Growth

Managing Growth: Balancing Opportunity with Quality of Life

I hear loud and clearly from residents that Frederick County has grown and that with that growth, we haven’t always kept pace with the infrastructure and services needed. Overcrowded schools, congested roads, and increasing demands for our public safety professionals are real concerns we must address.

Growth is inevitable but how we manage it is a choice. As a lifelong resident, I’ve seen firsthand the exciting opportunities and increased diversity that growth has brought to our community. Frederick County remains a wonderful place to live because of its unique charm and sense of community.

Importantly, since 2022, we have not approved any new residential growth outside of age-restricted communities, helping us manage the impact on schools and public services while still providing housing options for our seniors.

That said, one challenge we face is that growth within Frederick’s municipalities is beyond the County’s direct control, which complicates our efforts to manage infrastructure and service demands on a regional level.

My goal is to ensure we don’t overdevelop and lose the character that makes our county special. That means:

• Controlling growth responsibly
• Prioritizing infrastructure improvements for schools, roads, and safety services
• Encouraging development that attracts new employers and provides needed commercial space
• Supporting smart, balanced growth that creates good jobs and preserves the quality of life we all value

By focusing on infrastructure and thoughtful development, we can build a stronger Frederick County that welcomes opportunity without sacrificing what we love about our home.