Grant funding supports structural upgrades for downtown businesses in Berlin
BERLIN, Md.- Once you step into the Worcester County Art Council’s facility, you’re immersed by bold and bright colors from a variety of art forms. Yet, the outside may not reflect what’s inside. The art council hopes grant funding from the Town of Berlin could be the answer.
“The everyday person passing by, or visitor has no idea that we are here,” Mullis said. “We just recently installed a beautiful sidewalk sign to bring awareness and highlight that we are here in this location. I think more needs to be done to speak art out there to people in the community.”
The Worcester County Arts Council has called its current facility home since 1996. Yearly, they see upwards of 4,000 visitors.
Yet, Executive Director Anna Mullis says with age comes the need for expensive repairs. “The funding that we get from the state cannot be used for any capital improvements, so for that reason this funding from the town of Berlin is crucial for us,” Mullis said.
The nonprofit is now one of the town’s 2023 Commercial Façade Grants Program recipients. The program provides matching funds, which cover up to 50% of project costs, for property and business owners to assist with structural upgrades.
The Maryland Department of Housing and Community Development’s Community Legacy Grant helps support the program.
Economic & Community Development Director Ivy Wells says it showing the town’s commitment to investing in downtown. “When people come to Berlin the first thing that they see is what the town looks like. If you have a beautiful building, people will want to check it out to see what kind of shop you have. You only have one chance to make a first impression,” Wells said.
The $12,000 the nonprofit is receiving will increase safety measures with the installation of more lighting and repair its wheelchair ramp. “It really needs repairs. The railings are not functioning. A lot of elder visitors use the ramp all the time,” Mullis said.
“Our goal as an organization is to expand access to the arts, so for that reason we want to show people we are here.”
The arts council says structural upgrades will only help to enhance the charm of the historic building. They were just 1 of 7 recipients in this round of funding.
