North Laurel/Savage Facade Improvement Grant Program To Beautify Commercial Corridors

HOWARD COUNTY, MD — The North Laurel/Savage Facade Improvement Grant program has launched in Howard County.

Available to businesses in the North Laurel-Savage Sustainable Community area, the program has been designed to revitalize commercial corridors by enhancing the physical appearance of properties and in turn, boosting property values, attracting new investments and creating a more inviting atmosphere for customers and residents, leaders say.

“Through this program, we are providing our local North Laurel-Savage business owners with affordable solutions to maintain and even transform their properties,” said Howard County Executive Calvin Ball. “Since becoming a designated sustainable community this year, Howard County has made numerous strides to improve our Savage community and North Laurel area. We hope that this program continues spurring revitalization along our Route One Corridor, encourage other private investments and historic preservation, reduce commercial vacancy and improve area aesthetics overall.”

Howard County has partnered with the Howard County Economic Development Authority, who recently received $75,000 in funding from the Maryland Department of Housing and Community Development for this state-funded initiative, to administer the program. The program offers grants of up to $20,000 to assist businesses in the eligible area with exterior aesthetic improvements, such as signage, lighting and window upgrades. The program will 100 percent reimbursement for the first $5,000 of eligible and pre-approved project costs and 50 percent reimbursement for total eligible project costs more than $5,000.

“This grant program provides local businesses with an important opportunity to enhance their storefronts and create a more welcoming environment,” said Jennifer Jones, CEO of HCEDA. “By investing in exterior improvements, we hope to help these businesses attract more customers and strengthen the commercial landscape in North Laurel and Savage, which in turn supports the overall growth of Howard County's economy.”

The key objectives of the program include increasing customer foot traffic, improving the safety and functionality of business exteriors, and strengthening the local economy by supporting property upgrades that complement the character of the surrounding community.