Hogan Helps Main Street Businesses; Annapolis Continues Recovery

ANNAPOLIS, MD — Downtown Annapolis is known for its charming shops and classic restaurants. The local economy relies on foot traffic and nights by the water. Without these staples, the city loses its identity.

That's why local leaders are thrilled with the recent funding to revitalize the Main Street economy. Gov. Larry Hogan announced a multi-million commitment to these business owners on Tuesday. Annapolis entrepreneurs will get a slice of the cake, and some think this money is crucial.

Patch recently partnered with several local organizations to bring you their latest news. This guest contribution comes from the Downtown Annapolis Partnership. Here's what Executive Director Erik Evans wrote about the grant:

"This week Governor Hogan announced $7 million in grant funding for the Maryland Main Street Program, part of the Governor’s Maryland Strong Economic Recovery Initiative (MD-SERI).

This program was funded by the Maryland Department of Housing and Community Development and will be divided among the state’s 33 designated Main Street Maryland communities and Baltimore City’s 8 designated Main Street Community neighborhoods to support the economic recovery of local Main Street businesses and the economic development of their Maryland communities.

As part of today's announcement by Governor Hogan, the Downtown Annapolis Partnership was awarded a MD-SERI Main Street Grant in the amount of $244,000. The Partnership will be administering and re-granting the designated funds to businesses within the Annapolis Main Street area.

This State grant program is in addition to other recent business grants that focused support for restaurants, hotels, tourism, and more. The Downtown Annapolis Partnership will be accepting applications from businesses within the boundaries of the Annapolis Main Street program on its website beginning Monday, March 1st.

Each of these core business districts serve as their respective centers for commerce and community gathering. These Main Street neighborhoods are where communities have shopped, dined, and gathered for holiday celebrations for generations. These towns and neighborhoods often serve as the seat of local governments, courts, and educational institutions.

The Downtown Annapolis Partnership manages the Annapolis designated Main Street Community which consists of the historic downtown Annapolis' core commercial area, including Main Street, Market Space, Dock Street, Compromise Street, Francis Street, State Circle, Maryland Ave, Church Circle, and the first block of West Street.

The organization is a 501(c)3 nonprofit that works with businesses, organizations, residents, and local governments to help strengthen and sustain the local business community, promote historic preservation, and implement programs that draw residents and visitors to the downtown area.

Popular programs managed by the Downtown Annapolis Partnership include Small Business Saturday, Midnight Madness, and Annapolis Restaurant Week. During the pandemic, the Partnership helped create and manage the City’s designated business recovery zones, offered information on free business classes and on grants/loans, and has met on a weekly basis with City officials during the pandemic.

The Partnership’s revamped website has become a popular destination for those wishing to support “buy-local.” The website lists a directory of downtown businesses, including links to their local online stores, online gift cards, carry-out options, and reservations.

"We are excited to have this new opportunity to help downtown Annapolis businesses that have had to constantly readjust their business models to stay safely in business during the COVID pandemic," says Erik Evans the Executive Director of the Downtown Annapolis Partnership.

The organization also plans to have some new marketing programs this spring and summer to support businesses as the vaccine rolls out and COVID numbers keep improving. The first two marketing events will roll out in March promoting restaurants with the Annapolis Oyster Fest (March 1-21) and Annapolis Restaurant Week (March 20-28). Both of these marketing events have options for those that wish to dine-in or carry-out.

The Downtown Annapolis Partnership will also be partnering with others this spring as the weather warms up to promote the Maryland Day Weekend, May Day, and outdoor dining areas. The organization has a resource directory of grants, low-interest loans, and online business courses offered by other partners and organizations.

"Partnerships with other organizations, government, businesses, and residents is a strong part of our success. The primary goal of our Board members is to make downtown Annapolis vibrant, enjoyable and safe for our residents and visitors. In a most challenging year, our town has remained very special, and in many ways been extraordinary in our resilience,” said Matt Schatzle, the Downtown Annapolis Partnership Chairman of the Board.

For more information on the Downtown Annapolis Partnership visit www.DowntownAnnapolisPartnership.org"

Erik Evans

Executive Director

Downtown Annapolis Partnership

Like what you're reading? Invite a friend to subscribe to free Annapolis newsletters and real-time email alerts.

RELATED:

• New Theater Proposed In Annapolis; Leaders Hope To Draw Visitors
• Maryland Day 2021 Will Explore State's History With Hybrid Events
• Super Bowl Deals Drum Up Business For Anne Arundel Restaurants
• Anne Arundel Businesses Expect Travel Spike In Spring, Summer
• MD Businesses Find Hope In Grants, Vaccine Planning
• MD Businesses, Artists Seek Aid As Lawmakers Return To Annapolis
• Anne Arundel Businesses Offer Safe Deals For New Year
• Local Artists Adapt To Pandemic, But They Still Need Your Support
• Thursday Is Last Chance For Festive Shopping Event In Annapolis
• Downtown Annapolis Transformed Into Christmas Town
• Annapolis Invention, Business Creativity Help Shops Stay Open
• With 19 New Businesses Downtown, Annapolis Leaders Say Shop Local

Have a story idea? Please contact me at jacob.baumgart@patch.com with any pitches, tips or questions. Follow me on Twitter @JacobBaumgart and on Facebook @JacobBaumgartJournalist to stay up-to-date with the latest Anne Arundel County and Prince George's County news.