ANNAPOLIS, MD — Governor Wes Moore today announced $69.5 million in Fiscal Year 2026 awards to support six state revitalization programs administered by the Maryland Department of Housing and Community Development. The investment in county and municipal governments, community development organizations, and other community institutions and partners will fund 226 projects and activities that directly support local revitalization goals in Maryland’s disinvested communities across the state.
“In order to build a Maryland that is more resilient, more affordable, and more competitive, we have to start at the local level,”
said Gov. Moore. “Across Maryland, these investments will fuel local visions, strengthen small businesses, expand housing options, and lay the groundwork for long-term prosperity. This is how we grow an economy that lifts everyone, and this is how we win the decade.”
Awards through the programs will help support revitalization and redevelopment projects and activities, including: business expansion and retention; façade and streetscape improvements; homeownership and home rehabilitation incentives; commercial improvement programs; community facilities; mixed-use development, and demolition activities.
This morning, the governor joined the Board of Public Works for the approval of $26,480,000 of awards through four of the six programs: $9,780,000 through the Baltimore Regional Neighborhood Initiative, $5,000,000 through the Business Façade Improvement Program, $8,700,000 through the National Capital Strategic Economic Development Fund, and $3,000,000 through the Seed Community Development Anchor Institution Fund to a total of 130 projects.
Of the $69.5 million in grants announced today, $40.2 million will be awarded to projects in
Just Communities across Maryland. Just Communities—
made official by Governor Moore on Juneteenth this year—are
designated areas identified through data and history where the state is intentionally directing investment to repair past harms, reduce disparities, and create equitable opportunities for residents.
“When we invest in the character, vitality, and potential of our communities, we unlock new opportunities for the people who live and work there. We know that when we invest in great places, Great Places Win,”
said Maryland Department of Housing and Community Development Secretary Jake Day. “These projects will strengthen local economies and support thriving, lovable communities. We’re proud to stand with our partners across the state as we build great places in partnership.”
The
Strategic Demolition Fund, a statewide program aimed at catalyzing activities that accelerate economic development in existing Maryland communities, awarded $10 million to 25 projects, including:
- Acquisition of key downtown properties for arts revitalization, supporting economic growth, education, tourism, and community enrichment (Oakland, Garrett County);
- Design and rehabilitation of St. Marks Pump Station and increased sanitary sewer capacity for new construction affordable housing communities (Waldorf, Charles County);
- Infrastructure work to support the reconstruction of Lot 16 to create a mixed use retail/residential building (Salisbury, Wicomico County);
- Site development for the upcoming inclusive, mixed-use, mixed-income housing development on the former Perdue Agribusiness industrial site within the Planned Redevelopment area of Easton (Easton, Talbot County);
- Realizing a dynamic center for economic growth, educational innovation, and ecological stewardship, strategically positioned at the Packing House, to include state of the art oyster processing with aligned bio labs and publicly accessible exhibits (Cambridge, Dorchester County).
- Providing essential repairs and accessibility modifications that helps elderly homeowners in Baltimore City stay in their homes longer;
- Rehabilitating the Delta Community Center in the Park Heights community;
- Mini-grants to help small, priority minority-owned businesses upgrade interior spaces, reduce vacancy, and improve customer experience along the York Corridor;
- Transforming a key Hollins Market corner into a vibrant community anchor with a fresh food café, care suite, and co-working space, reviving long-vacant historic buildings, and creating jobs, wellness access, and social connection in Southwest Baltimore;
- Building a Workforce Development Makerspace that will transform the historic 14-acre Pikesville Armory;
- Construction of the 211 W 28th Street Public Park, a 13,000 sq ft community focal point in Remington, with an urban tree canopy expansion, stormwater management, and public art highlighting Baltimore's buried streams.
- Providing competitive down payment assistance funding in order to strengthen community neighborhoods, reduce commutes, and continue to improve the economy (College Park, Prince George’s County);
- Construction and rehab of a railroad themed playground and new splash pad (Upper Marlboro, Prince George’s County);
- Acquisition, architectural and engineering for the predevelopment of 50 apartment homes for low-income households (Hyattsville, Prince George’s County);
- Providing free repairs, accessibility modifications and energy efficiency upgrades for home rehabilitation and revitalization for low-income households (Gaithersburg, Montgomery County);
- Demolition of the former Elizabeth House Apartments in preparation for the fourth and final phase of Housing Opportunities Commission apartments in Elizabeth Square (Silver Spring, Montgomery County).
Community Legacy awarded more than $8 million to 38 projects in designated Sustainable Communities throughout Maryland. Some of these projects include:
- Removing old, outdated equipment at 4th Street Park and replacing it with an open green space and walking trail for park users (Denton, Caroline County);
- Renovation to increase the number of housing units for men experiencing homelessness, making the units more energy efficient to maintain affordability (New Market, Frederick County);
- Construction of a new 5,200 square foot building to house the Foundation of H.O.P.E., including classrooms for the Economic Development and Empowerment Afterschool Program, office space, community space, teaching kitchen, and private office spaces (Easton, Talbot County);
- Rehabilitation of spaces for two child care centers at Walbrook Junction and Edmondson Village and the Meals on Wheels’ new headquarters behind Edmondson Village Shopping Center (Baltimore City);
- Building a 12-home affordable and energy-efficient neighborhood for low-income families on Camper Street (Cambridge, Dorchester County).
Additionally, $10 million in grants and loans were provided to higher education institutions and hospitals by the
Seed Community Development Anchor Institution Fund for community development projects in disinvested areas of the state. The funds supported 9 projects, including:
- Construction and capital equipping of the new IonQ Headquarters (College Park, Prince George’s County);
- Construction of a comprehensive dental suite, procedure room, x-ray, lab, and sterilization area to enable students and faculty to provide holistic dental care (Baltimore City);
- Construction of a joint University of Maryland, Baltimore-Downtown Partnership of Baltimore facility to enhance public safety, real-time response, and coordinated outreach through shared infrastructure, data integration, and multi-agency operations (Baltimore City);
- Creating a dynamic center for economic growth, educational innovation, and ecological stewardship, strategically positioned at the Packing House, to include state of the art oyster processing with aligned bio labs and a publicly accessible exhibit (Cambridge, Dorchester County);
- Demolition of the former Wicomico County Library and construction of a new Performing Arts Center including a theater, dance studio, recital hall, classrooms, and support spaces (Salisbury, Wicomico County).
The
Maryland Façade Improvement Program awarded $5 million to 47 communities. Funds will be used to enhance the character and attractiveness of local business districts by improving the exterior façades of buildings and facilities.
For more information about the Maryland Department of Housing and Community Development and its revitalization programs, please visit its
website.
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