(6/2020) June has arrived, bringing with it warmer weather and a longing for summertime. In the midst of this health pandemic, we are looking at a very different summer, with normal activities either closed or modified. But that doesn’t mean we should not make the best of it and enjoy what nature and Frederick County has to offer.

In the coming weeks, as more businesses and activities begin to re-open, it will be time for all of us to do our part and show our love for each other so we can all enjoy some additional activities while keeping our seniors and people with underlying health issues safe.

That’s why I am kicking off a new campaign called #LoveFrederick! #LoveFrederick is about showing the love for others by wearing a face covering and physical distancing when not at home. Our faith leaders can put action behind the message to love your neighbor, by showing the love for our seniors and vulnerable residents through the continuing of online worship for congregants who are safer at home. Our business owners can #LoveFrederick by showing love by modifying the work environment to keep employees and customers safe. Doing all of these together, we show love for our healthcare workers who demonstrate love each and every day when they are care for others while risking their own personal health. So take the challenge, show the love, and #LoveFrederick! You can post how you #LoveFrederick on Facebook, Instagram or twitter. Just do it! Show some love for your friends and neighbors. That’s what makes Frederick County special.

Coronavirus Data Dashboard

Stay informed and know the facts about the Coronavirus in Frederick County. I am pleased to share a new easy-to-use dashboard for the public to track local COVID-19 statistics and health metrics. The dashboard includes charts and data, which are updated daily with Frederick County numbers related to positive confirmed cases, tests with negative results, deaths, and people released from isolation.

You can also see a breakdown of cases by ZIP code, and can track the number of ICU and acute care hospital beds, as well as the number of ventilators in use by COVID patients at Frederick Health Hospital. Statistics on nursing homes are updated each week.

Staff from the County’s Interagency Information Technologies Division and Health Department created the dashboard to be transparent and provide the public with a reliable source of information. You can find the dashboard at www.FrederickCountyMD.gov/covidstats.

You can also watch my public briefings for additional statistic, health metrics, and other impacts of the virus on Frederick County. All briefings can be viewed at FrederickCountyMD.gov/FCGTV.

Jump Start business grants

Small businesses and agriculture are the backbone of our community. That’s why I am excited to offer a new grant program called Jump Start to help our farmers and small businesses so they can return to thriving. We are offering $5 million through three grant opportunities:

Full-Time Farmers – Farmers who qualify can receive $6,000 in one-time funds. Full-time farmers qualify if they earned the majority of their income from farming over the past two years.

Small Businesses – Businesses with between 10 and 50 employees and who have physical commercial space can receive $10,000 in one-time funds. Businesses can be for-profit or nonprofit.

Micro Business – Businesses with up to nine employees can receive $3,300 in one-time funds. Employees can be W-2 or 1099 employees of a for-profit or nonprofit business, including sole proprietors. Micro businesses must have physical commercial space to qualify.

Grant funds can be used to reimburse costs incurred from having business interrupted by COVID-19.

The county’s Office of Economic Development is accepting applications through 11:59 p.m. on Friday, June 5. For more details and answers to common question, and to apply for a grant, go to FrederickCountyMD.gov/JumpStart.

We hope to be able to announce grants as soon as June 10. Our farms and small businesses provide great products and services, and they provide jobs to people who live here and contribute to our community. I am excited to be able to help jump start our economy and support our local businesses.

Budget News

The Frederick County Council recently adopted the FY21 budget for the upcoming fiscal year that begins on July 1. The health crisis has also created an economic crisis, with many businesses shut down or with modified operations, and this has impacted the county budget.

Frederick County Government during my administration has consistently adopted a conservative budget and we have saved money for a rainy day. County reserves, or the rainy day fund, are in the best position in the county history with over $50 million in reserves and another $20 million in fund balance.

And like you do with your budget at home, Frederick County lives within its means. The budget includes absolutely no increase in tax rates. Property tax and income tax rates remain the same as they have for the past 6 years. The budget ensures the delivery of essential services but adds no new staff or initiatives.

The County has continued to provide essential services during the health pandemic. Public safety staff, who make up half of all county employees, remain on the job. You can count on other essential services, too, like water and sewer service, trash disposal and recycling, permits, transit, and we have expanded the delivery of food to our seniors and others.

The coronavirus will be with us until there is a vaccine. As we adjust to living and working in a new environment, it is important to do your part. Stay home as much as possible. Wear a face covering and physical distance when out and about, practice good hygiene, and take precautions to protect the elderly and vulnerable members of your family as well as your neighbors. People over 70 and people with underlying health conditions including asthma, COPD, respiratory or heart issues, diabetes, and more should continue to stay home and let others get your groceries and other essential needs.

Do your part and remember to #LoveFrederick!