Virginia Avenue Revitalization

The City of Cumberland’s Department of Economic Development is now accepting applications for two available programs in association with the revitalization efforts for the Virginia Avenue corridor.   These awards will be offered to qualifying low to moderate income persons whose owner occupied property is in need of exterior repair or replacement (i.e. roofing, painting, window, or door replacement).

The Home Improvement Match Grant program will award up to $4,500 per applicant for any exterior repair or replacement along the Virginia Avenue Area Targeted for Revitalization (VAATR) district.   Applicants will be required to match the grant with at least $500.

The Virginia Avenue Façade Grant program will award up to $2,000 per applicant and encompasses the same type of exterior repair or replacement, as well as streetscape façade improvements.  There is no matching grant requirement for this funding source.

Both grant sources are financed in part by the State of Maryland Department of Community Development Block Grant program from the U.S. Department of Housing and urban Development (HUD) and are being administered by the City of Cumberland’s Economic Development offices.  Applications are available immediately by contacting Terri Bennett at 301-722-4173 or by stopping by either 137 Virginia Avenue (State Farm Building) Monday through Wednesday from 9:00 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. or at 113 Baltimore Street (Western Maryland Business Resource Center) anytime between the hours of 8:30 a.m. and 4:30 p.m.   To be eligible, projects must be located within the boundaries of the VAATR District.   Maps are available upon request or by visiting the City’s website at www.ci.cumberland.md.us. 
Grants are provided to qualifying homeowners who meet the standards for low to moderate income.  Community Development Block Grant funds both complement and supplement existing State programs.
Contact:
Terri Bennett, Department of Economic Development, City of Cumberland, 301-722-4173, 301-722-4155 (fax), discovercumberland@allconet.org.