ANNAPOLIS, Md. — Governor Wes Moore announced on May 22, 2025, a $37.7 million investment in the Maryland Department of Housing and Community Development’s six State Revitalization Programs to support community revitalization and economic development across Maryland. The funding, part of the Fiscal Year 2026 budget, will fuel projects that enhance neighborhoods, attract businesses, and promote homeownership, with applications opening on May 28.
“The Maryland Department of Housing and Community Development’s State Revitalization Programs are valuable tools in our toolbox to spur economic growth by revitalizing communities, creating homeownership opportunities, and attracting businesses to the state,” said Gov. Moore. “In collaboration with our local partners, we are building a more resilient state from Mountain Maryland to the Eastern Shore.”
The programs support a range of initiatives, including business expansion, façade and streetscape improvements, home rehabilitation, commercial revitalization, community facilities, mixed-use development, and demolition. “Every dollar of State Revitalization Program funds creates $18 in economic activity, flowing directly into neighborhoods and small businesses across the state,” said Maryland Department of Housing and Community Development Secretary Jake Day. “When we invest in critical community development projects, we build great places. And great places win.”
The $37.7 million is allocated across six programs: $5.3 million for the Community Legacy program, which strengthens communities through business retention and homeownership; $5 million for the Maryland Facade Improvement Program, enhancing business district aesthetics; $5.5 million for the Strategic Demolition Fund – Statewide, accelerating economic development; $9.65 million in capital and $499,486 in operating funds for the Baltimore Regional Neighborhood Initiative, supporting Baltimore Beltway redevelopment; $8.6 million in capital and $200,000 in operating funds for the National Capital Strategic Economic Development Fund, targeting Prince George’s and Montgomery counties; and $3 million for the Seed Community Development Anchor Institution Program, aiding projects by higher education institutions and hospitals.
The FY 2026 budget allocated $69 million for State Revitalization Programs, with $32 million reserved by the General Assembly for specific projects. The remaining funds are available for the competitive application round. This follows a $129.5 million investment in FY 2025, which supported 304 projects statewide, including $50 million for the Baltimore Vacants Reinvestment Initiative to transform vacant properties in Baltimore City. The FY 2026 application round for BVRI opened on April 2 and closes on May 23.
Applications for the State Revitalization Programs are due by July 2 at 2:59 p.m. and will also be considered for projected FY 2027 funding. Eligible applicants, including local governments and Community Development Corporations, can apply at https://dhcd.maryland.gov/Communities. Projects must align with a jurisdiction’s Sustainable Communities plan, verifiable through the Neighborhood Revitalization Mapper. Two webinar training sessions for applicants are scheduled for May 28, with registration available at the same website.
Interested applicants should contact a regional project manager to confirm eligibility. The programs prioritize projects that advance sustainable community strategies, ensuring long-term economic and social benefits for Maryland’s diverse regions.
