(3/2024) From the first signs of Spring to the start of Daylight Savings Time, March is full of new beginnings. As we transition from winter to spring this month, I look forward to celebrating Women’s History Month with Frederick County Commission for Women’s annual Raving About Women event and following the excitement of March Madness. (Go, Mount!)
During my State of the County address, I was excited to announce several developments underway to strengthen our local economy and essential industries. Those programs are now rolling out. In February, we announced our newly created Office of Agriculture, an apprenticeship program in county government, and our plans for sustainable transportation.
Office of Agriculture
I was thrilled to celebrate the launch of Frederick County’s first-ever Office of Agriculture last month. We are strengthening support for our rich and essential agriculture industry by combining the County’s agriculture land preservation and economic development functions.
Through the creation of the Office of Agriculture, we are making services easier to access and creating more opportunities for collaboration with our farms and our farmers. We have more young producers than any other county in Maryland, and it is my goal to ensure farming remains an important part of Frederick County’s bright future.
I am excited to share that the Office of Agriculture is being led by Katie Stevens, who provides tremendous support to the farming community and is deeply dedicated to its future. Katie leads a team of existing employees to manage our award-winning Agriculture Innovation Grants initiative, the agriculture land preservation programs, and the HomegrownFrederick.com website. One of the first tasks for the new office will be to update the County’s Agricultural Strategic Plan, which was last published in 2008. To learn more about the Office of Agriculture, visit FrederickCountyMD.gov/Agriculture.
County Apprenticeship Program
Youth apprenticeships have been part of a national conversation because of the need to build talent pipelines. I am proud that Frederick County Government has recognized the importance of bringing our youth into county government by creating opportunities with our County-wide youth apprenticeship program.
The program incorporates a diverse range of industries in multiple divisions, with opportunities for students in many of our career pathways. Apprenticeships are being utilized in customer assistance; trades such as carpentry, HVAC, and vehicle repair; and specialized County services. Participating divisions include Public Works, Transit, Animal Control, Procurement and Contracting, Economic Opportunity, Human Resources, Planning and Permitting, Family Services, Water and Sewer Utilities, and Parks and Recreation.
The County’s apprenticeship program helps us to meet requirements of the Blueprint for Maryland’s Future education reform plan, which emphasizes the importance of college and career readiness. Statewide, apprenticeship programs continue to receive praise for ushering new talent to the job market, affirming the opportunities ahead for Frederick County Government.
The county-wide apprenticeship program presents Frederick County students the opportunity to serve their community and get paid while refining employment skills.
Sustainable Transportation
As our transportation infrastructure evolves, it is imperative that we accelerate our climate resiliency. During Mobilize Frederick County’s Annual Climate Summit, I announced two new initiatives by the Division of Energy and Environment to speed up the use of electric vehicles by the County and the public. The Alternative Fuel Vehicle Fleet Transition Plan for County Government and the Community-wide Electric Vehicle Readiness Plan will guide the County as we transition toward sustainable transportation.
Our goal is to ensure a resilient future for Frederick County’s businesses and residents. Transportation accounts for about 48% of all greenhouse gas emissions that contribute to climate change, according to data from across Frederick County. We heard from our Transition Team and from the broader community as part of the Livable Frederick Master Plan that residents want to create more sustainable ways of moving people and goods. These new plans will guide us as we shape our future transportation system.
The need for action was accentuated when Governor Wes Moore announced that car manufacturers would be required to increase the share of electric vehicles they sell, reaching 100% of passenger car and light truck sales by 2035. By preparing now for a shift to EVs, Frederick County will be well-positioned to leverage federal and state funding to invest in infrastructure and resilience projects.
This work has already begun within Frederick County Government's operations. Staff from across our divisions assessed which county vehicles were suitable for replacement with EVs or adoption of biodiesel. The process examined existing vehicle technology, the kinds of tasks each vehicle performs, and the total cost of vehicle ownership. The resulting Alternative Fuel Vehicle Fleet Transition Plan shows it is possible to reduce greenhouse gas emissions from the transportation sector while lowering long-term fleet costs. To learn more about the Division of Energy and Environment’s diverse array of programs and their commitment to balancing social justice, economic growth, and environmental care, please follow their work on Facebook and Instagram @SustainableFCMD.
