EASTON, MD – Maryland Department of Housing and Community Development Secretary Jake Day visited Easton and celebrated two important announcements during the latest Day Trip tour stop in Talbot County.
The Talbot County tour was the 20th in DHCD’s Day Trip series, which was created as an opportunity for DHCD leadership to speak with local officials and other leaders in their home communities. The visits also allow department officials the chance to see projects supported through DHCD’s grant and loan programs.
Photo Courtesy Maryland Department of Housing and Community Development
“Talbot County and the Town of Easton are great examples of what Maryland communities can achieve when state and local officials, business owners and residents work together, ” said DHCD Secretary Jake Day. “From supporting Easton’s thriving downtown to achieving a major milestone in broadband connectivity across Talbot County, DHCD and the Moore-Miller Administration are proud of what we have helped accomplish here and look forward to continuing a successful partnership.”
“We want to thank Secretary Jake Day for visiting Talbot County and spending time with our community. It means a lot to have leaders who truly listen and understand the challenges we face, especially when it comes to housing, economic development, and supporting small businesses,” said Talbot County Council Member Keasha Haythe. “These are real issues that impact our families every day, and I’m hopeful for the work we can do together to make a difference.”
From Fiscal Year 2020 to 2025, DHCD has provided more than $34 million in financial support to improve broadband infrastructure, revitalize neighborhoods and create homeless solutions in Talbot County.
Over the last five years, DHCD has invested $11.1 million into Talbot County through DHCD’s Office of Statewide Broadband. During Wednesday’s tour, Secretary Day presented a $1.1 million broadband “Difficult to Serve Properties” award to Talbot County and Easton Utilities. The $1.1 million pivots Talbot County to become the first county in Maryland to reach 100 percent connectivity to broadband services, not including Baltimore City.
Photo Courtesy Maryland Department of Housing and Community Development
Earlier in the day, DHCD officials stopped at the Avalon Theater in Easton, where Secretary Day announced that Easton will serve as host of the 2025 Main Street Maryland conference. The event, first held in 2024 in Frederick, brings together economic development professionals, community leaders, and Main Street practitioners from across Maryland to share knowledge, best practices, and inspiring stories.
Main Street Maryland is a key DHCD program for community development and revitalization in Maryland’s historic downtowns.
The tour also went to Doverbrook Apartments, which received financial support from DHCD to create a multi-unit affordable housing project in Easton, and The Market at Dover Station. An upscale art and design market featuring found goods, original art and local craftsmanship, the converted site benefited from DHCD’s State Revitalization Program funding.
Photo Courtesy Maryland Department of Housing and Community Development
The Housing on the Hill rehabilitation initiative was also visited by staff. The project, which involves full renovation of four homes in Easton, was funded by a federal Community Development Block Grant awarded by DHCD.
The tour concluded with a roundtable discussion with community stakeholders where DHCD officials were able to share solutions to different housing and economic challenges facing Talbot County.
More photos of the Talbot County Tour can be found here. The Day Trips series will continue later this year.
