Cambridge Main Street seeks proposals for vacant storefront revitalization

March 7, 2024

Han Cechini,

CAMBRIDGE, Md. – Empty buildings in downtown Cambridge could use a little love. Entrepreneurs now have an opportunity to be the ones to deliver that TLC. $300,000 is up for grabs, to be distributed to as many as three projects.

Project Restore 2.0

The chance for grant funding comes as part of Project Restore 2.0, a program administered by the Maryland Department of Housing and Community Development. In Cambridge, business leaders are hoping to see the funds put towards revitalizing vacant storefronts.

“What we are ideally looking for is a business who’s interested in a space in downtown Cambridge, or a building owner in downtown Cambridge who has a business, that has explicitly stated that they’re interested in moving into the space,” said Executive Director of Cambridge Main Street, Margaret Knudsen.

Ideal Projects

Knudsen says ideal projects would be those that are shovel-ready. Any project selected to receive the grant funding would need to be complete and open to the public by December 2025.

The more information included in their proposal, the better, says Knudsen. She added that could be cost estimates, or fleshed-out ideas of what the space will look like, once open.

“Anything that can help us sort of visualize what you’re thinking, how you want to move your business forward, and why you want to do that in downtown Cambridge would be great,” Knudsen said.

Lifting Local Business

And, this year’s iteration of the state program could make the application process less daunting for entrepreneurs, says Knudsen. Cambridge Main Street is ready to help ensure success for awardees.

“As opposed to businesses themselves applying directly, they are going to be applying either through their town or municipality, or place-based organizations [like Cambridge Main Street,]” said Knudsen. “Project proposals can come through us, and then we, as Cambridge Main Street, will select proposals that we will include in our application.”

A Win-Win for Cambridge

It’s a win-win for the City of Cambridge, and the entrepreneurs who want to help keep it beautiful, says Knudsen.

“Start-up costs are typically extremely expensive, and also extremely difficult to find funding for. Any sort of opportunity that allows them to be able to keep moving forward, to bring an idea to fruition, is a huge benefit,” said Knudsen. “And for the downtown area, being able to fill vacant spaces with hopefully thriving businesses that are bringing foot traffic and visitors to downtown Cambridge is a huge plus.”

Applications must be submitted to Cambridge Main Street by April 1st. For more information, you can contact the organization at Office@DowntownCambridge.org, or by calling 443-477-0843.