Maryland’s Main Street program fueling growth of small towns across the state

FREDERICK, Md. ( DC News Now ) — Leaders from dozens of Maryland small towns are growing their base of small businesses.

They gathered in Frederick on Tuesday to share their success stories from across the state and how they are fueling economic growth in rural communities.

For more than 25 years, Maryland’s Department of Community and Economic Development has had a program called Main Street Maryland. The program has been so successful that they are taking it to a higher level, partnering with the Maryland Economic Development Administration and state government.

Growing rural communities are finding innovative ways to boost small businesses and market themselves as leisure destinations.

“The program is a framework our communities can use to revitalize their historic downtowns,” said Christine McPherson with Main Street Maryland.

The growing City of Frederick sees results from the program. Kara Norman heads the city’s Downtown Partnership.

“The Main Street program is successful because it is community-driven,” Norman explained. “It is built on what is great about each individual downtown across Maryland.”

“We have over $1 billion in the last 25 years from public and private investment in our downtowns,” said McPherson. “We’ve created more than 4,000 jobs.”

Maryland already has 34 new communities that have thrived through the Main Street program.

“It’s exciting to see the enthusiasm for Main Street programs,” Norman said.

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