Main Street Maryland is a comprehensive downtown revitalization program created in 1998 by the Maryland Department of Housing and Community Development (DHCD). The program strives to strengthen the economic potential of Maryland’s traditional main streets and neighborhoods. Using a competitive process, Main Street Maryland selects communities who have made a commitment to succeed, and helps them improve the economy, appearance and image of their traditional downtown business districts.

To accomplish Main Street goals, DHCD has partnered with the National Trust for Historic Preservation’s National Main Street Center, which developed the Main Street approach to downtown revitalization. Since 1980, the national program has been implemented in more than 1,700 communities nationwide.

The Main Street Maryland program has helped many communities throughout the State create thriving downtown areas. Leveraging the assistance from the program, governments and local businesses have invested more than $74 million on improvement projects that range from new streetlights to new signs to renovated buildings. The program has resulted in more than 400 new businesses and 1,800 new jobs.

A cabinet-level State agency, DHCD is committed to expanding homeownership and affordable housing opportunities, strengthening and revitalizing communities, and preserving Maryland’s heritage.