Fund to support Howard County nonprofits providing COVID-19 relief

Edgemoor-Star America Judicial Partners (ESJP), a group of companies collaborating to develop the new Howard County Circuit Courthouse, established a donor-advised fund with the Community Foundation of Howard County. The New Howard County Courthouse Development Team COVID-19 Relief Fund, which has grown to $38,600, will support local nonprofit organizations providing relief from the COVID-19 pandemic.

“It’s fantastic to see what these companies are doing to support the Howard County community,” said Beverly White-Seals, president and CEO of the Community Foundation of Howard County. “The needs of the community are staggering. We are in an unprecedented crisis, but we are so gratified at how ESJP has taken a leadership role to take care of people in need.”

Maryland-based Edgemoor Infrastructure & Real Estate and Star America Infrastructure Partners lead ESJP, which also includes Maryland-based Clark Construction Group as design-builder, Howard County-based Harkins Builders as associate design-builder, HOK as lead architect and Johnson Controls as facilities manager. Other partners include:

• Allen & Shariff Engineering based in Howard County
• Project Finance Advisory Ltd
• Bracewell LLP
• O’Connell & Lawrence based in Maryland
• Site Resources based in Maryland
• S2N Technology Group based in Maryland
• Cagley & Associates based in Maryland
• Wiley|Wilson
• Kirlin Design Build based in Maryland
• Rosendin Electric
• Turner & Townsend
• Gordon Contractors based in Maryland
• Physical Security
• Crystal Steel Fabricators
• C&E Constructions
• Sody Concrete based in Maryland
• DXI Construction based in Maryland
• MetLife

“I’ve been thrilled to see the way our new courthouse development team has rallied to support the Howard County community during the COVID-19 pandemic,” said Brian Dugan, CEO of ESJP. “By contributing through the Community Foundation of Howard County, we know we’re supporting the small and local nonprofit businesses that are so integral to the fabric of our community during times when grant funding and fundraising may be curtailed or impossible because of COVID-19. Plus, these beneficiaries are the very firms currently helping address the needs of Howard County residents and families adversely impacted by the COVID-19 pandemic. We need them in business now more than ever.”

ESJP broke ground on the new courthouse on June 24, 2019. The 238,000-square-foot facility will resolve deficiencies in the existing courthouse, which was built 175 years ago and has developed safety challenges. The new courthouse is scheduled to be completed in July 2021. ESJP is collaborating with Howard County Executive Calvin Ball in the first public-private partnership for Howard County.

The Community Foundation of Howard County serves as a knowledgeable, trusted partner that forges connections between donors and nonprofit organizations to provide impactful investments in Howard County. The foundation has awarded more than $25 million in grants to organizations delivering human service, arts and cultural, educational and civic programs. Money for the grant programs comes primarily from income generated by the foundation’s endowment supported by more than 300 funds established by Howard County businesses, families and individuals. For more information, visit CFHoCo.org or call 410-730-7840.