County approves ARPA funding, number of bills

EASTON — Nearly $2.3 million in ARPA funding to nonprofit organizations and county departments was approved by the Talbot County Council on Tuesday.

Almost $1.4 million of the funds are allocated to 15 different nonprofits. Three county departments — public works, economic development and tourism, and technical services — are set to receive a combined $755,000.

A total of $144,000 is set aside for two Maryland Broadband Cooperative cell tower projects. Council Vice President Pete Lesher said the ARPA subcommittee tracked results from a public survey with nearly 700 responses, determining four priorities: broadband infrastructure, public health, nonprofits and businesses recovering from the pandemic.

Some projects that requested funding from the county’s ARPA pool did not receive any. Others received a partial amount of their requests. Lesher said the subcommittee considered which projects could receive funding from other sources.

“We tend to favor those projects that did not have that alternative to turn to,” Lesher said.

BILLS PASSEDThe council passed 22 bills Tuesday, many of which include amendments to reappropriate fiscal year 2025 funds for capital projects around the county.

Improvements to county roads, bridges, the St. Michaels’ branch of the Talbot County Free Library and a concession stand at the Talbot County sports complex are included in the bills.

County Manager Clay Stamp also said the county has put out a request for proposal for the construction of a paramedic station across from Chapel District Elementary School in Cordova.

It will be the county’s sixth EMS station and improve response times in the north end of the county.