All three Harford County municipalities will be recipients of state Community Legacy Program grants announced by the Maryland Department of Housing and Community Development Wednesday.
Havre de Grace will get a $100,000 grant to make landscaping, signage and other beautification improvements at the entrance to the Hatem Bridge and along Superior Street.
The city will also receive a $20,000 grant to develop a living fence of shrubbery and other plants at its downtown water treatment plant.
Aberdeen will get a $50,000 grant for building facade improvements along West Bel Air Avenue in the central business district.
Bel Air will get a $50,000 grant to start a revolving loan fund to help small businesses start or expand in the city. Havre de Grace already has a similar program.
No grants were awarded to Cecil County municipalities in this round.
According to the Department of Housing and Community Development, "Community Legacy provides flexible funding to local governments and community development organizations for essential revitalization projects in existing communities through activities that expand neighborhood business and job development, homeownership investment, commercial revitalization and other activities that support Governor Martin O'Malley's Smart Green & Growing initiative."
A summary of the Harford grants follows:
City of Aberdeen
Amount: $50,000
Project: Facade Improvement Program
Description: Funding for facade improvements to downtown businesses.
Town of Bel Air
Amount: $50,000
Project: Revolving Loan Fund
Description: Establishing a revolving loan fund to encourage downtown revitalization.
City of Havre de Grace
Amount: $100,000
Project: Superior Street/Hatem Bridge Gateway Beautification
Description: Main Street improvements including landscaping, lighting, pocket parks and way-finding signage.
City of Havre de Grace
Amount: $20,000
Project: Phase II Water Treatment Plant Improvements
Description: Installation of a living fence at the city's water treatment plant to create a green, natural downtown feature.