Great Places Win: Maryland Department of Housing and Community Development Celebrates $400,000 in Funding to Gateway Community Development Corporation and Joe’s Movement Emporium
Prince George’s County project final in Great Places Win event series touting Fiscal Year 2025 State Revitalization Program projects
MOUNT RAINIER, MD (June 10, 2025) – Maryland Department of Housing and Community Development Secretary Jake Day today joined officials from Gateway Community Development Corporation, Joe’s Movement Emporium, and the City of Mount Rainier to celebrate $400,000 in State Revitalization Program funding for a stormwater mitigation project that uses public art to enhance awareness of urban stormwater management best practices. The event was the last in a series of five events across the state touting the department’s historic $129.5 million in Fiscal Year 2025 State Revitalization Program awards.
“Joe’s Movement Emporium has transformed a necessary infrastructure project into an opportunity to educate, beautify, and for creative placemaking. This is what it means to create lovable places that serve the community,” said Secretary Day. “Congratulations to the Gateway Community Development Corporation and Joe’s Movement Emporium on this important project for the City of Mount Rainier.”
The stormwater mitigation project contributes to the ongoing revitalization of Downtown Mount Rainier, a designated Main Street Maryland community in the Prince George’s Gateway Arts District, and seeks to become a model for other arts studios, which are typically located in old industrial spaces that can hinder growth of an arts community.
Joe’s Movement Emporium, which opened in 2007 at the site of a vacant 20,000 sq. ft. warehouse, serves more than 70,000 visitors annually through five arts-based youth programs that integrate progressive education, creativity, and youth development. Joe’s is the largest independent performing arts center in Prince George’s County.
“This project is a powerful example of how community partnerships can turn infrastructure challenges into opportunities,” said Michelle Darden-Lee, Executive Director of the Gateway Community Development Corporation. “This investment supports more than infrastructure—it supports people coming together to shape the future of their neighborhoods through collaboration and creativity. Gateway CDC is proud to support a project that positions Mount Rainier as a model for sustainable living.”
“Our organization is grateful for the opportunity to build a model urban stormwater management project for small commercial buildings in historic town centers,” said Brooke Kidd, Executive Director of Joe’s Movement Emporium. “Thanks to Gateway Community Development Corporation and the State of Maryland for support and expertise to help our community be part of environmental stewardship.”
The Fiscal Year 2025 State Revitalization Program awards were announced on Dec. 18, 2024, awarding a total of $129.5 million to 304 projects in every Maryland county – the largest investment through the program in the Department’s history. $20.8 million was provided to local governments and community development organizations through the National Capital Strategic Economic Development Fund for projects supporting commercial and residential activities in areas targeted for revitalization. The funds supported 31 projects, including Joe’s Movement Emporium.
To learn more about the Department’s State Revitalization Programs, visit our website.
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