Community Revitalization and Affordable Housing Highlighted in DHCD’s Day Trip to St. Mary’s County

Secretary Day and staff tour Leonardtown, Lexington Park

LEONARDTOWN, MD – Maryland Department of Housing and Community Development Secretary Jake Day visited Leonardtown’s Main Street and parts of Lexington Park on Tuesday during the department’s latest Day Trip stop.

The St. Mary’s County tour was the 13th stop in DHCD’s Day Trip series, which allows Secretary Day and senior staff to meet with local officials and share ways the department can help their communities. 

From Fiscal Year 2020 to 2024, DHCD has provided more than $32 million in financial support for affordable housing, improvements for broadband infrastructure and neighborhood revitalization in St. Mary’s County.

“St. Mary’s County and DHCD have worked well together over the years and I look forward to continued collaboration with our government and community partners here,” said Maryland Department of Housing and Community Development Secretary Jake Day. “Directly connecting with residents, community leaders and business owners today allows us to learn, provide solutions and ensure long-term success for St. Mary’s County and the State of Maryland.”

“St. Mary’s County offers a unique blend of rural character, historic significance, and high-tech industry,” said St. Mary’s County Commissioner President James R. Guy. “We are grateful to Secretary Day, his team, and our local partners for a wonderful visit and their shared commitment to a vibrant Maryland and St. Mary’s. We look forward to continued partnership in addressing key issues such as affordable housing and revitalization, ensuring our community thrives while preserving its distinctive qualities.”

Tuesday’s visit began with a walking tour of Leonardtown. In February, Lt. Gov. Aruna Miller and Secretary Day joined other state and local officials to celebrate Leonardtown’s official designation as a Main Street Maryland community. 

Created in 1998 and managed by the Maryland Department of Housing and Community Development, the Main Street Maryland program builds partnerships with local governments, nonprofit organizations and businesses. In September 2023, the place that touts itself as “A Small Southern Maryland Town that’s Big on Charm” became the first designated Main Street Maryland Community in St. Mary’s County. It is also home to Southern Maryland’s only designated Arts & Entertainment district.

During the tour, Secretary Day presented a ceremonial check officially celebrating recent Main Street Improvement and Project Restore 2.0 grants awarded by DHCD. The grants are designed to spur community revitalization by attracting, retaining and expanding small businesses, as well as through the promotion of local, cultural attractions and events.

Afterward, the tour group traveled to Lexington Park, stopping at Lexwood Apartments before the day ended in Lexington Park with a community stakeholders meeting.

DHCD’s Day Trips series will continue this summer.

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