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Council approves Rural Legacy applications, grant submissions and letters of support including $405,000 FEMA EMS application
Summary
The Council approved submission of FY2026 Rural Legacy Program applications, a $405,000 FEMA Assistance to Firefighters EMS grant application (10% match, two-year period), and letters of support for Elijah's General Store HFFI applications totaling $240,000 in requests.
The Dorchester County Council approved a package of grant submissions, program applications and letters of support at its Dec. 17 meeting.
Planning & Zoning Director Susan Webb received Council approval to submit FY2026 Rural Legacy Program applications to the Maryland Department of Natural Resources, prioritizing (1) the Agricultural Security Corridor — Eastern Shore Heartland Rural Legacy focus area, (2) the Nanticoke focus area, and (3) the Harriet Tubman focus area; the county rotates priorities annually.
The Council also approved multiple grant-related requests on the consent agenda: a request from Marilyn Williams (Grants Writer, Finance) on behalf of Emergency Medical Services Manager Debbie Wheedleton to submit a $405,000 Assistance to Firefighters Grant application to FEMA to support EMS resources, vehicle acquisition and related needs. The grant application requires a 10% local match and has a two-year performance period from the award date, contingent upon the FY26 budget.
Additionally, the Council agreed to provide letters of support for two Healthy Food Financing Initiative (HFFI) Reinvestment Fund applications submitted by David Beverley for Elijah's General Store, LLC in Toddville: a $200,000 Food Access & Retail Expansion (FARE) Fund request and a $40,000 FARE technical assistance request. Mr. Beverley described potential uses of award funds including zoning changes, permitting, hiring, attorney fees and website formation; Council President Pfeffer noted that letters of support do not obligate the County to provide funding.
Other consent items approved included an FY25 SolarAPP+ Implementation Grant application through the Maryland Energy Administration, a Delmarva Community Services MTA FY25 operating grant amendment, and a FY25 Community Partnership Agreement renewal for Moving Dorchester Forward, Inc. in the amount of $531,292.
Why it matters: The approvals position Dorchester County to pursue state and federal funds for land conservation, emergency services and local business expansion. The consent agenda recordings include dollar amounts and match requirements where specified and note contingency on future budget appropriations.
