By Robert Sobus
Baltimore Watchdog Staff Writer
Reisterstown in Baltimore County and Williamsport in Washington County have each received a special state designation that qualifies them for state assistance in renovating their central business districts, the governor’s office announced Friday.
The designation, which is part of a program called Main Street Maryland, will provide each town with technical assistance, training, and information about state and federal grants that can be used to help the communities enhance the physical appearance of their main streets by rehabilitating historic buildings and supporting new construction.
“This is good for us,” Reisterstown resident Bill Lowery said in an interview. “After the pandemic from the coronavirus this may help smaller shops keep their doors open.”
The program was created in 1998 and is run by the Maryland Department of Housing and Community Development.
To qualify, a community must have at least 1,000 residents and a walkable central business district with “a significant number of historic commercial buildings,” according to the program’s website.
Communities can only receive the state assistance if they employ a program manager to run the downtown renovation project. They must also maintain a volunteer committee to oversee progress toward main street improvements and commit to a sustainable program budget.
In exchange, the state will provide orientation and professional development sessions for the program manager so he or she has the training necessary to supervise the revitalization.
State officials would also help the community develop a plan for the future, provide assistance for architectural design and historic preservation, and provide training on how to best revitalize a commercial district. The state also educates local officials about state and federal grants that can be used to pay for some of the work. Towns can also get help marketing their downtown districts.
“It’s a very good thing for Williamsport, and I think the people of Williamsport will appreciate it,” said Susie Kershner, the owner of River City Farms & Pet Supply on Milestone Terrace in Williamsport. “It’s a nice little town and we can always use customers.”
Reisterstown becomes only the second designated Maryland Main Street in Baltimore County. Dundalk is the other town. Reisterstown was founded in 1758 and was added to the National Register Historic District in 1979.
Williamsport is the second town in Washington County to receive the designation. There are 31 Main Street Maryland communities in the state.
“Main Streets are the heart of our communities and these designations are the result of a strategic focus on local revitalization,” Hogan said in a statement. “These communities have made great efforts to support small businesses and improve their neighborhood economy while celebrating their cultural character and history.”
Main Street Maryland provides for communities through volunteer work. Volunteers have worked nearly 800,000 hours since the program was established.
Through redevelopment activities, Main Street Maryland has supported approximately 3,200 new and expanding businesses, has created more than 11,600 jobs, leveraged nearly $4 million in private investment as well as $3.6 million in public investments for nearly 1,400 projects, the governor’s office said.
The new Main Street Maryland communities are expected to have an impact in the community.
“We are pleased to add Reisterstown and Williamsport as our newest Main Street Maryland designees,” Maryland Department of Housing and Community Development Secretary Kenneth Holt said in a statement. “They join 31 vibrant communities that exemplify the impact of place-based, community-driven comprehensive revitalization efforts in our great state.”