Facade Grants

More Than $300,000 to Baltimore County Businesses

The Baltimore County planning department and Sharon Kihn from the Chesapeake Gateway Chamber of Commerce helped to shepherd more than $300,000 in grants to local businesses. The Overlea Community Association had previously received a $50,000 grant which was folded into State funds to administer to businesses looking to help improve and develop our neighborhoods.

We live along Belair Road which is a Commercial Revitalization District. This designation helps to direct actions including attracting new businesses, upgrading commercial facades, enhancing public safety, improving pedestrian infrastructure, and rebranding the district to encourage patronage. It is the reason the MDOT is pushing to improve traffic, pedestrian safety and business accessibility along the main artery route. It was exciting to see businesses as diverse as a veterinarian clinic, a lounge, a dance studio and a health food store submitting proposals for creative improvements. Signage, lighting, repairs and improvements will be coming to our main streets, making things look nicer around here. An important aspect, aside from the financial investment, is the vision residents and businesses in Overlea have for a brighter future. Daring to imagine the future includes commitment and responsibility. To imagine a future you must commit to your part of it and see it through to completion.

The Hillendale Overlea-Parkville task force meets once a month to listen to the voices of motivated members of our communities to help shape that future. What kind of businesses would we like to attract? Can we establish design standards to help unify our apperance throughout the corridor? Is additional funding available to make this vision achievable? If you have optimism and vision and want to be part of a mission, contact Sharon.Kihn@chesapeakechamber.org to attend our next meeting.