Elfreth Delivers Over $6 Million in Federal Funding to Advance Annapolis Public Safety and Environmental Restoration

ANNAPOLIS, MD - Today, Congresswoman Sarah Elfreth (MD-03) joined local leaders and community partners in Annapolis to highlight $6,007,144 in Fiscal Year 2026 Congressionally Directed Spending secured for invasive species mitigation, public safety, community re-entry and rehabilitation resources, and more.

"I came to Congress to deliver tangible results for Maryland families back home, and with over $6 million secured for Annapolis, we are doing just that. From combating the threat of invasive species and improving emergency response to expanding re-entry and rehabilitation services for our most vulnerable neighbors, this federal funding will make a real difference in the lives of everyone who calls Annapolis home. These are priorities and partners that I have had the privilege of working on since my days in the Maryland Senate, which is why I am thrilled to now deliver this much-needed federal funding toward these projects in Congress," said Congresswoman Elfreth.

"Delivering federal investments in our communities is one of my top priorities, which is why we worked to secure these funds for local initiatives important to Anne Arundel County. With these federal dollars, we're supporting efforts to protect our natural resources like Holly Beach, expand reentry and rehabilitation services, and strengthen emergency response capabilities - as well as research to help us tackle the invasive blue catfish, a critical issue facing Maryland's seafood industry. These federal dollars are being put to work where they can have the greatest impact," said Senator Chris Van Hollen, a member of the Senate Appropriations Committee.

"Beyond being a beautiful capital to our great state, Annapolis is home to thriving communities and native wildlife. I am so proud that we are investing over $6 million to mitigate invasive species and protect habitats; to create additional educational opportunities in the field of environmental science; to protect our communities by investing in the Annapolis Police Department; and to provide reentry and rehabilitation resources including mental health resources," said Senator Alsobrooks.

"Effectively managing public lands and maintaining sustainable fisheries are two of the core priorities for the Maryland Department of Natural Resources," said DNR Secretary Josh Kurtz. "Rep. Elfreth's work to secure federal funding for DNR's ongoing efforts to mitigate the harm caused by invasive blue catfish and support the development of the breathtaking Holly Beach Farm Natural Resource Management Area in Annapolis provides a significant boost to those priorities. Thank you to Rep. Elfreth for her support of the agency's mission. These investments will improve Maryland's seafood industry and provide new outdoor recreation opportunities."

This $6,007,144 dollars of federal funding includes significant investment in environmental restoration to the Maryland Department of Natural Resources and the University of Maryland Center for Environmental Science, which Senators Chris Van Hollen (D-MD) and Angela Alsobrooks (D-MD) helped secure. The over $3,000,000 for the Maryland Department of Natural Resources will help further research on mitigation methods for invasive blue catfish and improve stormwater resiliency at the Holly Beach Farm shoreline. The $800,000 in funding for the University of Maryland Center for Environmental Science will go towards the construction of a new leadership office in Annapolis and accommodate growing program needs.

"As UMCES enters its second century, this funding positions our institution for the next hundred years of environmental leadership. By consolidating our leadership in Annapolis, we are anchoring our world-class research in a city that serves not just as Maryland's capital, but as the environmental capital of the Chesapeake Bay and the world. We are deeply grateful to Congresswoman Sarah Elfreth for securing this $800,000 investment. This support will help empower our scientists to tackle the most pressing ecological challenges of our time and strengthen our ability to deliver actionable science to lawmakers and communities alike," said Dr. Fernando Miralles-Wilhelm, President, University of Maryland Center for Environmental Science (UMCES).

Elfreth also announced $1,031,000 in funding delivered to the Anne Arundel County Community Action Agency to expand crucial reentry and rehabilitation resources, including family reunification, mental health, and financial services, as well as $1,031,000 for the Annapolis Police Department to purchase a new Mobile Command Unit to respond to critical incidents, weather-related emergencies, and other special events.

"Good public safety means having the right tools in the right place at the right time, and that is what this more than $1 million in funding to the City supports. We will use this money to replace an aging Annapolis Police command unit with a nimble, high-tech base of operations so that the City's public safety teams can effectively respond to critical incidents, weather emergencies, and localized crime spikes in real time. Thank you to Rep. Sarah Elfreth for fighting to secure this funding to ensure our teams have what they need to protect the Annapolis community," said Mayor Jared Littmann.

"Our county is fortunate to have leaders like Congresswoman Elfreth and Senators Van Hollen and Alsobrooks who truly understand our local communities and the unique needs of our residents," said Anne Arundel County Executive Steuart Pittman. "These funds will help protect our environment, make our communities safer, reduce recidivism, and deliver services to our residents."

The total FY26 Congressionally Directed Spending secured for Annapolis is as follows:

Project Name: Invasive Species (Blue Catfish) Mitigation

Applicant: Maryland Department of Natural Resources

Project Description: Funding will be used to perform research and data collection to better understand holistic ecosystem impacts from various methods of blue catfish harvest, and to monitor and minimize ecological and economic impacts of blue catfish on the bay.

Funded Amount: $2,000,000

Project Name: Holly Beach Farm Resiliency

Applicant: Maryland Department of Natural Resources

Project Description: Funding will be used to conduct Environmental Assessment, Conservation Planning, and Public Access Development of nearly 5 miles along the Holly Beach Farm waterfront.

Funded Amount: $1,145,144

Project Name: Mobile Command Unit

Applicant: Annapolis Police Department

Project Description: Funding will be used to purchase a new Mobile Command Unit, to be used for critical incidents, weather-related emergencies, special events, and where crime is spiking to act as a base of operations. This unit would replace the current aging unit.

Funded Amount: $1,031,000

Project Name: Reentry and Rehabilitation Initiative

Applicant: Anne Arundel County Community Action Agency

Project Description: Funding will be used to offer resources that address employment, family reunification, financial services, cognitive decision making skills, mental health services, substance abuse treatment, transitional housing, vocational training, peer support, and prosocial networks for justice-involved residents.

Funded Amount: $1,031,000

Project Name: Establishment of Leadership Offices in Annapolis

Applicant: University of Maryland Center for Environmental Science

Project Description: Funding will be used to renovate the new consolidated headquarters of UMCES, with a focus on layout changes to accommodate office and programming needs, as well as cyberinfrastructure.

Funded Amount: $800,000

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