Nearly 50 Baltimore Businesses Awarded Grants Via Governor’s Storefront Improvement Grant Program: $650,000 in Grant Awards Focus on Areas Affected by Civil Unrest

Snake Hill, located in the Highlandtown neighborhood in Southeast Baltimore, was the recipient of a Neighborhood Business Works loan. The exterior is an example of the type of work that will be funded through the Storefront Improvement program, such as expanded storefront windows, new doors, lighting, painting and signage.

BALTIMORE, MD – Today, the Maryland Department of Housing and Community Development announced the awardees of the Hogan administration’s Maryland Business Recovery Storefront Improvement Grant Program. The program aims to improve building and storefront exteriors, enhancing  the visual appeal and marketability of individual buildings and commercial districts affected by the civil unrest in 2015.

In partnership with three nonprofit organizations, the program also includes architectural design and workforce development. The Neighborhood Design Center will help to coordinate architectural design services from firms that will provide “pro-bono” or low-cost architectural designs for businesses approved to participate in the Storefront Improvement Program. The Living Classrooms Foundation and Civic Works will hire and train unemployed and underemployed Baltimore City residents to renovate the storefront exteriors.

“The Storefront Improvement Grant Program will help commercial districts become more attractive places to shop and visit,” said Department Secretary Kenneth C. Holt. “This investment in Baltimore City supports small businesses, which are the engine that powers Maryland’s economy.”

The program received 145 applications requesting grant funds to improve more than 180 individual buildings. Of these, the 26 highest priority projects were chosen for award, which will result in exterior upgrades to nearly 50 businesses. Seventy-three percent of these buildings were in areas of concentrated damage after the civil unrest. Each storefront will receive up to $10,000 in improvements.

Award-winners include pharmacies, community centers, convenience stores, retail stores and other businesses in Fells Point, Highlandtown Main Street, Waverly Main street, Park Heights, Pennsylvania Avenue/West Baltimore, Downtown Baltimore, Southwest Baltimore and Pigtown. See attachment for full list of awardees.

Additional projects will be considered for the program when funds are allocated in the next fiscal year.

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CONTACT: Sara Luell, Director of Communications, sara.luell@maryland.gov, 301-429-7803