CUMBERLAND – September 17, 2026

Senator Mike McKay brought more than $2.8 million in tax dollars back to Western Maryland this week, with seven projects approved across Allegany, Garrett, and Washington Counties at the September 16 Board of Public Works meeting.

“Western Marylanders send a lot of money to Annapolis,” said Senator McKay. “This week, $2.8 million of it came back home to our fire companies, our kids, our parks, and an airport that keeps Washington County in business. That’s not new spending. That’s our money, back where it belongs.”

Two volunteer fire companies are getting equipment they’ve been waiting on. Goodwill Volunteer Fire Company No. 1 in Allegany County will receive $100,000 toward a new tanker, replacing a 1990 Ford that has been on the road for 36 years. In Garrett County, the Kitzmiller Volunteer Fire Department will receive $50,000 for its Rescue 78 unit. Neither company has to put up a matching dollar.

“Our volunteers drop everything, day or night, to answer the call,” said McKay, who chairs the Maryland Fire and EMS Coalition. “Nobody should be asking them to do it in a truck that’s older than some of the firefighters riding in it.”

In Washington County, $1.5 million will go toward the air traffic control tower at Hagerstown Regional Airport, and $700,000 will build a paved walking and biking loop at Marty Snook Park, giving families a safe path away from the main park road.

In Garrett County, the Town of Grantsville will receive $320,000 for new playground equipment, and an additional $111,375 will complete the state’s purchase of the Wilt property after a survey found the tract was 81.37 acres larger than first thought, keeping that land open for hunting, hiking, and the outdoors.

In Allegany County, $61,000 will add accessible seating and entry at Allegany College of Maryland’s Bazarnic Field, so every fan can get into the game.

“A tanker, a rescue unit, a playground, a trail, and a control tower. None of that was dreamed up in Annapolis,” McKay added. “Our communities asked for it, and I’m going to keep making sure Western Maryland gets its fair share.”

The Board of Public Works approved all seven items on September 16, 2026.

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