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Easterseals asks delegation for $5 million state match to open 172‑seat downtown Hagerstown child development center
Summary
Easterseals and local partners told the Washington County Delegation they have raised about $5 million in private funds and seek a $5 million state match to buy and renovate a downtown Hagerstown building and open a 172‑child early learning center; no formal action was taken.
Easterseals executives and local partners asked the Washington County Delegation for state matching funds on a planned child development center in downtown Hagerstown that would serve 172 children.
John Horwich, chief executive officer of Easterseals, told the delegation the center is intended to help attract employers and support working families by increasing access to affordable, high‑quality early childhood education. Horwich said the project targets children from low‑income families so they “enter public school prepared to learn.”
Horwich said the organization and local partners have raised almost $5 million in private capital toward one‑time startup costs and are requesting a $5 million state match to complete the purchase and renovation. “We already have a building under contract that we’re waiting to close on, until we get this final piece of funding,” Horwich said, adding that architectural drawings are complete and a general contractor has been hired.
Dennis Alexander, director of government relations for Easterseals, introduced the presentation and invited questions from delegates. Linda Aebersole, a local partner and advocate, described losing childcare for her daughter and said the downtown area has a particular shortage of early childhood seats; she urged the delegation to consider the request.
Delegation members asked for operational and program details. Delegate Baker asked where Easterseals currently operates its other centers; Horwich said the affiliate operates four centers in Maryland, two in Washington, D.C., and one in Northern Virginia, and noted a long‑running adult day site in Hagerstown. Senator Corman said he had discussed the project with administration officials and that the proposal “checks a lot of the boxes” of the governor’s priorities but acknowledged the current budget year is tight.
No formal vote or directive was taken. Delegation leaders said they would continue to work with Easterseals and county partners as the legislative session progresses.
