ELLICOTT CITY, MD – Howard County Executive Calvin Ball today released a statement regarding the possible impacts in Howard County from the federal freeze of all grant and loan funding:
We are deeply concerned by President Trump and the Office of Management and Budget’s directive to freeze federal funding for a broad swath of public and nonprofit organizations across the United States. Our team is continuing to evaluate the full impacts of this directive, should it be enacted, on Howard County programs, service delivery, and government operations.
These actions by the Trump Administration may jeopardize our neighbors’ ability to keep a roof over their heads, food on the table, or remain employed due to a lack of transportation. An abrupt federal funding freeze will unequivocally affect workforce training initiatives and transportation options for residents to jobsites.
We also know that many of our local nonprofits rely on federal funding to administer important programs and services that support our neighbors, including Head Start and early childhood education for families. We are very disturbed to hear that funding portals have been closed for many critical nonprofit programs as this directive is evaluated and implemented.
Howard County Government anticipates that the impact of federal funding freezes or cuts in our operating and capital budget could be tens of millions of dollars. This funding supports critical infrastructure, emergency management, and public safety needs. This could include essential funding for the completion of Historic Ellicott City’s North Tunnel project, which is the largest public works project in County history and will reduce the risks of flash flooding on Main Street. Other potential impacts to infrastructure include road maintenance, bridge repairs, and water and sewer infrastructure.
In addition to capital funding impacts, Howard County relies on federal funding to support key operations of our government. This directive could impact funding for transportation efforts including public transit, affordable housing programs and homelessness services, public safety and emergency response, and workforce and job training programs, among other impacts to critical programs.
We welcome quick action by our judicial system to halt this federal directive and restore access to federal funds. The threat of losing this critical funding to these essential services is incredibly troubling and could be devastating to our families and workers.
We will continue working to ensure the best outcomes so that all our residents are and feel safe, valued, and respected. We are thankful for our Congressional representatives and Governor Wes Moore’s Administration for their efforts to combat this measure on behalf of all Marylanders and communities across the nation. We continue to urge President Trump and his administration to work with us to ensure the continuity of these critical services and county operations.