Maryland Designates Westminster as a Sustainable Community

Westminster joins Aberdeen, Cumberland, Hyattsvile and Laurel in being designated as "sustainable communities" by the Maryland Department of Housing and Community Development (DHCD) and Maryland Department of Planning.

As a designee, Westminster will have access to state funding and resources for a number of projects.

"Existing communities in rural, suburban and urban areas are smart places to grow and focus scarce local and state resources for revitalization," said DHCD Secretary Raymond Skinner in a news release. "The Sustainable Communities program aims at helping existing communities to create clear action plans for revitalization."

A "Sustainable Community Area" designation reflects that a municipality has identified a specific local area in need of revitalization and has created a comprehensive strategy to encourage and guide local investment. The comprehensive Sustainable Community strategy aims to increase economic, transportation and housing choices as well as the quality of the local environment, according to a news release.

"Sustainable Communities strengthens the progress Maryland has made in smart growth and sustainable development," said Maryland Secretary of Planning Richard E. Hall, who chairs the Governor's Smart Growth Subcabinet. "These five designees are demonstrating their commitment to sustainable communities: sound environmental protection, strong local character and sense of community, solid economic development and innovative housing and development strategy. When I talk to people about GrowthPrint and PlanMaryland, these are the types of communities that I describe."

Westminster's proposal calls for connecting parks and open space with a system of trails, pedestrian pathways and bike routes and continuing an upgrade to water and waste water treatment plants. In addition, the city proposes to implement business development strategies, façade improvements and a neighborhood beautification plan. Westminster will complete small-scale affordable and market rate housing projects already underway.

Westminster leaders said they welcome the opportunity to work with the state in moving vital projects forward.

"This designation will allow us to streamline our access to State funding from multiple sources, and eventually win those funds," said Common Council President Damian Halstad.

In addition to being in the Community Legacy and Businessworks programs, Sustainable Community designees also benefit from the following programs:

• Community Legacy Program: Community Legacy provides local governments and community development organizations with funding for essential projects aimed at strengthening communities through activities such as business retention and attraction, encouraging homeownership and commercial revitalization.
• Neighborhood BusinessWorks Program: Loan program provides gap financing, i.e. subordinate financing, to new or expanding small businesses and nonprofit organizations in Sustainable Communities throughout the State.
• MDOT Sidewalk Retrofit Program: This program helps finance the construction and replacement of sidewalks along state highways. The program covers 50 percent of the cost for approved projects. For projects located in a Sustainable Community, the program covers 100 percent of the cost.
• DBED Job Creation Tax Credit: Enhanced incentives are provided in Sustainable Communities. The maximum tax credit rises from $1,000 to $1500 per employee. The threshold to qualify drops from 60 to 25 jobs created.
• Sustainable Communities Tax Credit: (formerly the Maryland Heritage Structure Rehabilitation Tax Credit). Expands the credit (10% commercial credit) to include qualified rehabilitated (non-historic) structures in Sustainable Communities beginning in fiscal 2012. Non-historic structures will be eligible for 10% of the appropriated amount in a fiscal year.