Maryland Department of Housing and Community Development Secretary Raymond A. Skinner announced today that Centreville was among three municipalities newly designated as Main Street Maryland communities. Created in 1998, Main Street Maryland is a comprehensive downtown revitalization program that is recognized nationally as a model for Smart Growth. “With public and private investment in our traditional commercial districts, we can enable entrepreneurship and job creation in these communities,” said Secretary Skinner.
“Centreville is extremely proud to be selected as part of this nationally recognized program to build on the economic potential of our downtown businesses,” said Centreville Town Council President Tim McCluskey, adding that “I am delighted that the State of Maryland has recognized the Town’s commitment to revitalizing its core business district.”
Centreville is the latest addition, along with Ocean City and Sykesville, to the state’s roster of 23 Main Street Maryland communities in 16 counties. Council Member George “Smokey” Sigler noted that “We have been working on what the Town can do to help its businesses thrive, grow, attract new businesses, and speed economic development. Being the first Main Street designated in Queen Anne’s County is a great step to reinforce these efforts of the Town, our citizens, and our business community.”
“Strong main streets with thriving business districts and neighborhoods are the foundation for healthy, sustainable communities,” said Governor Martin O’Malley. “These three towns will be great additions to the Main Street Maryland program due to their strong commitment to downtown revitalization, and they will surely serve as great examples of Smart, Green & Growing communities.”
The Main Street Maryland Program uses the Main Street Four-Point Approach for commercial revitalization, developed by the National Trust for Historic Preservation’s National Main Street Center. Main Street Maryland also incorporated a Fifth Point: “Clean, Safe, and Green”. The Five Points are:
o Design which enhances the physical appearance of the commercial district by rehabilitating historic buildings, encouraging supportive new construction, developing sensitive design management systems, and long-term planning;
o Organization which seeks to build consensus and cooperation among the many groups and individuals who have a role in the revitalization process;
o Promotion which supports marketing the traditional commercial district’s assets to customers, potential investors, new businesses, local citizens and visitors;
o Economic Restructuring to strengthen the district’s existing economic base while finding ways to expand it to meet new opportunities and challenges from outlying development; and
o Clean, Safe, and Green through which community leaders form “green teams” to promote beautification, water and energy conservation, and other sustainable development practices.
“Centreville Alive! was created three years ago specifically to implement this Five Point approach,” said Kara Snyder, a Main Street business owner and President of Centreville Alive! “We are so happy that this official designation will help with additional resources to continue strengthening our downtown.”
“I could not be more proud of the Town Hall staff and the volunteers of Centreville Alive! for their efforts to keep a dynamic ‘Main Street’ in Centreville,” said Council Vice President Frank Ogens. “This teamwork exemplifies what a community can accomplish by working together.”
To learn more about the Town of Centreville’s economic development plans or to volunteer on a committee for Centreville’s Main Street program, please attend the next Centreville Business Roundtable at 6:00 PM Thursday evening, March 15th, in the Liberty Building, 107 Liberty Street, Second Floor Meeting Room. You can also visit the new, business-friendly Town web site www.TownofCentreville.org, or contact Town Hall by email TownHall@TownofCentreville.org or phone 410-758-1180.