Initiatives, Programs, Grants
Engaged, Vibrant, & Business Ready
Façade Improvements Grant
The 2024 Essex Façade Improvement Grant aims to stimulate investment in and improvements to building frontages in the Essex commercial district contributing to the economic vitality of the area. The goal is to create an attractive and inviting commercial/retail area that encourages regular use by residents and visitors. This program is funded by a Community Legacy Grant from Maryland’s Department of Housing and Community Development and a Facade Improvement Grant from Baltimore County’s Department of Planning.
Security Cameras Grant
This initiative is being managed by Essex Community Development Corporation and is funded by both a Commercial Revitalization Action Grant through Baltimore County’s Department of Planning and a Community Safety Works Grant through Maryland’s Department of Housing and Community Development. Through the program, we are providing incentives for businesses/non-profits in the Essex Commercial Revitalization District to install security camera systems on the exterior of their property in an effort to improve public safety, deter crime, and assist law enforcement with investigations.
Essex Retail Gap Analysis and Business Retention and Recruitment Plan
Streetscaping Initiative
One of the first projects was to renovate the cafeteria at Our Lady of Mt. Carmel School and repurpose it for the community to use. After that, the beautification phase started small and gained momentum.
People started seeing benches and trash cans throughout the area. They noticed banners along Eastern Blvd. The installation of planters and pots gave Essex a more vibrant look.
In 2022, we started to address the elephant in the room. When entering Essex, people found a stark, cubist structure greeting them. The austere piece was a throwback to the days of the factories and needed a more relevant and welcoming update. First, we removed the huge cubes and replaced them with a more welcoming sculpture, including a lighthouse in its design. The new sculpture expressed a friendly, hopeful message to greet visitors to the area and became a familiar greeting to residents.
While these changes may not seem to constitute the needed transformation, we did get notice from county executives and other parties who had the power to promote the cause and help secure grant funds for Essex. With funds in hand, it was time to get laser-focused on revitalization.
