Van Hollen, Alsobrooks Visit Kent, Queen Anne’s to Highlight Federal Investments Secured for Local Communities

On Friday, February 27, U.S. Senators Chris Van Hollen and Angela Alsobrooks (both D-Md.) visited Kent and Queen Anne's Counties to highlight two investments they worked to secure, totaling over $1 million for local public safety and community resource initiatives. This funding is part of the over $17,000,000 in fiscal year 2026 Congressionally Directed Spending that the Senators fought to deliver for the two counties. On Friday, Senator Van Hollen also toured the Benedictine School for Exceptional Children in Caroline County to view progress on the school's renovations, supported by fiscal year 2024 Congressional Directed Spending that Team Maryland worked to secure.

"From strengthening emergency response capabilities in Kent County to investing in a new town meeting space in Barclay, we worked to deliver these targeted federal investments to support our communities. It was great joining our partners to launch two projects and to see progress following our earlier efforts to fund renovations at the Benedictine School. It's clear these investments will continue to make a difference in the lives of Marylanders in Kent, Queen Anne's, and Caroline Counties," said Senator Van Hollen, a member of the Senate Appropriations Committee.

"I had a great time in Kent County and Queen Anne's County sharing with Marylanders the investments Senator Van Hollen and I have secured for their counties. This is a task I take very seriously; in fact, it's what I was sent to Washington to do - deliver for Marylanders and make critical investments like the ones we shared today in emergency services and upgraded facilities like the Town of Barclay's new community center and town hall," said Senator Alsobrooks.

The Senators first visited the Kent County Emergency Medical Services Headquarters to highlight $45,000 in federal funding they secured to purchase and install a backup emergency power generator, ensuring that power loss or disruption events do not interrupt the continuity of local emergency services. This funding is part of the $14,245,000 in total FY26 Congressionally Directed Spending the Senators secured for projects across Kent County.

"Our EMS operations provide a critical lifeline to residents across Kent County. These funds aren't just for a building; they are an investment in the safety and peace of mind of the residents in our community. By strengthening the disaster resiliency of our EMS Headquarters, we are ensuring that when our residents need help, our first responders have the ability and state-of-the-art infrastructure to arrive quickly and save lives. We thank our Senators for their partnership in strengthening our local emergency response network," said Kent County Commissioners President Ronald Fithian.

Later, they were joined by leaders from the Town of Barclay and Queen Anne's County to highlight $1,044,000 in direct federal funding they secured to support the construction of a new community center and town hall. This funding is part of the $3,181,000 in total FY26 Congressionally Directed Spending the Senators secured for projects across Queen Anne's.

"Barclay is grateful for the support and funding of the project and it will be an asset to our Community," said Barclay Commission President Norman Clough.

Senator Van Hollen ended the day in Caroline County, touring the Benedictine School for Exceptional Children and meeting with students and faculty. In Fiscal Year 2024, the Senator helped secure $1,800,000 in Congressionally Directed Spending to renovate the outdated living areas and health facilities to better suit the needs of students and their families. During the visit, he viewed the school and the facilities under construction and received an update on the school's ongoing work serving Marylanders with intellectual disabilities.

"We would like to thank Senator Van Hollen for taking the time to visit and tour our campus. We greatly appreciate his dedication to our community, and were proud to share the progress on our new student residential hall," said Scott Evans, Executive Director of the Benedictine School for Exceptional Children.

The total FY26 Congressionally Directed Spending secured for Kent County is as follows:

Project Name: Kent County EMS Headquarters Enhancement Project
Applicant:?Kent County Board of County Commissioners
Project Description:?Funds will support the purchase and installation of a backup emergency power generator for the Kent County emergency medical service headquarters, ensuring that power loss or disruption events do not interrupt the continuity of emergency services provided to Kent County residents.
Project Location:?Kent County
Amount Included:?$45,000

Project Name: Kent County for Millington Wastewater Treatment Plant
Applicant:?Kent County Board of County Commissioners
Project Description:?Funds will support construction of a new, relocated Wastewater Treatment Plant serving the town of Millington. The existing plant is aging and needs to be relocated from? a floodplain, where there is risk of environmental damage.
Project Location:?Kent County
Amount Included:?$6,200,000

Project Name: Enhancing Eastern Shore Freight Rail Growth and Reliability Project
Applicant: Maryland Department of Transportation
Project Description: Funds will be used for improvements to the Centreville and Chestertown freight rail lines in Kent and Queen Anne's Counties. Several businesses on the Eastern Shore rely on these rail lines. Functioning freight rail lines will help reduce the number of trucks on the roads.
Project Location: Kent County, Queen Anne's County
Amount Included: $8,000,000

The total FY26 Congressionally Directed Spending secured for Queen Anne's County is as follows:

Project Name: Town of Barclay Community Center and Town Hall
Applicant:?Town of Barclay
Project Description:?Funds will support construction of a community center and town hall to increase access to resources and information for residents and visitors.
Project Location:?Queen Anne's County
Amount Included:?$1,044,000

Project Name: Rural Healthcare Technology for Workforce Development
Applicant: Chesapeake College
Project Description: Funds will be used to upgrade equipment for Chesapeake College's Health Professions program so students can receive practical, hands-on training that will make them competitive for in-demand jobs that address regional rural health needs.
Project Location: Queen Anne's County
Amount Included: $721,000

Project Name: Thompson Creek Connector Road & Trail Extension
Applicant: Queen Anne's County Commissioners
Project Description: Funds will be used for the design, engineering, permitting, &construction of the Thompson Creek Connector Road & Trail Extensions on MD Route 8. The new roadway in Stevensville will have an adjacent pedestrian &bicycle trail to improve safety and reduce congestion around the US50/301 interchange.
Project Location: Queen Anne's County
Amount Included: $1,416,000