DHCD announces Main Street MD grants

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The Maryland Department of Housing and Community Development has awarded nearly $1 million in Operating Assistance Grant Program funds for economic development and growth in communities across the state, DHCD Secretary Jake Day announced Wednesday. 

Through the Main Street Improvement Program, $974,000 was awarded to 47 local Main Street Maryland programs across the state, according to DHCD.

Local government agencies and economic development organizations receive and use funding from the Main Street program to advance and promote a community’s downtown and commercial districts – including activities and projects like placemaking, beautification, small business development and related program-area events.

For instance, the Town of Thurmont’s (Frederick County) Main Street program plans to use their award to create an informational walking tour program. Accordingly, Rock Hall’s (Kent County) will use its Main Street program funds to support salaries to hire an inaugural Main Street manager. 

DHCD highlighted that Downtown Sykesville Connection, a nonprofit in Carroll County, will use its grant award to expand inclusive cultural events and programs along the designated Main Street district.

“Great places don’t just happen. They require a potent combination of leadership, density of economic activity, and great design. That is precisely what DHCD in the Moore-Miller Administration is supporting, helping them become great places for residents to live and work – and for tourists to visit and enjoy,” Day said. 

“Main Street Maryland has helped revitalize and grow historic and commercial districts across our state for more than 25 years, and these awards will help 47 diverse communities advance their own unique goals and vision for greatness.”

Through the implementation of Main Street Maryland, local communities across the state have led to the opening of 200 new businesses and 933 full- or part-time jobs created, according to a DHCD statement.