Grant awarded to give businesses a facelift
CRISFIELD, Md. – A $100,000 community legacy grant has been awarded to the city of Crisfield. This grant will be divided among ten businesses, with at least half of those funds being used for exterior upgrades.
This new grant money comes as the city is looking to get its fledgling Art and Entertainment District off the ground. That’s why the city is focusing its attention on certain areas.
“This is specifically targeting the Arts and Entertainment District. And within that district, the national historic district, which were standing in right now, so that would be approximately from the post office to the armory,” said Jennifer Merritt, circuit rider for the city.
Officials in Crisfield say they hope this $100,000 grant, the first of its kind in the city, can help begin a revitalization process for downtown areas like the historic district.
“It’ll immediately enhance our appearance. Make us more appealing to visitors and tourists,” said Merritt. “As the businesses complete renovation it can attract new businesses to the area.”
We talked to a few business owners in the area, who opted to stay off camera.
Some were optimistic, saying this could lead to other businesses making more of an effort to clean up their appearance, or attract other businesses. Others were more pessimistic, saying the city has bigger issues that a $100,000 grant can’t fix, that the community needs to make a more concerted effort.
When the city does begin taking applications, they have a list of criteria, with points being awarded for meeting those criteria to decide who gets a share of the pie.
“A solid plan for what they’re going to do with the funds. They have to be able to secure the funds with a lien against their building,” said Merritt. “Minority owned businesses and women owned businesses will be encouraged. Green practices will be encouraged.”
The city will begin taking applications for this grant funding April 1, and will continue accepting them through the end of April. We’re told they will begin appropriating the grant funding shortly after that.
