! firms! to! engage!
students!in!actual!research!projects!on!the!HCC!campus.!These!
efforts! will! help! MD! keep! pace! with! the! predicted! workforce!
development!needs!accompanying!highItech!industry!growth.!
Washington*Co.*–*A*Future*Area*Of*Prosperity*For*MD*
!
Washington*County*Community*Coalition*
INFORMATION*TECHNOLOGY/CYBERSECURITY:*
•
Cybersecurity! has! emerged! as! a! primary! focus! for! national!
defense,! business,! and! health! care.! ! Job! opportunities! are!
expected! to! grow! exponentially,! and! the! need! for! a! wellI
trained! national! workforce! is! in! high! demand.! ! While! the!
Baltimore/Washington! region! has! been! targeted! to! capitalize!
on!this!growing!industry,!Washington!County!could!also!use!its!
assets!to!provide!an!area!of!opportunity!for!Maryland!for!cyber!
training,!workforce!development,!and!job!attraction.!
HCC’s! new! 65,000! square! foot! Science,! Technology,!
Engineering,! and! Math! (STEM)! building,! completed! in!
January!2012,!offers!state!of!the!art!cybersecurity!training!
labs! that! leverage! DoD! training! needs! and! protocols.! ! In!
addition,! HCC’s! has! an! on! site! business! incubator! that!
provides!space!for!research!laboratories.!
WASHINGTON*COUNTY*ADVANTAGES:!
•
Washington! County,! approximately! 70! miles! from! the!
Baltimore/Washington! region,! has! an! extensive!
transportation! network! (highway,! rail,! and! towered!
airport),! low! cost! land! opportunities,! and! offers! security!
for! companies! desiring! to! be! located! just! outside! of! the!
blast!zone!of!the!Baltimore/Washington!region.!
•
A! parcel! of! land,! approximately! 175! acres,! is! zoned! for!
office! research! and! technology! development! and! offers!
unique! possibilities! as! its! located! between! Hagerstown!
Community!College!(HCC)!and!our!regional!medical!center.!
CHIEF,! our! notIforIprofit! industrial! foundation! will! be!
developing!this!land!known!as!Mt.!Aetna!Technology!Park!
of! Hagerstown! (MATH).! CHIEF! has! agreed! to! prioritize!
development! for! growing! hiItech! industries! and! is! able! to!
make!land!available!at!below!market!rates!as!an!incentive!
to!attract!hiItech!companies!and!jobs!to!our!community.!
•
HCC!also!has!329!acres,!most!of!which!is!undeveloped,!that!
could! also! be! used! for! innovative! public! private!
partnerships! in! cybersecurity.! ! In! the! last! few! years,! over!
$1! million! in! Appalachian! Regional! Commission! grant!
funding!has!been!dedicated!to!create!a!second!access!road!
to!the!college!and!open!up!MATH!for!development.!
!
•
HCC!launched!the!first!STEM!middle!college!high!school!in!
Western! Maryland! in! 2013I2014! to! serve! as! a! feeder! for!
cyber! programs,! ensuring! that! enrollments! continue! to!
grow! quickly.! ! Enrollment! in! cyber! classes! already! grew!
26%!from!FY!11!to!FY!12.!!!
•
Johns* Hopkins* University’s* Information* Security* Institute!
has! agreed! to! forge! a! formal! partnership! with! HCC! in!
cybersecurityIrelated!education.!!Johns!Hopkins!University,!
widely!recognized!as!a!worldIclass!university,!has!some!of!
the! best! graduateIlevel! cybersecurity! training! programs!
available!and!is!engaged!in!some!of!the!most!extensive!and!
significant! cybersecurityIrelated! research! in! the! world.!!
The!partnership!is!to!begin!the!Spring!of!2014.!
•
Hagerstown! Community! College! was! one! of! the! first! six!
twoIyear!colleges!in!the!nation!to!achieve!designation!as!a!
Center! of! Excellence! for! Information! Assurance! for! TwoI
Year! Education.! ! This! is! an! honor! granted! by! the! National!
Security! Agency! (NSA)! and! the! Department! of! Homeland!
Security! (DHS)! with! the! support! of! the! National! Science!
Foundation!(NSF).!HCC!has!mapped!to!federal!standards!to!
provide! industryIrecognized! certifications! and! has!
constructed! a! penetration! testing! lab! as! well! as! a! virtual!
environment!for!cybersecurityIrelated!instruction.!!
REQUEST:*
The$State$considers$the$assets$in$Washington$County$
that$could$be$leveraged$for$the$growing$cybersecurity$
industries$in$Maryland.!
WASHINGTON COUNTY
COMMUNITY COALITION
Hagerstown-Washington County Chamber of Commerce
Washington County Government
City of Hagerstown
The Greater Hagerstown Committee
CHIEF
Washington County Public Schools
Washington County Free Library
Hagerstown-Washington County Convention
& Visitors Bureau
with Leadership Washington County
Cordially invites the
Maryland General Assembly Members
To a
Legislative Reception
at
Governor Calvert House
Thursday, January 30th
4:00 pm ~ 7:30 pm
For information please contact
Brien Poffenberger ~ 301.606.3701
Mike Johansen ~ 410.269.5066
[email protected]