Housing and Downtown Revitalization Key Topics During DHCD’s Day Trip Tour to Western Maryland
Secretary Day visits several municipalities during visit to Garrett and Allegany counties
CUMBERLAND, Md. – Maryland Department of Housing and Community Secretary Jake Day spent several days in Garrett and Allegany counties this week to learn how the department can continue to improve housing and economic development in the area.
The tour across parts of Western Maryland brought the total number of stops in DHCD’s Day Trip series to 18. Created in the fall of 2023, the visits bring the department’s leadership together with local officials and other area leaders to discuss community priorities.
The department has invested a combined $115 million into Garrett and Allegany counties over the last four years.
“Western Maryland, like every community in this state, has priorities that are uniquely important to that area,” said Secretary Jake Day. “The time spent in Garrett and Allegany counties the last few days gave us valuable insight on what these communities need while strengthening our local partnerships to find the right solutions together.”
The department’s Western Maryland Day Trip began Tuesday in Garrett County. From Fiscal Year 2020 to 2024, the department invested more than $30 million to provide affordable housing, revitalize neighborhoods and community businesses, and improve internet services in Garrett County.
Throughout the day, Secretary Day was joined by local elected officials and members of the Garrett County Community Action Committee, a nonprofit organization that provides opportunities to individuals, families, and seniors in several areas including asset development, child & family development, community economic development, senior services, service coordination and transportation.
The tour visited several municipalities in the county and highlighted multifamily housing projects in Grantsville, Oakland and Mountain Lake Park, which have received support through HOME and Low Income Housing Tax Credit programs.
“Garrett County was honored to welcome Secretary Jake Day and his team from the Maryland Department of Housing and Community Development,” said Board of Garrett County Commissioners Chairman Paul Edwards. “With the housing market presenting significant challenges for many, Secretary Day’s visit demonstrated his dedication to addressing these concerns. We know that the ability to find and secure housing will improve the quality of life of our citizens and we look forward to continuing our work together.”
“I saw this quote on a banner last week: ‘Movements are born of critical connections, rather than critical mass,’ and it really spoke to me. By taking the time to come to Garrett county to see our work, and to spend time with us, Secretary Day and his team are living out that truth,” said Chis Mullet, President and Chief Executive Officer of Garrett County Community Action Committee. “Solving the housing crisis and fostering community development in a meaningful way will take a movement, and the connections that Secretary Day is forming are essential to the creation of that movement. We are deeply grateful for this opportunity.”
The department’s tour through Western Maryland continued in Allegany County on Wednesday.
In a span from Fiscal Year 2020-24, the department invested nearly $85 million to provide affordable housing, revitalize neighborhoods and community businesses, and improve internet services in Allegany County.
Secretary Day visited downtown areas in both Cumberland and Frostburg and saw how both communities have benefited from the department’s community revitalization funding over the last few years to make each city great places to live and work.
“We’re always thrilled to host our State partners here in Allegany County. Having Secretary Day here in person allows him to see all that is so special about our area and better understand our needs,” said Allegany County Administrator Jason M. Bennett. “We’re always appreciative when our friends take the time to visit, and Wednesday was no different.”
Photos of the department’s Garrett County visit can be found here, while photos from Allegany County can be found here.
More Day Trip tour visits across Maryland are planned for later this fall.
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