Governor O'Malley Highlights Funding to Revitalize Maryland Communities
Community Legacy Awards Will Enhance Maryland’s Quality of Life;
Dundalk Renaissance Corporation to receive $215,000
BALTIMORE, MD (March 13, 2008) – Governor Martin O’Malley today announced funding that would stimulate reinvestment in and revitalize Maryland’s historic and Main Street communities. Standing at Veterans Park, in the heart of the Dundalk commercial center, Governor O’Malley announced $7 million in Community Legacy awards for 73 projects across the State.
“Even as we face a national economic downturn, we must do all that we can to protect our priorities and enhance our quality of life. Preserving community heritage and economic strength is important for community development and revitalizing the communities in our State,” said Governor O’Malley. “These grants help support local businesses and homeowners in improving and strengthening Maryland’s historic neighborhoods and towns, and improving quality of life for Maryland families.”
The Community Legacy program is administered by the Maryland Department of Housing and Community Development’s (DHCD) Division of Neighborhood Revitalization. Its mission is to provide funding for local economic development activities that stimulate reinvestment and strengthen communities through activities such as business retention and attraction, encouraging homeownership and commercial revitalization.
The Dundalk Renaissance Corporation’s $215,000 award will allow the organization to hire a project manager to manage acquisitions and renovations and homeowner grants as well as provide funds for market-rate renovations to boost home values, promote green design, historic character, and a mixed-income revitalization strategy. Historic Dundalk is one of 18 Main Street Maryland communities and the only one in Baltimore County.
“We are proud to collaborate with localities and improvement organizations such as the DRC,” said DHCD Secretary Raymond A. Skinner. “Today is a great example of how State and local partnerships contribute to neighborhood revitalization, which creates a synergy between commercial and residential projects that result in more vibrant communities all over Maryland.”
In the most recent application round, 49 applications were approved, representing 73 projects totaling $7 million. In addition to the Dundalk Renaissance Corporation, other localities and organizations receiving grants include: the City of Annapolis, Southeast Community Development Corporation, the Town of Thurmont, Havre de Grace, Prince George’s County’s Port Towns Community Development Corporation, Frostburg First and the City of Salisbury.
Community Legacy funding, in the form of grants and loans, is available for projects located in Priority Funding Areas and is meant to compliment and supplement other State funding programs. As part of a competitive application process, communities are required to have and/or develop a comprehensive revitalization plan that specifically identifies projects meant to revitalize transitional neighborhoods and downtowns.
Funded projects included housing acquisition rehabilitation initiatives, creating loan funds for local businesses, streetscape enhancements and façade improvement activities. Awards have been made statewide to a variety of local governments, community development organizations.
The Maryland Department of Housing and Community Development is dedicated to improving the quality of life for Marylanders by working with its partners to revitalize communities, expand affordable housing opportunities, and help preserve homeownership.
