New Affiliate Program Helps State’s Smaller Towns and Communities Utilize Main Street Maryland Strategies

The Town of Snow Hill is one of the first communities in the state to apply for the new Main Street Affiliate program.

New Carrollton, MD – Designation as a Main Street Maryland community guarantees visitors an authentic taste of Maryland charm – historic architecture, boutique shops, theater, art galleries and one-of-a-kind dining. Twenty-eight carefully selected Maryland communities have qualified for the Main Street Maryland program and many more are clamoring to join.

Now there is an interim step.

The Maryland Department of Housing and Community Development is launching the Main Street Affiliate program to help smaller towns and communities develop downtown revitalization strategies of their own. The program means resource and technical support. For those who want it, affiliate status could be the first step to becoming a full-fledged Main Street Maryland community.

The affiliate program is designed to assist communities with economic development strategies that are at a variety of readiness levels, including:

• Communities that are in the early stages of preparing to submit an application for Main Street Maryland designation.
• Communities that may not be eligible for Main Street Maryland designation, but are interested in addressing local housing and community development challenges through the Main Street approach.

• Participation in the affiliate program helps downtown communities transform themselves by tapping into those assets that make them special using tested principles established by the National Main Street Center.

The Town of Perryville in northeastern Maryland and the Town of Snow Hill on the Eastern Shore are among the first to apply.

“This is an exciting opportunity for the Town of Perryville,” said Mary Ann Skilling, director of planning and zoning for the town that is nestled near the Susquehanna River. “Through the affiliate program, the town will be able to move forward with ideas and get assistance in creating a thriving commercial district to both retain and attract businesses.”

Applications to participate in the affiliate program are accepted on a rolling basis.

Click here for an application and to learn more about the benefits of the Main Street Affiliate program.