The Municipal Development Consulting Program offers incorporated municipalities in the Upper Shore Region of Maryland access to a consulting firm to provide technical assistance on community development projects that can lead to an enhanced quality of life for residents. The program intends to assist municipalities in conceptualizing, studying, or preparing initiatives that can address various community needs and challenges effectively.

To define community development, the MDCP program will incorporate the definition outlined in the 2008 publication “Asset Building and Community Development” by Gary Paul Green and Anna L. Haines:

“Community development can be understood as a planned effort to build assets that increase the capacity of residents to improve their quality of life. These assets may include several forms of community capital: physical, human, social, financial, environmental, political, and cultural.”

The MDCP Program will make funding available to incorporated municipalities, on a first-come first-served basis, to identify, develop, and advance community assets that can enhance a town’s quality of life. Special emphasis will be placed on assisting municipalities to obtain special designations that are prerequisites for additional sources of funding streams like the Main Street Program and Arts & Entertainment Districts.

Additional considerations will be given to applications whose projects can generate clear metrics that can be tracked long-term to monitor the program’s effectiveness. For instance, if a municipality were to receive funding to support the establishment of an Arts and Entertainment District, tax credits granted to eligible businesses and artists could be tracked to monitor the effectiveness of the program and show how Upper Shore Regional Council funding was leveraged.

Application

Examples of qualifying community development initiatives include but are not limited to:

  • Facade Improvement programs
  • Workforce development and training
  • Real estate development
  • Preparing applications for Main Street accreditation

FAQ

Is there an application deadline?

No. Applications will be on a rolling basis, first come, first served.

How will applications be considered?

Preference will go toward applicants that can lead to additional sources of funding and have clear metrics.

How many applicants will be awarded?

Approximately 6 based on the strength of applications

Who is eligible to apply?

Applicant must be an incorporated municipality in Cecil, Kent, or Queen Anne’s Couny