Elkton Alliance Assisting Main Street Businesses with $50,000 from the State’s Community Legacy Program

As part of the celebration of the Maryland Economic Development Association’s Economic Development Week, the Elkton Alliance Inc. will be recognizing The Coffee Place with their Certificate of Participation for the Alliance’s Residential and Commercial Facade Improvement program.

The Coffee Place’s new owners, grandfather and granddaughter Dwight Hair and Brittany Schwartz, have been awarded $1,500 from the Alliance for exterior improvements, an awning and new signage.  With this award the Alliance has utilized the Maryland Department of Housing and Community Development’s Community Legacy program, to award $50,000, in less than three months,to eight property and business owners in Elkton’s designated Main Street Maryland district.

The facade improvement projects range from $500 to nearly $20,000 and include painting, signage, awnings, window repair and exterior lighting. Since the program requires the property or business owner to contribute at least 50% toward the total project costs, these awards have leveraged $100,000 in improvements to buildings in the downtown.

In addition to The Coffee Place, the following property and/or business owners have also been awarded funds from the Alliance’s facade improvement program: Gallery at 122, Sweets and Treats Bakery, Upper Bay Counseling, Sue’s Quilt Studio, Crouse Brothers HVAC, the apartments at 131 east Main Street and the historic Mitchell House.

For FY16 the Alliance has requested another $50,000 for their facade improvement program from DHCD.  The Alliance already has almost $30,000 in applications ready should they receive the additional funds.