DHCD Secretary Jake Day Kicks Off Department Statewide Tour in Frederick County
Frederick County is the first of the DHCD’s “Day Trips”across Maryland
FREDERICK, MD (September 28, 2023) — Maryland Department of Housing and Community Development Secretary Jake Day visited Frederick County and the City of Frederick today as the first stop on a statewide tour to engage community leaders and local officials. The tour is designed to spark meaningful discussions on how DHCD can work together effectively in the areas of housing, community and economic development, small business support and more.
“These tours will allow DHCD to hear from our stakeholders directly. By learning from our local elected officials, business owners and residents, we can ensure each Maryland community reaches its full potential and that no one is left behind,” said DHCD Secretary Jake Day. “Frederick County and all its municipalities have been great partners with our department. I am pleased to start our statewide tour in one of Maryland’s most vibrant places to see the positive impact of our collaborations up close as we work toward Governor Moore’s vision to win the decade.”
DHCD has provided more than $71 million over the last three fiscal years for projects in Frederick County to increase affordable housing, create safe, lovable places and close the digital divide.
“We were excited to give Secretary Day a glimpse of Frederick County’s innovative economy,” said Frederick County Executive Jessica Fitzwater. “It was a pleasure to discuss ways the Department and the County can expand our current partnerships and identify new opportunities for joint investment to improve our housing market.”
“On behalf of the City of Frederick, I want to extend our thanks to Secretary Day and the Department of Housing and Community Development for visiting Frederick. DHCD’s unwavering commitment to ensuring safe and affordable housing for all residents is the cornerstone of building a thriving community,” said Frederick Mayor Michael O’Connor. “Secretary Day’s visit to Frederick provides a firsthand glimpse into the transformative impact DHCD’s initiatives have on municipalities across the state, and we are proud to showcase our achievements and future opportunities. Together, we are creating a brighter, more inclusive future for our city and the entire state of Maryland.”
The day started with a tour of Cowork Frederick, a collaborative working space located in Downtown Frederick. Following the tour, Secretary Day met with Main Street managers from several of Frederick County’s municipalities. The Main Street Maryland program strengthens the economic development potential in a town’s historic downtown districts and neighborhoods. Main Street designated communities can be found across 20 counties in Maryland.
Later in the day, The Secretary and other officials from DHCD toured sites along the county’s southern corridor and in the City of Frederick. The tour concluded with a roundtable discussion on affordable housing efforts in the county, with a focus on housing challenges for vulnerable populations and future partnership opportunities between state and local governments.
DHCD will continue its tour in November with a visit to Washington County.
