Van Hollen, Alsobrooks Announce Protections for BARC & Over $25 Million in Direct Funding for Local Projects Supporting Economic Development, Emergency Response, Veterans, Infrastructure, & More

Today, U.S. Senator Chris Van Hollen, a member of the Senate Appropriations Committee, and U.S. Senator Angela Alsobrooks (both D-Md.) announced $25,076,500 in direct federal funding for community-led projects throughout Maryland within the fiscal year 2026 Agriculture, Rural Development, Food and Drug Administration (FDA), and Related Agencies appropriations bill – which was enacted into law as part of the government funding agreement passed earlier this month. These projects – funded at the Senators’ request – support first responders, economic development, agricultural research, and more for local communities across Maryland. Also critical for Maryland, the Senators secured provisions to support the continued operations of the Beltsville Agricultural Research Center (BARC) in Prince George’s County – which has been targeted for closure under the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s (USDA) reorganization plan – along with $6 million to modernize aging buildings on its campus.
“In partnership with community leaders across our state, we fought to secure direct federal investments in this legislation to advance local priorities – from better equipping our first responders to spurring economic development. Within this bill, we also worked to ensure BARC can continue its vital efforts to bolster the success of America’s farmers, halting this Administration’s misguided attempts to shutter this crown jewel of agricultural research – while also providing additional resources to support conservation in and around the Chesapeake Bay. As the appropriations process for next year moves forward, I will continue to do all I can to ensure our funding bills meet the needs of Maryland and our nation,”said Senator Van Hollen, a member of the Appropriations Committee.
“I am so proud to have worked alongside Senator Van Hollen in pushing back against this Administration to ensure the Beltsville Agricultural Research Center (BARC) – a hub for agricultural research that supports 1,000 jobs in our state – was fully funded in Fiscal Year 2026 Agriculture, Rural Development, Food and Drug Administration (FDA), and Related Agencies Funding Bill. In addition, I am proud we were able to secure funding for mental health and substance use services, STEM-related equipment for our public libraries, support for our fire departments, additional funding to address Maryland's nurses shortage, and a radiation department and on-site radiation treatment services for cancer patients in Garrett County, MD,”said Senator Alsobrooks.
The Senators worked to secure these funds and provisions, but ultimately voted against the larger package they were included within, given its failure to prevent health care costs for millions of Americans from skyrocketing and its lack of safeguards to prevent more lawlessness from the Trump Administration.
Highlights for Maryland in the Fiscal Year 2026 Agriculture, Rural Development, Food and Drug Administration (FDA), and Related Agencies Funding Bill
Beltsville Agricultural Research Center (BARC)
BARC is the largest USDA Agricultural Research Service facility in the country and a hub for key agricultural research that supports farmers throughout the Chesapeake Bay watershed and across the nation. It supports 1,000 jobs in Maryland. The funding bill includes $6 million for BARC facility upgrades and capital improvements, including $3 million in direct federal funding requested and secured by the Senators. The bill report also includes language in support of the continued operation of BARC, which has been targeted for closure under the USDA’s reorganization plan.
Congressionally Directed Spending
Project Name: Beltsville Agricultural Research Center InfrastructureApplicant: USDA BARCProject Description: Funds will be used to make essential upgrades to continue agricultural research at BARC, including to finish steam system repairs from power plant to endpoints, repair water towers and the water treatment plant, and repair wastewater main lines.Project Location: Prince George’s CountyAmount Included: $3,000,000
Project Name: Berlin Community Center at Historic Flower Street School SiteApplicant: Town of BerlinProject Description: Funds will support the construction of a multigenerational community center that will house the SHORE UP! Head Start Center, programs for kids and families, computer labs, and recreational spaces at the site of the historic Flower Street School.Project Location: Worcester CountyAmount Included: $1,400,000
Project Name: Carroll County Youth Service Bureau Building Addition ProjectApplicant: Carroll County Youth Service BureauProject Description: Funds will support an addition to the Carroll County Youth Service Bureau Building to expand mental health and substance use services for individuals and families.Project Location: Carroll CountyAmount Included: $1,000,000
Project Name: City of Cambridge Fire Engine ReplacementApplicant: Commissioners of Cambridge - City of CambridgeProject Purpose: Funds will be used to purchase a new fire and rescue truck for Dorchester County’s Rescue Fire Company to replace the oldest in their fleet, which is 13 years past its service life.Project Location: Dorchester CountyAmount Included: $715,000
Project Name: Crisfield Fire Department & Emergency ShelterApplicant: City of CrisfieldProject Purpose: Funds will be used to construct a new fire department and emergency shelter for the City of Crisfield, which will replace the existing 65-year-old station that is not suitable for modern needs and emergencies.Project Location: Somerset CountyAmount Included: $1,357,500
Project Name: Doctor of Veterinary Medicine ProgramApplicant: University of Maryland Eastern ShoreProject Purpose: Funds will be used for specialized equipment, vehicles, and supplies to support the new Doctor of Veterinary Medicine program at UMES. This program is essential to address the nationwide veterinarian shortage, particularly in rural areas.Project Location: Somerset CountyAmount Included: $1,000,000
Project Name: Expanding Nursing Education and Workforce Development TechnologyApplicant: McDaniel CollegeProject Description: Funds will equip a new state-of-the-art facility to educate nursing students and address Maryland’s nursing shortage.Project Location: Carroll CountyAmount Included: $830,000
Project Name: Garrett Regional Medical Center Radiology Department Planning and DesignApplicant: Garrett Regional Medical CenterProject Purpose: Funds will be used for a comprehensive radiation department and on-site radiation treatment services for cancer patients in Garrett County, MD and surrounding communities which currently lack convenient access to this care.Project Location: Garrett CountyAmount Included: $1,000,000
Project Name: Kent County EMS Headquarters Enhancement ProjectApplicant: Kent County Board of County CommissionersProject 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 CountyAmount Included: $45,000
Project Name: Kent County for Millington Wastewater Treatment PlantApplicant: Kent County Board of County CommissionersProject 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 CountyAmount Included: $6,200,000
Project Name: Potomac Fire Company Engine ReplacementApplicant: Potomac Fire Company No.2 Inc.Project Description: Funds will be used to replace a 33-year-old fire engine to better serve and protect the Town of Westernport.Project Location: Allegany CountyAmount Included: $675,000
Project Name: Mount St. Mary's University for Water Treatment PlantApplicant: Mount St. Mary's UniversityProject Description: Funds will be used to construct a water treatment plant serving the campus community, patients at Frederick Health Urgent Care, and the rural Town of Emmitsburg. The project will improve drinking water infrastructure and address elevated levels of PFAS.Project Location: Frederick CountyAmount Included: $1,000,000
Project Name: San Mar Children’s Home, Inc. Facility ConstructionApplicant: San Mar Children's Home, Inc. DBA San Mar Family and Community Services, Inc.Project Purpose: Funds will be used to renovate buildings to provide supportive services and housing for young people to prevent homelessness.Project Location: Washington CountyAmount Included: $1,015,000
Project Name: Shore Regional Medical CenterApplicant: University of Maryland Shore Regional HealthProject Purpose: Funds will be used to support construction of a new Regional Medical Center in Easton that would promote greater access to urgent healthcare by serving as the Mid-Shore’s hub for acute hospital based services.Project Location: Talbot CountyAmount Included: $2,500,000
Project Name: STEM Makerspace at the New La Plata LibraryApplicant: Charles County Public LibraryProject Description: Funds will be used to outfit a makerspace at the new La Plata branch library with STEM-related equipment such as 3D printers and laser cutters to encourage educational opportunities and support local entrepreneurship.Project Location: Charles CountyAmount Included: $67,000
Project Name: The Foxie G Foundation Horses Helping People CenterApplicant: The Foxie G Foundation, IncProject Description: Funds will be used to support the construction and development of an equine-assisted therapy center to provide mental health services to veterans, first-responders, dementia patients and their caregivers, and at-risk youth.Project Location: Charles CountyAmount Included: $428,000
Project Name: Town of Barclay Community Center and Town HallApplicant: Town of BarclayProject 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 CountyAmount Included: $1,044,000
Project Name: Town of Eagle Harbor Community RevitalizationApplicant: Town of Eagle Harbor, Inc.Project Description: Funds will support expansion and renovation of the Eagle Harbor Community Center and new downtown outdoor amenities to support residents as well as local economic growth opportunities, including a park, an outdoor pavilion, and performance space.Project Location: Prince George's CountyAmount Included: $800,000
Project Name: Veterans Freedom CenterApplicant: Carroll County Veterans Independence Project, Inc.Project Description: A Veterans Freedom Center (VFC) would provide a community hub for community engagement, employment assistance, education assistance, and support services that would empower Veterans from around the region to transition successfully back to civilian life.Project Location: Carroll CountyAmount Included: $1,000,000
Additional priorities secured by the Senators in the FY26 Agriculture, Rural Development, Food and Drug Administration, and Related Agencies funding bill, in addition to the $6 million for BARC facility upgrades and capital improvements:
Other highlights: