HCC receives $197,045 RMPIF grant

Hagerstown Community College has been awarded a $197,045 grant from the Rural Maryland Prosperity Investment Fund. The objective of the RMPIF is to help raise the overall standard of living in rural areas to a level that meets or exceeds statewide benchmark averages by 2030, while preserving the best aspects of cultural heritage and rural way of life.

HCC’s grant, “Growing Rural Futures: Advancing Health and Workforce in Western Maryland,” supports the expansion of the dental clinic, including renovation and equipment purchases, as well as equipment for the Medical Laboratory Technician Program. The dental lab expansion renovation is expected to be complete by the spring of 2026.

The Washington County Department of Business and Economic Development, the City of Hagerstown, and the Washington County Chamber of Commerce are working in partnership with HCC on this grant. The grant period is August 1, 2025, through June 30, 2026. Expected outcomes include training 127 students, serving 900 individuals through the community dental clinic, and graduating 95 students using grant-funded equipment.

The Rural Maryland Prosperity Investment Fund supports the operating activities of the Rural Maryland Council, including the administration of the Maryland Agricultural Education and Rural Development Assistance Fund and funding for the State’s five rural Regional Councils. The RMPIF grant program is designed to make strategic investments in key economic and community development initiatives while fostering regional and intergovernmental collaboration.

(October 27, 2025)

HCC to offer info session for Health Information Management Program

A free information session will be held on Thursday, May 22, for those who want to learn more about the Health Information Management Program (medical billing and coding) at Hagerstown Community College. It will be held from 5:30 to 7:30 p.m., in the Career Programs Building, room 211.

HCC offers a certificate in electronic health records and an associate degree in health information management. These credentials prepare students to work as health information technicians, who organize and manage databases, electronic systems, and reporting that supports patients and professionals in a variety of healthcare settings. Employment in this field is projected to grow by 17 percent over the next 10 years.

Registration for the information session is not required. For more information on the program, call 240-500-2383 or email kshamburg@hagerstowncc.edu.

(April 8, 2025)