Funding for Route 15, hotel conference center included in Gov. Moore’s budget

The City of F re derick is excited to support Gov. Wes Moo re 's budget, re leased Wednesday, which includes significant investments in initiatives critical to the City's growth and prosperity.

The governor's proposed budget allocate s $7.4 million to advance the design and construction of Route 15, a crucial infrastructu re project t h at will enhance F re derick's connectivity and support economic devel o pment in the re gion. This will be a major step forward in improving the transportation network, re ducing traffic congestion, and ensuring safer travel for both our re si dents and visitors alike. T he budget also proposes $7.5 million for the Downtown Hotel and Confe re nce Center project, which will drive tourism to the City and grow the local econom y and includes the RAISE Act, aimed at expand ing access to app re nticeships and workforce development across the state. In addition to Route 15 funding and the hotel and confe re nce center, the governor's budget inclu des the RAISE Act, which aims to expand app re nticeships and workforce development across the state.

"This is a bold budget that truly works for the residents of Frederick and invests in our shared priorities," said Mayor Michael O'Connor. "Improvements to Rout e 15 has been the City's top transportation priority for more than 20 years, and this investment is critical to improving infrastructure and enhancing public safety. By investing in Route 15's development and the downtown hotel and conference center, the Governor and his administration are demonstrating the i r commitment to infrastructure, economic development and the long-term vitality of Frederick and the State of Maryland. These investments reflect our collective vision of making Frederick a better place to live, work, and visit."

The Downtown Hotel and Confe re nce Center project has been a cornerstone of the City's economic development strategy, promising to drive tourism, c re ate jobs, and support local businesses. Richard Griffin, Di re ctor of Economic Development, exp re ssed his enthusiasm for the inclusion of funding in the governor's budget : "This funding is a testament to the Governor's commitment to transforming Downtown F re derick into an even mo re vibrant economic hub. The Downtown Hotel and Confe re nce Center is a game-changer for our community, and we' re thrilled to see the project moving forward with this support."

The Governor's budget also prioritizes improvements for Route 15, addressing a critical infrastructure need that will improve traffic flow and enhance safety.

In addition to infrastructu re and economic development, the Governor's focus on workforce development through the RAISE Act aligns closely with F re derick's vision of opportunity for all. Through our work in the G ood Jobs, G re at Cities academy with National League of Cities, The City of F re derick has implemented app re nticeships throughout the City government and looks forward to c re ating mo re oppo rtunities for our young people to develop and be re ady to enter a 21 st century workforce. Ericka Rohrbaugh, Manager of Opportunity and Transformation, emphasized the importance of this commitment: "The Governor's investment in workforce development affirms our sha re d dedication , and is a critical step in supporting our ongoing initiatives to build pathways to good jobs. By inc re asing access to app re nticeships, we' r e building a mo re skilled, re si lient workforce that will drive long-term economic growth and opportunity for our enti re community. "