Published: December 21, 2008 10:37 pm      

ARC grant will go to Frostburg plan

Document that charts future growth, development may be adopted in August

FROSTBURG — City officials fully expect to adopt in August an updated comprehensive plan that meets not only the deadline imposed by the state, but also the mandated requirement for investigation of water resources and future residential and commercial growth.

Recently, a grant of $28,000 from the Appalachian Regional Commission was received and will pay for almost half of the cost of a contract with Davis, Bowen and Friedel of Salisbury, the firm that will complete the comprehensive plan.

“We will be receiving a similar amount in the form of a Community Development Block Grant,” said City Administrator John Kirby on Tuesday. “The consultants have experience working on these plans for cities on the Eastern Shore.”

“The city will also provide $4,000 cash and $6,000 worth of in-kind services to complete the contract payment of $66,000,” said Richard Harris, Frostburg’s director of development.

In announcing the ARC grant, U.S. Sen. Benjamin Cardin, D-Md., called strategic planning a critical tool for future growth and development.

Limited staff and financial restraints hamper small cities such as Frostburg from taking on large, mandated tasks such as comprehensive plans, according to information supplied by U.S. Sen. Barbara Mikulski, D-Md.

“This federal funding is an important investment in Frostburg’s future as well as future economic success in Western Maryland,” Mikulski said.

Harris said that in 2006 Maryland mandated in depth investigations via the comprehensive plans into a city’s total water resources and its future growth.

“We are as much interested in preparing for future commercial and industrial growth as we are in looking at future residential growth,” he said. “Both are needed to have a balanced, healthy economy.”

A series of public presentations about the plan will take place, the next being Jan. 21 at a special meeting or the Planning Commission.

“The consultant is to have the plan ready for state review in May,” Harris said.

Contact Michael A. Sawyers at msawyers@times-news.com.