Maryland DHCD Awards Maryland Town Manager Circuit Rider Grants
Grants enable smaller communities to hire professional management staff
NEW CARROLLTON, MD — The Maryland Department of Housing and Community Development today announced Fiscal Year 2018 awards for the Maryland Town Manager Circuit Rider Grant Program, a program that enables smaller municipalities to hire professional staff to assist with public administration, financial management, planning, and community development. Mostly operating in rural regions of Maryland, these professional administrators “Ride Circuit” by serving several towns in the same area on a part-time basis. The department has provided $500,000 to four circuits, comprised of 22 towns.
“Many smaller towns have the desire and vision to redevelop their community, but, due to lack of resources, they may not be able to hire the professionals needed to implement that vision,” said Maryland Department of Housing and Community Development Secretary Kenneth C. Holt. “These Circuit Rider Grants create a framework for like-minded municipalities to partner with each other and the state to hire qualified professionals who can provide the skills and guidance to enable these communities to achieve their revitalization goals.”
Under the Maryland Town Manager Circuit Rider Grant program, municipalities, counties, and regional governmental organizations can join together to sponsor a circuit and hire professional staff who serve two or more towns. The department assists the local governments that are applying by developing a work program for the Circuit Rider, preparing the grant application and budget, and recruiting and interviewing the candidates for the position. Once hired, the Circuit Rider professionals provide the town with administrative services, such as reviewing and updating town ordinances, drafting and submitting grant applications, record-keeping, responding to public inquiries on behalf of town officials, assisting with the construction and maintenance of water and wastewater management systems, and developing sustainable community and other revitalization plans.
The Fiscal Year 2018 Maryland Town Manager Circuit Rider Grant Program awardees are:
Circuit Sponsor: Garrett County Community Action Committee, Inc.
Participating Municipalities: Accident, Deer Park, Friendsville, Grantsville, Kitzmiller, Loch Lynn Heights, Mt. Lake Park, Oakland
Award Amount: $72,185
Circuit Sponsor: Maryland Rural Development Corporation, Inc.
Participating Municipalities: Barclay, Betterton, Brookview, Eldorado, Goldsboro, Henderson, Marydel, Templeville
Award Amount: $180,000
Circuit Sponsor: Town of North Brentwood
Participating Municipalities: Colmar Manor, Fairmount Heights, North Brentwood
Award Amount: $150,630
Circuit Sponsor: Wicomico County
Participating Municipalities: Pittsville, Sharptown, Willards
Award Amount: $97,185
TOTAL: $500,000
For more information about the Maryland Town Manager Circuit Rider Grant program, visit http://dhcd.maryland.gov/Communities.
Media Contact
Sara Luell, Director of Communications
sara.luell@maryland.gov, 301-429-7803
