County Executive Fitzwater Declares Strong State of County

EMMITSBURG, Md. - This evening, in her third State of the County Address, County Executive Jessica Fitzwater celebrated the values and people that make our community unique and declared that the state of the County is strong.

"In Frederick County, we bring people together and have honest - and sometimes hard - conversations. We develop thoughtful solutions, and we make decisions designed to meet people's needs. This isn't the easiest way to govern, but it is the best way to make the right decisions and build the public's trust in our government," County Executive Fitzwater said. "Most importantly, it is our way - the Frederick County Way. And I am proud to report that, because we do things the Frederick County Way, the state of our county is strong."

County Executive Fitzwater highlighted stories that demonstrate inclusion and collaboration in public service, ranging from the contributions of volunteer fire companies and civic associations to innovating partnerships to help our neighbors who are struggling to make ends meet.

During her address, she made three policy announcements:

• Frederick County is moving forward with the development of a seven-acre site adjacent to the Prospect Center on Himes Avenue in Frederick, which will bring nearly 150 affordable and deeply affordable homes at a location adjacent to the County's future hub for health, aging, and family services;
• Frederick County will hold listening sessions in Adamstown and Frederick after the Council finishes work on the overlay in order to gather ideas about what community benefits residents want to see associated with the data center development at the East Alcoa site; and
• The Frederick County Health Department (FCHD) will offer free sanitary surveys of wells of Adamstown residents who have raised concerns to FCHD about their water quality, and to those residents' immediate neighbors.

County Executive Fitzwater closed her address by reaffirming her commitment to the Livable Frederick vision of a vibrant and unique community where all people live, work, and thrive while enjoying a strong sense of place and belonging. She said: "Everyone is welcome here, and our government will continue to do its best to meet everyone's needs and respect everyone's lived experiences."

The full 2025 State of the County Address will air on FCG TV. The video also will be available for viewing at www.FrederickCountyMD.gov/FCGTV and on Frederick County Government's YouTube channel at www.YouTube.com/FrederickCountyMD.

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CONTACT: Vivian Laxton
Communications Director
Office of Communications & Public Engagement
301-600-1315