Press Release

August 17, 2009
CARDIN, MIKULSKI ANNOUNCE $30,000 TO REHABILITATE HANCOCK COMMUNITY CENTER
Center will be used for book and drama clubs, Boy and Girl Scout meetings


WASHINGTON, D.C. –
U.S.
Senators Benjamin L. Cardin

and
Barbara A. Mikulski (both D-Md.)
today announced the Appalachian Regional Commission (ARC) has awarded
a $60,000 grant to the City of Hancock, Maryland. The grant will be used to rehabilitate a community center to provide young people with social, recreational and educational programming like Boy and Girl Scouts.


“Every child should have ample opportunities to learn and play and grow in a safe environment with solid facilities to help foster such development. I proudly will continue to promote federal investments like this, which will pay dividends for the students and families of Washington County for years to come,”
Senator Cardin said.



 



 “This federal funding is an investment in improving the lives of Maryland children and giving them the opportunity for a bright future,”
Senator Mikulski said. “These funds will help provide a safe community center where they can gather to learn and play. I will keep fighting for federal investments like this for the families of Hancock and communities across Washington County.”



 


The Washington County Community Partnership for Children & Families will use these ARC funds to repair the floor and install HVAC, lighting and sound equipment in the Hancock Community Center. The facility will be used as a year-round youth activity center and programming will include book clubs, drama clubs, Boy Scouts, Girl Scouts, substance abuse prevention, literacy programs and tobacco cessation assistance.



 


At 16.8 percent, Hancock’s poverty rate is nearly twice as high as the state rate. About 230 of the 589 children enrolled in the Hancock’s school system live in households at or below the poverty level.



Local sources will provide $29,889 and other federal funding will provide an additional $50,000, bringing the total funding for the project to $109,889. The ARC is a federal-state partnership that works with the people of Appalachia to create opportunities for self-sustaining economic development and improved quality of life.

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