WESTMINSTER, Md. – Maryland Department of Housing and Community Development Secretary Jake Day traveled across Carroll County and viewed the overall impact the department has had on the area during the Department’s Day Trip tour this week.

The visit to Carroll County was the 16th stop in DHCD’s Day Trip series designed to better connect with communities across the state. Secretary Day and other DHCD leadership met with County officials and several municipal leaders and then visited a number of sites in Taneytown and Westminster that have been supported by the department’s various programs.

In a span from Fiscal Year 2020-24, DHCD invested close to $90 million to provide affordable housing, revitalize neighborhoods and community businesses, and improve internet services in Carroll County.

“We communicate closely with our county, municipal, and community partners but the best way to create solutions is not in our offices but by visiting the very places we are working to improve,” said Secretary Jake Day. “What we’ve learned these last two days from public officials, business owners and residents in Carroll County will get us closer to more prosperous communities here and across Maryland.”

“Carroll County was pleased and grateful to host Secretary Day and several of his team members from the Department of Housing and Community Development (DHCD), on Wednesday,” said Carroll County District 1 Commissioner Joseph Vigliotti. “The housing market and cost of affordable housing is difficult, at best, right now, whether it is for first-time homebuyers, senior citizens, or a new home buyer in the county. Knowing Secretary Day and DHCD recognize these concerns and were on hand to discuss possible solutions is reflective of the positive relationship between Carroll County and the state and of Secretary Day’s commitment to Carroll County’s citizens.”

DHCD’s Carroll County visit started Tuesday in Westminster, where Secretary Day met with town officials and toured parts of the city’s historic downtown, which is one of the state’s 34 Main Street Maryland communities. Created in 1998 and managed by DHCD, the Main Street Maryland program builds partnerships with local governments, nonprofit organizations and businesses. 

Secretary Day also visited the Autonomous Robotics Innovation Center (ARIC), a training and educational facility based in Westminster. In the evening, The Secretary met with municipal leaders from across the county, including Sykesville, Mount Airy, New Windsor, Union Bridge and Taneytown.

On Wednesday, DHCD and Carroll County staff visited several places in Taneytown and Westminster. The tour highlighted some of the places that have received support from DHCD, including Taneytown Crossing, a 36-unit mixed-income community providing families an affordable housing option in a Community of Opportunity in the Baltimore region. The project received tax credits from the department.

The tour also stopped at the Westminster Rescue Mission, which provides recovery services in Carroll County and is a recipient of ​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​a Community Development Block Grant. Funded federally and administered in Maryland by DHCD, CDBG helps strengthen communities by expanding affordable housing opportunities, creating jobs, stabilizing neighborhoods and improving the overall quality of life.​

The last part of the tour featured a working lunch with residents and officials at Covalent Spirits in Westminster, followed by a community stakeholders meeting where attendees had the opportunity to ask questions of DHCD staff on various programs the department offers. Secretary Day also presented a ceremonial check celebrating its financial support of Carroll County and its municipalities in Fiscal Year 2024.

Photos from the tour can be found here.

Day Trip tour visits to Garrett and Allegany counties are planned for later in October.