Somerset County DHCD Secretary Jake Day’s First Visit in 2024 Statewide Day Trips
CRISFIELD, Md. – Maryland Department of Housing and Community Development Secretary Jake Day visited Somerset County on Tuesday for his first Day Trip of 2024.
The Day Trips tour started in the fall 2023 and the stop in Somerset County is the fifth across the state and the first on Maryland’s Eastern Shore. The visits are designed to allow Secretary Day and DHCD staff to connect with residents, business owners and public officials in person to better understand how the department can improve their communities.
“As an Eastern Shore native, it’s great visiting an area I know so well,” said DHCD Secretary Jake Day. “This department has worked well with the leaders and residents of Crisfield, Princess Anne and throughout Somerset County and I’m happy to see how our investments impact local communities. I look forward to continuing to work with our local partners on our commitment to provide safe, affordable housing and assist with revitalization projects.”
“Somerset County was very honored to have DHCD Secretary Jake Day and his team visit Somerset County, and our administration remains focused on doing all we can do to expand economic opportunity throughout the entire County,” said Somerset County Board of County Commissioner President Charles Laird. “We look forward to continue to foster these partnerships.”
“The City of Crisfield is very grateful to Secretary Day and his DHCD team for making a special stop in Crisfield on their Somerset County Day Trip,” said Crisfield Mayor Darlene Taylor. “Secretary Day’s unique understanding of our specific challenges, and DHCD support has been instrumental in fueling the upward trajectory for Crisfield and I am pleased they will get to see first-hand what their most recent, Armory, Façade, Interpretive Sign, and Low-Income Housing Initiative, grant awards will mean to our community.”
“The Town of Princess Anne is delighted to have DHCD Secretary Jake Day and his team visit Somerset County and see the economic growth that the Town of Princess Anne is currently experiencing,” said Town of Princess Anne Commissioner President Joey Gardner. “Affordable housing also plays a vital role in the Town, and additional quality housing will assist in attraction of new businesses and jobs, while increasing the tax base and bringing additional tourism to the area.”
“Somerset County is committed to foster economic growth and make sure that every individual can find a safe place to work and call home,” said Danny Thompson, Executive Director of the Somerset County Economic Development Commission. “We are pleased to welcome Secretary Jake Day to Somerset County and look forward to sharing ideas and identifying opportunities for collaboration so we can continue to deliver the investments and initiatives that will make our neighborhoods stronger for years to come.”
Over the last four fiscal years, DHCD has provided more than $56 million in funding to Somerset County and its municipalities to increase affordable housing, community revitalization and broadband access.
Tuesday’s tour began in Crisfield, with city officials highlighting some of the projects DHCD has helped improve from state funding.
One stop was at the Crisfield Armory, which recently received a $250,000 Strategic Revitalization Grant for the 2024 Fiscal Year.
The money will help rehabilitate Crisfield Armory and transform it into an entertainment venue and community use space. The facility was severely damaged during Hurricane Sandy in 2012 preventing community use for several years.
Overall, DHCD has provided $1.25 million in funding for the Crisfield Armory in the last four years.
After a community stakeholders meeting in Crisfield, Secretary Day and staff traveled to Princess Anne to meet with town and Somerset County officials about different revitalization projects.
DHCD’s next Day Trips tour stop will be in Charles County.
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