Lt. Governor Brown Highlights State Investment in Historic Cambridge Revitalization with Walking Business Tour
O'Malley-Brown Administration Has Invested Over $21 Million in Cambridge Revitalization Efforts
CAMBRIDGE, Md. (July 18, 2012) – Today, Lt. Governor Anthony G. Brown was joined by Cambridge Mayor Victoria Jackson-Stanley, Department of Housing and Community Development (DHCD) Secretary Raymond Skinner, and Department of Planning Secretary Richard Hall for a walking tour of the Historic Cambridge downtown business district to highlight the City’s successful revitalization efforts completed in part with the help of State funding.
The O'Malley-Brown Administration has placed a priority on investing in the creation of new jobs and small businesses in Maryland's historic Main Street communities across the state. Since 2007, DHCD has invested $21.5 million in housing and revitalization projects in Cambridge across 11 of the agency’s programs.
“The revitalization of Historic Cambridge is an exceptional example of state and local governments, businesses, and nonprofits coming together to strengthen our communities,” said Lt. Governor Brown. “Small, local businesses are engines for job creation on the Eastern Shore and throughout Maryland, and Governor O’Malley and I are working to ensure they have the support they need to succeed for years to come.”
“The state’s initiatives like DHCD’s Neighborhood Business Works and Community Legacy and the Maryland Historic Tax Credits programs fosters private sector investment that has been critical to the growth and revitalization of our Main Street corridor,” said Cambridge Mayor Jackson-Stanley. “Additionally, Community Legacy and Community Development Block Grants have enabled the City of Cambridge to leverage tangible and significant improvements in the downtown business and Maple Street Districts that otherwise would not have been realized.”
Today’s tour began at the intersection of High and Spring Streets and proceeded down Poplar Street and Race Street. Over 20 businesses in this three-block stretch have received funding through the Façade Improvement Program. The Lt. Governor made stops at three businesses that have been able to expand through DHCD’s small business lending resources: Novo Development’s High Spot Gastro Pub on High Street; Jimmie & Sook’s Raw Bar and Grill on Poplar Street; and the Joie de Vivre Gallery on Race Street.
"DHCD continues to play a vital role in the economic recovery and the revitalization of main streets all over Maryland,” said Secretary Skinner. “We have been a proud partner to local efforts in supporting small business, enhancing economic development opportunities, and improving the vibrant cultural fabric of Cambridge and look forward to future joint efforts.”
Lt. Governor Brown leads the O’Malley-Brown Administration’s economic development portfolio, having served as Chair of the Joint Legislative and Executive Commission on Oversight of Public-Private Partnerships, leading Maryland’s FastTrack initiative – part of Maryland Made Easy (www.easy.maryland.gov) – to streamline the state permitting process for businesses and developers, and serving as Chair of the Governor’s Subcabinet on Base Realignment and Closure.
