(7/2025) Division of Solid Waste & Recycling Announces Service and Infrastructure Changes

The Frederick County Division of Solid Waste and Recycling is launching new infrastructure and service changes beginning July 1. This new infrastructure will include state-of-the-art management software, processing upgrades, and new services, including a more robust lithium-ion battery recycling program and the expansion of our textile recycling program with drop-off bins.

"These much-needed upgrades further improve our Integrated Solid Waste efforts. For the first time, we will have an online payment portal, more advanced operations monitoring, upgraded automated workflows, and data to help improve our programs," said Lee Zimmerman, Director of the Division of Solid Waste and Recycling. "While making these improvements, we identified some much-needed changes in fee structure, items collected, and services."

Beginning July 1, residential and commercial customers will see the following changes:

• A $10 Minimum rate for all transactions, including the Citizens ' Convenience Center. After this rate is met, the posted tipping fee will be assed per 20 pounds. All transactions at the scale house will follow this new pricing structure, whether the customer pays by card, cash, or check.
   
• Due to misuse in the yard waste program, residential and commercial customers will pay $25 per ton to drop off yard waste. People who live in Frederick County will be allowed to bring up to five 30-gallon paper yard waste bags to the recycling center per day.
   
• People who live in the County can drop off dry, non-moldy textiles at no cost during regular hours at our Recycling Center, including shirts, pants, shorts, undergarments, and bedding.
   
• Lithium-ion batteries of any size and any quantity that are removable and unattached will be accepted at our recycling center at no cost. Batteries within items such as laptops will be categorized as electronic recycling.

For more information on the above changes, please visit www.FrederickCountyMD.gov/FacilityChanges2025. For questions about trash service, please contact your trash hauler, homeowners association, or municipality directly.

The Frederick County Division of Solid Waste and Recycling provides integrated waste management for the County and its residents with waste reduction, recycling, and disposal programs. More information on these and associated events can be found by calling 301-600-2960 and online at www.FrederickCountyMD.gov under "Departments."

Frederick County Division of Parks and Recreation Opens Grant Program for Community Projects

Nonprofit community groups looking to improve or build new recreational spaces are encouraged to apply for the Division of Parks and Recreation’s Fiscal Year 2026 Community Grant Program. In partnership with the Frederick County Parks and Recreation Commission, this grant program provides funds to eligible organizations for recreational facilities for people who live in the County.

Organizations may apply between June 2 and August 15, 2025. Groups that can apply include homeowners’ associations, civic and community organizations, service clubs, sports leagues, and recreation councils. A budget of $100,000 has been approved for the Fiscal Year 2026 Community Grants and each applicant may ask for up to $25,000.

Grants can be used to improve existing or build new recreation areas, however grants cannot be used for regular maintenance. For example, funds could be used to demolish and replace a playground, but not for maintenance of that playground.

The land where the recreation area is located must be owned or used by the organization. Grants cannot be used for projects on federal, state, municipal, or county-owned land. Grant funds will be provided before the project construction and can help pay for materials, equipment, and hired workers. Groups can also use volunteers to help with building.

Projects must be completed, and all Community Grant Closeout documents must be submitted to the Division of Parks and Recreation within two years of the award year. For Fiscal Year 2026 grants, this deadline will be June 30, 2027.

To learn more about the Community Grant Program and to see if your organization’s project can qualify, visit www.Recreater.com/CommunityGrant. Applications must be submitted online by August 15. Preliminary grant funding decisions will be shared in October.

Frederick County Launches Livable Frederick Dashboard

Members of the public can now track Livable Frederick goals through a newly launched online dashboard. This tool allows users to see how the County and its partners are making progress on implementing Livable Frederick.

"The new online dashboard makes Livable Frederick more transparent, measurable, and collaborative," said Deborah Carpenter, Division of Planning and Permitting Director. "We encourage the public to explore the dashboard to see how Frederick County is turning our shared vision into action."

Livable Frederick is Frederick County’s Master Plan. It lays out a vision for the future of Frederick County’s families, neighborhoods, and overall community. The plan includes actions designed to create a vibrant and unique community where people live, work, and thrive while enjoying a strong sense of place and belonging. The plan was adopted in 2019 after a multi-year public outreach process.

The Livable Frederick dashboard is organized around four themes: Our Community, Our Health, Our Economy, and Our Environment. Users can click on each theme to see overall goals and specific initiatives designed to help achieve each goal. Completion scores and explanations are provided to track the progress of the goals and initiatives.

The dashboard will be updated regularly as the County makes progress on plan implementation. The public is also invited to share their thoughts and ideas by emailing LivableFrederick@FrederickCountyMD.gov.

To learn more and access the new Livable Frederick Dashboard, visit FrederickCountyMD.gov/LFDashboard.

Office of Agriculture Unveils 2025 Edition of Homegrown Frederick Magazine

The Frederick County Office of Agriculture has proudly released the latest issue of Homegrown Frederick, the County’s premier agricultural magazine dedicated to showcasing the people, businesses, and products that drive our vibrant agricultural community. Now in its twelfth year, the Homegrown Frederick magazine is a product of a longstanding partnership with Frederick Magazine.

"Our agricultural community is full of hardworking, passionate individuals who make Frederick County such a special place," said Office of Agriculture Director, Katie Stevens. "This magazine is a celebration of their stories and the vital role they play in our local economy and quality of life."

The 2025 edition features inspiring stories on unique non-alcoholic craft beverages, women in agriculture, agricultural education in local schools, and innovative farming projects. From multi-generational family farms to emerging enterprises, Homegrown Frederick paints a vivid picture our community’s deep-rooted agricultural heritage and forward-thinking vision.

Over the years, the Homegrown Frederick brand has grown in recognition and continues to serve as a trusted resource for the community. One of its most valuable features is the comprehensive directory, which helps consumers easily locate where to buy their favorite farm-fresh products. From Frederick County farmers markets and community-supported agriculture programs to local craft beverage businesses and more, the magazine offers a wide range of opportunities to support and enjoy local agriculture.

Whether you’re a lifelong resident or a curious newcomer, Homegrown Frederick offers an inside look at the people growing your food, crafting your beverages, and caring for our land.

Want a copy? Call the Frederick County Office of Agriculture at 301-600-3039 or email FCAG@FrederickCountyMD.gov to request copies for yourself, your market, or your business. A digital version of the publication is also available at www.HomegrownFrederick.com.

Community Development Block Grant Consolidated Plan

Members of the public are invited to review and comment on Frederick County’s first Community Development Block Grant Consolidated Plan covering Federal Fiscal Years 2025-2027, along with the 2025 Annual Action Plan.

Last year, the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development designated Frederick County as an urban county eligible to receive yearly federal funds through the Community Development Block Grant Program. These funds help make communities stronger by supporting housing, local services, and other community projects. The Consolidated Plan is a three-year plan that outlines a strategy to address housing and community development needs, sets goals, and explains how the funds will be used to help low- and moderate-income residents.

The public comment period will remain open through the close of business on Monday, July 14, 2025. Residents are encouraged to review the draft plans and provide their feedback.

An in-person and virtual public hearing will be held by the County Council on Tuesday, July 1, 2025, at 5:30 p.m. in the First Floor Hearing Room of Winchester Hall, 12 East Church Street in Frederick, MD. The purpose of the hearing is to gather the public’s feedback on the proposed plans. Members of the public will be given an opportunity to voice their opinions, with each speaker allotted three minutes to provide comments.

To view the draft plan, visit www.FrederickCountyMD.gov/Housing. For more information or to submit comments, please contact Susan Brown, Director of Operations – Community Programs, Division of Housing, by phone at 301-600-3530 or via email at SBrown@FrederickCountyMD.gov.

Fitzwater Freezes Applications for Data Centers During Legislative Process

Frederick County Executive Jessica Fitzwater issued an executive order on June 11 that temporarily prevents the consideration of any new applications for data centers. The order also applies to electrical substations that support data centers.

The order is designed to prevent further development of data centers before new standards become law and while the County Council considers zoning regulations. On May 20, the Frederick County Council approved Bill 25-05, which created stricter design requirements for critical digital infrastructure facilities and substations. A separate bill to limit the construction of these facilities to the area around the old East Alcoa property north of Adamstown was announced at a May 6 press conference with Executive Fitzwater and all seven members of the Council. The overlay bill was discussed at the May 27 Council workshop and will be introduced on June 17.

"Members of the County Council and the public voiced concerns about developers rushing data center applications into the process before stronger regulations can be put in place," County Executive Fitzwater said. "This temporary pause directly addresses those concerns by giving the Council time to act and giving the community peace of mind about the process."

Executive Order 03-2025 can be found online at www.FrederickCountyMD.gov.

"Voices of Affordable Housing" Video Series

The Affordable Housing Council of Frederick County is excited to announce the release of a groundbreaking video series titled "Voices of Affordable Housing." This initiative aims to raise awareness about housing challenges in Frederick County and provide educational resources to those in need.

"By launching the 'Voices of Affordable Housing' video series, we hope to shine a light on the pressing housing challenges in our community and to provide valuable resources to those who need them most," said Hugh Gordon, Chair of the Affordable Housing Council. "We believe that by bringing together stories from our neighbors and insights from local leaders, we can foster greater understanding and support for affordable housing initiatives."

The "Voices of Affordable Housing" series includes four short videos that cover the key topics of homelessness, rental assistance, affordable housing, and senior housing. The videos feature insights from executive directors, leaders of local nonprofit organizations, and personal stories from clients— providing a comprehensive overview of the housing challenges faced by many in the community.

The videos are available for viewing on Frederick County’s YouTube channel and on various websites, including the Affordable Housing Council, the County's Division of Housing, and the City of Frederick's Department of Housing and Human Services. The videos will also air periodically on FCG TV (Comcast channels 1072 and 19).

Housing and human services nonprofits, government agencies, healthcare organizations, libraries, police departments, mental health agencies, churches, realtors, builders, civic associations, and other interested parties are encouraged to share the videos.

Contributors to the videos include the Affordable Housing Council, Advocates for Homeless Families, the Frederick Rescue Mission, Heartly House, SHIP, Beyond Shelter Frederick, Habitat for Humanity Frederick, the Interfaith Housing Alliance, the Frederick County Division of Aging and Independence, and SOAR of Frederick. The Frederick County Office of Communications and Public Engagement filmed and produced the videos.

For more information on affordable housing initiatives and resources, please contact Gary Bennett of the Affordable Housing Council at 301-606-3012 or gabennett01@comcast.net.