COMMUNITY LEGACY (CL) provides funding for local economic development
activities that stimulate reinvestment and strengthen neighborhoods throughout
Maryland.
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Community Legacy funding has been the
cornerstone of the Ocean City Development
Corporation’s efforts to revitalize the historic
downtown by combining façade & streetscape
improvements with strategic land acquisition.
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Community Legacy provides local governments and community development
organizations with funding for essential projects aimed at strengthening
communities through activities such as business retention and attraction,
encouraging homeownership and commercial revitalization.
Funding, in the form of grants and loans, is available for projects located in Priority Funding Areas and is meant to compliment and
supplement
other State funding programs. As part of a competitive application
process, communities are required to have and/or develop a comprehensive
revitalization plan that specifically identifies projects meant to revitalize
blighted areas.
WHO CAN APPLY
Once a community’s comprehensive revitalization plan has been approved and
designated a Community Legacy Area, the following entities may then apply for
project funding:
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Local governments
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Community development organizations (for example: county councils, community
development corporations, main street organizations, downtown partnerships)
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Groups of local governments sharing a common purpose or goal
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ELIGIBLE PROJECTS
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Projects should capitalize on the strengths of a community and be part of a
larger strategy to revitalize a declining area. Projects/activities typically
include, but are not limited to:
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Mixed-use development consisting of residential, commercial and/or open space
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Business retention, expansion and attraction initiatives
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Streetscape improvements
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Increasing homeownership and home rehabilitation among residents
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Residential and commercial façade improvement programs
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Real estate acquisition, including land banking, and strategic demolition
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Establishing funds to provide loan guarantees and credit enhancement to
leverage other public or private financing
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| APPLICATION
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Community Legacy has an annual funding round. Please check back for dates of the next application round. Training is mandatory for those who have either never applied to the Community Legacy Program before or for those who have never applied electronically. Anyone wishing to attend the training as a refresher course is welcome to attend. If your representative is unable to attend one of the mandatory training sessions and you would like to apply, consult with Kevin Baynes 410-209-5823 or email baynes@mdhousing.org
Staff members from several State agencies review and evaluate submitted applications. The Community Legacy Board, which is chaired by the Secretary of the Maryland Department of Housing and Community Development, and includes the Secretaries of the Department of Natural Resources, the Department of Planning and the Department of Transportation, determines the final awardees.
Note: The applications below are for reference only. Applications must be
submitted electronically and only after attending the application training.
Online Application
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The City of Cumberland has
consistently utilized Community Legacy
funds to create a dynamic and thriving central downtown business district.
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ADDITIONAL FUNDING
RESOURCE |
Neighborhood Intervention is an additional funding tool within Community
Legacy. It does not require a comprehensive revitalization plan or designation
as a Community Legacy Area and has three components, each with a separate
application:
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Community Development Financial Institution (CDFI) provides flexible capital resources to CDFIs and their partners to purchase and redevelop dilapidated properties in otherwise stable neighborhoods.
Sample CDFI FY 2008 application(PDF)
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Neighborhood Intervention Demolition provides funding to local governments to demolish properties, within otherwise stable neighborhoods, that are dangerous for use or occupancy and that are so deteriorated that rehabilitation is not feasible.
Sample Demo FY 2008 application (PDF)
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Redevelopment Ready provides funding to local governments for strategic demolition to stimulate redevelopment.
Sample RR FY 2008 application (PDF)
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FOR MORE INFORMATION
Frequently Asked
Questions (FAQs)
Community Legacy Project Managers are designated for each Maryland County and may be contacted directly to provide technical assistance to a community currently receiving funding or interested in funding.
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Baltimore Development Corporation received a Community Legacy grant to help renovate the Belvedere Square Market. In the 1940s the Belvedere Avenue Shopping Center was a popular shopping destination, but over the years experienced neglect and inactivity. The newly renovated Belvedere Market is once again entertaining customers with its 12,000 Square Feet, European-style setting, and offering meals geared toward any taste. Belvedere Market is an integral part of Belvedere Square, which also features eclectic restaurants and an array of shops.
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- Jenifer Almond
Allegany, Frederick, Garrett and Washington
(410) - 209 - 5803
almond@mdhousing.org
- Larry Brown
Baltimore City
(410) - 209 - 5819
brownL@mdhousing.org
- Jenny Hope
Anne Arundel, Baltimore County, Carroll, Cecil, Harford, Howard, and Montgomery
(410) - 209 - 5825
hope@mdhousing.org
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Veronica Owens
Prince George’s
(410) - 209 - 5820
owens@mdhousing.org
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Valerie Carpenter
Assistant Director
Calvert, Caroline, Charles, Dorchester, Kent, Queen Anne’s, St. Mary’s Somerset, Talbot, Wicomico and Worcester
(410) – 209- 5829
Carpenter@mdhousing.org
- Kevin Baynes
Director
(410) - 209 - 5823
baynes@mdhousing.org
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