Secretary Jake Day and DHCD Leadership Connect With Local Leaders, Tour Denton During ‘Day Trip’ to Caroline County

Secretary Day, DHCD staff meet with local officials to discuss ways to help residents and business owners

DENTON, MD – (April 10, 2025) Maryland Department of Housing and Community Development Secretary Jake Day toured downtown Denton and heard from local public officials and business owners as part of the latest Day Trip tour stop in Caroline County.

The Caroline County tour was the 19th in DHCD’s Day Trip series, which allows Secretary Day and senior staff to meet with local officials, business owners and residents to learn more about their communities. The visits also provide DHCD staff an opportunity to visit projects the department has supported through its grant and loan programs.

From Fiscal Year 2020 to 2024, DHCD has provided more than $24 million in financial support to improve broadband infrastructure and neighborhood revitalization in Caroline County.

“The best way DHCD can help Marylanders is walking the streets in their neighborhoods, visiting the businesses they operate and talking directly to their public officials to learn what’s affecting their lives,” said Secretary Jake Day. “We’ve enjoyed a good relationship with the leadership of Caroline County and its towns and Wednesday’s visit only reinforced those ties. We will continue together to make Caroline County and Maryland a place that is equitable, robust, and centered on expanding opportunities to work, wages, and wealth.”

“We were glad to have Secretary Jake Day visit Caroline County,” said Travis Breeding, President of the Caroline County Commissioners. “Over the years, we’ve had the opportunity to work together on a number of projects. The relationship we’ve built with him has allowed us to discuss important issues in housing, economic development, and small business support. We look forward to continuing our conversations and exploring ways to move the county forward.”

Secretary Day and department leadership started their visit Wednesday meeting with public officials from Caroline County as well as the towns of Denton, Federalsburg, Hillsboro, Preston and Ridgely.

During the meeting with town officials, Secretary Day presented Hillsboro Commission President Sandy Higdon with a ceremonial check for the Hillsboro Planning Commission’s two State Revitalization Program Awards totaling $145,000. The town will use the money to help home facade improvements and redevelop a vacant historic bank building into a local market and café.

Following an afternoon roundtable discussion with several local business owners, DHCD staff toured Denton’s downtown area. Denton is part of DHCD’s Main Street Maryland Program, which works with local municipalities across the state to strengthen the economic potential of a community’s traditional main streets and neighborhoods.

The day ended with another stakeholders meeting to discuss potential community development collaborations and a tour of the Chesapeake Culinary Arts Center. The center serves as the hub of culinary education and food-centered economic development on Maryland’s Eastern Shore.

More photos of DHCD’s Caroline County tour can be found here.

DHCD’s “Day Trip” tour across the state will continue this spring with a stop in Talbot County.