State of Maryland Announces $6.25-million for Community Development Projects on Eastern Shore

The Eastern Shore counties have received over $6-million through the Maryland’s State Revitalization Programs for 32 projects and activities that promote community development and economic growth in FY 2027. Secretary of Housing and Community Development, Jake Day says that each project advances community-driven priorities that are tied to revitalization goals that will make great places to strengthen economic competitiveness.  Some of those projects are:

• DORCHESTER/Cambridge – University of Maryland Center for Environmental Science – $500,000
  The Packing House Oyster Hub
  Realizing a dynamic center for economic growth, educational innovation, and ecological stewardship, strategically positioned at the Packing House, to include state of the art oyster processing with aligned bio labs and publicly accessible exhibit.
• SOMERSET/Tylerton- Smith Island United – $185,000
  Critical Community Facility in Tylerton
  Construction of a companion building to the Tylerton Fire Department that does not currently have space to house some of its most sensitive equipment, including its boat.
• TALBOT/Easton – Habitat for Humanity Choptank, Inc. – $250,000
  Affordable Housing in Easton
  Funding to support land acquisition to build affordable housing in the Town of Easton in Talbot County.
• WICOMICO/Salisbury – Habitat for Humanity – $100,000
  Closing the Housing Affordability Gap in Marginalized Communities
  Providing down payment assistance subsidies to serve eligible families.
• WORCESTER/Snow Hill – Town of Snow Hill – $150,000
  Bank Street Promenade Project
  Covering conduit materials and installation, utility burial and re-feeding for Delmarva Power, Comcast, and Verizon to existing service locations for the Bank Street Promenade.

Statewide 247 projects in 21 jurisdictions have been awarded $77.3-million.  For a full list of awards, visit FY27 State Revitalization Program Awards.

Additional information from the MD Department of Housing and Community Development:

The state’s six State Revitalization Programs support revitalization and redevelopment projects and activities including: business expansion and retention; façade and streetscape improvements; homeownership and home rehabilitation incentives; commercial improvement programs; community facilities; mixed-use development, and demolition activities. 

“Each one of these projects advances community-driven priorities tied to revitalization goals, and helps make great places – places that strengthen economic competitiveness and that people want to call home,” said Jake Day, Secretary of the Maryland Department of Housing and Community Development. “That investment delivers real returns: For every dollar invested through the Department’s revitalization programs, there’s approximately $17.90 in economic impact.”

Projects in Cecil, Dorchester, Kent, Somerset, Talbot, Wicomico and Worcester counties were selected through a competitively-scored, multi-agency review process used for the State Revitalization Programs. Some of these projects include:

• DORCHESTER/Cambridge – University of Maryland Center for Environmental Science – $500,000
  The Packing House Oyster Hub
  Realizing a dynamic center for economic growth, educational innovation, and ecological stewardship, strategically positioned at the Packing House, to include state of the art oyster processing with aligned bio labs and publicly accessible exhibit.
• SOMERSET/Tylerton- Smith Island United – $185,000
  Critical Community Facility in Tylerton
  Construction of a companion building to the Tylerton Fire Department that does not currently have space to house some of its most sensitive equipment, including its boat.

• SOMERSET/Princess Anne – Town of Princess Anne – $750,000
  Integration of the Perch and Manokin Park
  Demolition of an unsafe building on the Perch property, expanding the alleyway to improve safety, connectivity, and community beauty, creating a safer, more inviting link between Manokin Park and Downtown Princess Anne.

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  SOMERSET/Princess Anne – University of Maryland Eastern Shore – $500,000
  The Perch
  Establishing a vibrant business incubator that will empower local entrepreneurs, stimulate economic development, and foster community engagement through accessible resources and training.

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  TALBOT/Easton – Fello Housing, LLC – $500,000
  Easton Crossing Site Development
  Site development for the upcoming inclusive, mixed-use, mixed-income housing development on the former Perdue Agribusiness industrial site within the Planned Redevelopment area of Downtown Easton.

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  TALBOT/Easton – Habitat for Humanity Choptank, Inc. – $250,000
  Affordable Housing in Easton
  Funding to support land acquisition to build affordable housing in the Town of Easton in Talbot County.

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  TALBOT/Easton – Town of Easton – $320,000
  BAAM Campus: Community Wellness & Opportunity Center
  Create Parking, Storage for Program Materials, Equipment, and Food pantry; Vocational Classroom; Community Garden; Traffic garden that connects with Moton Park providing green space and community wellness opportunities.

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  WICOMICO/Salisbury – Habitat for Humanity – $100,000
  Closing the Housing Affordability Gap in Marginalized Communities
  Providing down payment assistance subsidies to serve eligible families.

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  WICOMICO/Salisbury – Salisbury Area Chamber of Commerce Foundation, Inc. – $170,000
  Lot 16 Pavilion and Riverwalk Crossing, Phase 2
  Infrastructure work to support the reconstruction of Lot 16 to create a mixed use retail/residential building.

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  WICOMICO/Delmar – Town of Delmar – $50,000
  Delmar Façade Improvement Program
  Façade improvements toward commercial properties in the Downtown.

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  WORCESTER/Snow Hill – Town of Snow Hill – $150,000
  Bank Street Promenade Project
  Covering conduit materials and installation, utility burial and re-feeding for Delmarva Power, Comcast, and Verizon to existing service locations for the Bank Street Promenade.

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  WORCESTER/Pocomoke City – Town of Pocomoke City – $50,000
  Downtown Building Facade Program
  Allows commercial property owners the opportunity to receive matching grant funds for exterior upgrades & repairs to their properties located in the Downtown District Sustainable Community.

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  WORCESTER/Ocean City – Ocean City Development Corporation – $150,000
  OCDC Commercial Facade Improvement Program
  Provide funding assistance for exterior improvements of commercial buildings needing revitalization in downtown Ocean City.

The Fiscal Year 2027 State Revitalization Program awards include 247 projects, awarded a total $77.3 million. Projects in 21 of Maryland’s jurisdictions received awards through one or more of the programs. For a full list of awards, visit FY27 State Revitalization Program Awards.