ANNAPOLIS, MD—Governor Larry Hogan on Thursday announced more than $30 million in Fiscal Year 2020 neighborhood revitalization program awards.
Grants from the Community Legacy program, the Strategic Demolition Fund, the Baltimore Regional Neighborhood Initiative, the National Capital Strategic Economic Development Fund, and the Seed Community Development Anchor Institution Fund will support 181 projects in 23 jurisdictions across Maryland and are anticipated to leverage more than $600 million in private and nonprofit sector funds.
All five revitalization programs are managed by the Maryland Department of Housing and Community Development and support business expansion and retention; streetscape improvements; homeownership and home rehabilitation incentives; commercial improvement programs; mixed-use development, and strategic demolition.
“These awards are about creating economic growth, new jobs, and improving communities for all Marylanders,” said Governor Hogan. “Our administration is proud to support such a diverse slate of important projects that will truly change Maryland for the better.”
Considered one of the state’s most flexible revitalization programs, Community Legacy awarded $6 million to 58 projects in designated Sustainable Communities throughout Maryland. Among others, these include rehabilitation of historic buildings in Frederick County, development of a co-working space in Harford County, and a park overlook in Somerset County.
The Strategic Demolition Fund awarded $5.5 million to 21 projects, including a mixed-use redevelopment in an Opportunity Zone next to Frostburg State University in Allegany County, infrastructure improvements at the Chestertown Business Campus in Kent County, and a community center in Wicomico County.
“Each of these projects makes a huge impact in their communities,” said Secretary Kenneth C. Holt. “With diligent allocation of our neighborhood revitalization resources in response to unique local needs, we are strengthening neighborhoods across the state.”
The Baltimore Regional Neighborhood Initiative and the National Capital Strategic Economic Development Fund, programs designed to support redevelopment in communities within the Baltimore and Capital Beltways, awarded $12.575 million to 80 projects and $4 million to 18 projects, respectively. Projects include property rehabilitation in Anne Arundel County, homeownership incentives in Baltimore City neighborhoods, a community family life center in Baltimore County, and facade improvements in Montgomery and Prince George’s counties.
The Seed Community Development Anchor Institution Fund provides grants and loans to anchor institutions for community development projects in blighted areas of the state. To be eligible for a grant or loan, an institute of higher education or a hospital must provide evidence of matching funds from a private source. The Seed fund awarded $2.5 million to four projects including the Sinai Hospital Center of Hope, a new facility that will house multiple partner agencies responsible for a variety of violence prevention and intervention programs, and a pedestrian/bike trail at MedStar Harbor Hospital in Baltimore City.
Do you value local journalism? Support NottinghamMD.com today.