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Department of Housing and Community Development

$21.6 Million in DHCD Investments Highlighted in ‘Day Trip’ to Wicomico County

Secretary Day, County and Salisbury officials celebrate the funding of several housing and community development projects

SALISBURY, MD – Maryland Department of Housing and Community Development Secretary Jake Day celebrated several projects in Salisbury that the department has made significant investments in as part of the latest Day Trip tour stop in Wicomico County.

The Wicomico County tour was the 14th in DHCD’s Day Trip series, which allows Secretary Day and senior staff to meet with local officials, business owners and residents to hear their needs. The visits also provide DHCD staff a chance to see the impact of community projects the department had previously supported.

From Fiscal Year 2020 to 2024, DHCD has provided more than $66 million in financial support for affordable housing, improvements for broadband infrastructure and neighborhood revitalization in Wicomico County.

“As a Salisbury native and resident, Wicomico County will always be a special place for me. I’m proud DHCD continues to have a part in making it a better place for families and business owners,” said Maryland Department of Housing and Community Development Secretary Jake Day. “By working together with local leadership at the county, city and town level, I know that we can achieve the Moore-Miller Administration’s promise to make this Maryland’s Decade here and across our great state.”  

“It is always a pleasure to welcome Secretary Day and his team home to Wicomico County. We enjoy a strong partnership with the Maryland Department of Housing and Community Development,” said Wicomico County Executive Julie Giordano. “Tours like this highlight past and present projects, while granting us the opportunity to engage in productive discussions to move future projects closer to becoming a reality.”

“It was a pleasure having Secretary Day touring the many familiar streets and businesses in Wicomico County, only this time representing the State of Maryland as the Secretary of Housing & Community Development,” said Wicomico County Council President John Cannon. “Secretary Day’s strong suit has always been community development and revitalization and we’re pleased to see his efforts, now from a state perspective, focused on our community once again. Secretary Day has always been a consensus builder and our respective governments always function best when both state and local representatives take the time and make the effort to work together for the betterment of our communities. We’re more than pleased to have Secretary Day, together with Governor Wes Moore, as our dedicated partners in our service to the businesses and citizens of Wicomico County.”

“Salisbury was honored to host Secretary Day in his home city and county for a full day of discussions on Economic Development and Housing. It’s clear that the Moore-Miller Administration is attentive to the needs of Wicomico County,” said Salisbury City Council President D’Shawn Doughty. “I cannot wait to see the continued progress in Salisbury and Wicomico County, especially with partnerships with municipal, county, and state stakeholders working together.”

Secretary Day and Department leadership spent the day in Salisbury, visiting businesses and walking the city’s Main Street area on Tuesday. 

During the tour, Secretary Day presented ceremonial checks to local officials and organizations to celebrate several projects in the Salisbury area that received DHCD funding:

  • TidalHealth Church Street Clinic: DHCD provided $1 million in Seed Community Development Anchor Institution funding to help convert the former Hotel Ester site into a multipurpose care center for underserved communities. 
  • Wicomico County and Simple Fiber: DHCD is providing $1.6 million to Wicomico County to improve broadband in the area from the Office of State Broadband’s Home Stretch program. 
  • SBY Market Center (Lot 30): DHCD has provided more than $18 million in support for the mixed use multifamily housing project.
  • Salisbury Town Center (Lot 1): DHCD has provided $500,000 in Community Legacy funding to the Salisbury Town Center project.
  • Salisbury Small Business Grants: DHCD provided $525,000 in funding for small businesses in Salisbury through several department grants, including Project Restore 2.0, Business Boost and Main Street Improvement.

The day also included two roundtable discussions where Secretary Day and DHCD staff connected directly with area leaders on ways the department can help their communities.

DHCD’s “Day Trip” tour across the state will continue this fall.

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