WASHINGTON – U.S. Senators Ben Cardin and Barbara A. Mikulski (both D-MD) today applauded a $600,000 Appalachian Regional Commission (ARC) grant to Washington County to construct an access road to the Mt. Aetna Farm Technology Park. Construction of the road will open approximately 173-acres of the Technology Park for development and attract emerging technology businesses to Washington County. County officials expect the project to create approximately 2,000 new jobs over the next 15 years.
“This federal funding will help bring Maryland’s thriving biotechnology, cyber security and other high-tech industries to Washington County,” said Senator Cardin. “Technology is the key to success in today’s economy, and ensuring access to Mt. Aetna Farm Technology Park will bring new, 21st Century jobs to Washington County residents.”
“I’m so proud that these funds will help the region build the infrastructure it needs to attract new high-tech businesses, jobs and economic development to Washington County,” Senator Mikulski said. “I will continue to fight for federal grants like these that invest in Maryland communities and future economic opportunities.”
The ARC funds will be used to build .87 mile of roadway extending Yale Drive from its current terminus point across the mid-portion of Mt. Aetna Farm Technology Park, providing extensive commercial development opportunities to the Mt. Aetna Farm property. The technology park is strategically located between Hagerstown Community College (HCC) and the new Meritus Regional Medical Center. The road will also connect to Scholar Drive on the campus of HCC, giving the community college a much-needed additional access point.
The Maryland State Highway Administration will administer the project and the Federal Highway Administration will serve as the basic federal agency for the project. In addition to ARC funds, Washington County will provide $5,674,350 to the project with an estimated total project cost of $6,274,350.
###
