CUMBERLAND – April 21, 2026

Senator Mike McKay secured more than $7.4 million for Western Maryland on this week’s Board of Public Works agenda—funding to overhaul Frostburg’s aging sewer system, protect 136 acres of Garrett County forest land, and upgrade Frostburg Community Park.

“Frostburg families have dealt with these old combined sewers for decades. When it rains hard, they know what happens. I fought to get this fixed, and now we’re getting it done,” said Senator McKay. “Western Marylanders send plenty of money to Annapolis. My job is making sure some of it comes back home—to the basics that actually matter out here.”

The largest piece is $7,393,419 for the City of Frostburg to keep separating its combined sanitary and storm sewers—a multi-phase project that reduces overflows and protects homes and businesses from backups. The funding covers two segments of the work: Cemetery Lane ($4,476,437) and East Washington ($2,916,982).

Garrett County will see a $340,000 acquisition of 136 acres of fully forested land bordering Potomac State Forest. The property shares roughly 9,000 feet of common boundary with existing state land and will be managed by the Maryland Forest Service. For local families, that means more ground to hunt, hike, and fish on—and stronger protection for the Upper North Branch of the Potomac, which feeds drinking water across the region.

Frostburg Community Park will receive $22,753 in Program Open Space funds already allocated to Allegany County. The money covers pool area improvements—refinished concession stand floor, restored concrete decking, new deck chairs, and added security cameras—plus upgrades to the little league ballfield area, including a new metal roof on the pavilion and restroom renovations.

“This is our tax money, coming back to Allegany and Garrett Counties where it belongs,” McKay added. “Annapolis doesn’t get to forget about Western Maryland—not on my watch.”

The Board of Public Works is scheduled to approve the items on April 22, 2026, following Senator McKay’s advocacy alongside Delegates Jim Hinebaugh and Jason Buckel.

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