Tri‑County updates: job fair draws strong sign-ups; community action group asks delegation for $1 million in repairs

JOHN HARTLINE, executive director of the Tri‑County Council of Southern Maryland, told the delegation the organization's legislative reception is on track and that sponsorships and registrations total about $18,575, short of a $25,000 target. He also reported the regional job fair at the College of Southern Maryland, La Plata campus, registered more than 45 businesses and over 1,500 attendees and will include an expanded family resource fair.

A separate presenter identified as Mr. Young, representing the Southern Maryland Tri‑County Community Action Committee, Inc., said two major buildings used by his organization (the Forbes and Munk buildings) are closed. He said the agency raised $125,000 for immediate repairs, plans an RFP for architect and engineering services, and has submitted a proposal "that represents about 1000000 dollars" to address code, sprinkler, firewall and renovation needs. Mr. Young asked for unified support from the Southern Maryland delegation and said the organization serves roughly 80,000 clients annually across the three counties in programs including emergency food distribution, housing counseling, energy assistance (about 10,000 clients), Head Start/early Head Start and childcare partnerships.

Delegate Edith Patterson thanked the presenters and offered to help coordinate support, including letters from delegation members if needed.