County Executive Pledges Support for Ellicott City's Main Street

Ellicott City is known for having an active Main Street but local leaders including the county executive are hoping to take its recognition to the next level.

"I believe Ellicott City has the best Main Street in the country, and we are going to put resources behind that view," Howard County Executive Ken Ulman said Monday, after he filed a resolution with the County Council to put the county's official stamp of approval on the effort to join the Maryland Main Street program.

For at least a year, Ellicott City has been checking off requirements to achieve designation as a "Main Street Maryland" community.

The Main Street Maryland program, run by the Maryland Department of Housing and Community Development, includes more than 20 communities whose downtown business districts are eligible for state funding and additional community development resources.

Ellicott City was part of the program in the 1990s but its membership lapsed when Main Street wasn't able to keep a full-time employee on staff, Patch previously reported.

Last month a new Main Street manager came on board, addressing one requirement for admission into the program.

In June 2013, historic preservation advocates and business owners joined forces to form the Ellicott City Historic District Partnership, meeting another requirement.

According to Howard County, a letter of support from the local government is a necessity for applying as well. Ulman filed a letter and official resolution to be considered by the County Council at its July 7 meeting.

"This is an exciting step that will help Ellicott City reach the next level," Ulman said.

The resolution will be introduced at the council's July 7 meeting and will be voted on at the July 28 session, according to county spokesman Mark Miller. Soon after, the county will submit its application for Main Street designation and may hear back by September or October, Miller said.

The Main Street Maryland designation would give Ellicott City priority for state funding, technical planning access, orientation for the Main Street manager and membership in the National Main Street Trust Center.

Other Main Streets close to Ellicott City include Annapolis and Westminster.

• Meet New Main Street Manager for Ellicott City
• Ellicott City Moves Closer to Main Street Designation
• New Partnership Looks to Promote Historic District
• County Executive Resolves to Improve Ellicott City