August 28th, 2024 by WCBC Radio

Program Open Space funding through the Department of Natural Resources has decreased steadily over the past few years from almost two million dollars in 2023 to this year’s apportionment of $360,000.

Adam Patterson, Director of Public Works for Allegany County said they received requests for ten projects this year, but will only be able to recommend seven for funding…

 

“In comparison to previous fiscal years: Fiscal year 23, we got almost a million dollars from the State for program open space funding, Fiscal year 24, just $7,000 shy of $1 million and unfortunately this year, we are way down on funding we got from the State.  We are at $360,000 to work with.”

Patterson presented the projects that include work at Allegany College of Maryland, Barton, Cresaptown and Frostburg. The commissioners will vote on the recommendations at a later date…

“Again we really tried to just spread the wealth out here to 7 projects, mainly focusing on a lot of the bigger facilities in the County and also taking a look at how we have put the funding into many different organizations in prior fiscal yeairs.”