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 Infrastructure
Applicant: USDA BARC
Project 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 County
Amount Included: $3,000,000

Project Name: Berlin Community Center at Historic Flower Street School Site
Applicant: Town of Berlin
Project 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 County
Amount Included: $1,400,000

Project Name: Carroll County Youth Service Bureau Building Addition Project
Applicant: Carroll County Youth Service Bureau
Project 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 County
Amount Included: $1,000,000

Project Name: City of Cambridge Fire Engine Replacement
Applicant: Commissioners of Cambridge - City of Cambridge
Project 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 County
Amount Included: $715,000

Project Name: Crisfield Fire Department & Emergency Shelter
Applicant: City of Crisfield
Project 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 County
Amount Included: $1,357,500

Project Name: Doctor of Veterinary Medicine Program
Applicant: University of Maryland Eastern Shore
Project 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 County
Amount Included: $1,000,000

Project Name: Expanding Nursing Education and Workforce Development Technology
Applicant: McDaniel College
Project Description: Funds will equip a new state-of-the-art facility to educate nursing students and address Maryland’s nursing shortage.
Project Location: Carroll County
Amount Included: $830,000

Project Name: Garrett Regional Medical Center Radiology Department Planning and Design
Applicant: Garrett Regional Medical Center
Project 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 County
Amount Included: $1,000,000

Project Name: Kent County EMS Headquarters Enhancement Project
Applicant: Kent County Board of County Commissioners
Project 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 County
Amount Included: $45,000

Project Name: Kent County for Millington Wastewater Treatment Plant
Applicant: Kent County Board of County Commissioners
Project 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 County
Amount Included: $6,200,000

Project Name: Potomac Fire Company Engine Replacement
Applicant: 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 County
Amount Included: $675,000

Project Name: Mount St. Mary's University for Water Treatment Plant
Applicant: Mount St. Mary's University
Project 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 County
Amount Included: $1,000,000

Project Name: San Mar Children’s Home, Inc. Facility Construction
Applicant: 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 County
Amount Included: $1,015,000

Project Name: Shore Regional Medical Center
Applicant: University of Maryland Shore Regional Health
Project 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 County
Amount Included: $2,500,000

Project Name: STEM Makerspace at the New La Plata Library
Applicant: Charles County Public Library
Project 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 County
Amount Included: $67,000

Project Name: The Foxie G Foundation Horses Helping People Center
Applicant: The Foxie G Foundation, Inc
Project 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 County
Amount Included: $428,000

Project Name: Town of Barclay Community Center and Town Hall
Applicant: Town of Barclay
Project 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 County
Amount Included: $1,044,000

Project Name: Town of Eagle Harbor Community Revitalization
Applicant: 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 County
Amount Included: $800,000

Project Name: Veterans Freedom Center
Applicant: 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 County
Amount 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:

• $850 million for Natural Resource Conservation Service Conservation Operations – this funding allows Natural Resources Conservation Service staff to provide assistance and work one-on-one with farmers to conserve resources and prevent run-off. The bill also includes language expressing the Committee’s view that additional Conservation Technical Assistance should be provided to Critical Conservation Areas like the Chesapeake Bay Watershed because a lack of planning capacity can slow down projects in our region.

• Funding for programs at historically Black 1890 Land-Grant institutions like the University of Maryland Eastern Shore:

• Research: $89 million
• Extension Services: $72 million
• Education Grants: $30 million
• Facility Improvements: $21.5 million
• Scholarships: $10 million
• Centers of Excellence: $10 million

Other highlights:

• $2 million for invasive wild-caught catfish processing and $1 million to support catfish processing inspection, which will help address key bottlenecks in the Chesapeake Bay blue catfish market, ensuring Marylanders have more access to this healthy protein source while supporting Maryland watermen and restoring the health of the Chesapeake Bay in the process.
• $8.2 billion for the Special Supplemental Nutrition Program for Women, Infants, and Children Program (WIC), a $603 million increase over fiscal year 2025. This increase ensures that all eligible participants can continue to rely on the essential nutrition assistance and support provided by WIC. The bill also continues full funding for additional fruit and vegetable benefits.
• $460 million for the Commodity Supplemental Food Program to ensure over 700,000 low-income seniors have access to nutritious foods through monthly food boxes.
• Full funding for all mandatory nutrition programs including the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP), School Lunch Program, School Breakfast Program, and Summer EBT.
• $1.79 billion for the Agricultural Research Service, the Department of Agriculture’s (USDA) premiere in-house research agency. One of USDA’s agricultural research centers is located in Beltsville, Maryland.
• $48 million for the Sustainable Agriculture Research and Education program to provide farmer-driven funding and education opportunities that help advance sustainable agriculture in the Chesapeake Bay region and beyond.
• $22.8 million for the National Organic Program, which develops consistent national standards and supports organic farming accreditation in Maryland.
• $23.9 million for the Rural Water Circuit Rider Program, which provides technical assistance to rural water utilities in Maryland.