Recreating Maryland one Main Street at a Time
Christine Williams

Main Street Maryland was formed in 1998 by the Maryland Department of Housing and Community development. This program was created to build up old traditional main streets to enhance economic stability. On Thursday September 16, 2010 I went to the Appalachian Festival held here at Frostburg. I enjoyed the presentation, Main Street Maryland, which was discussed by Frostburg’s Main Street Manager, Maureen T. Brewer.

Brewer spoke about four main points in order to rebuild Frostburg’s Main Street. One point was design; Frostburg needs to build up the appearance of historic buildings. By making the commercial buildings more presentable, consumers will be more likely to come to Frostburg and increase our economic status. Another point was fundraising. In order to enhance design we will need to fund raise. One way to fund raise is with Events. One event Brewer mentioned was “Tasting by Rails,” a wine and beer tasting event which will be held on October 22. Promotion also helps fundraising and increases publicity. Main Street Maryland has over 600 fans on Facebook. They host a lot of annual events that promote publicity; Fun things like a Fall and Spring Art Walk, where local artist present their art creations, and FSU Block Party, which brings local town’s people and Frostburg students together for a fun night filled with tasty food, music, and performances. Another event is of course the Application Festival which brought 4000 people to the Frostburg campus in 2009. While interviewing Brewer she stated, “I love to see students give suggestions. I am proud of the campus. Students bring more life to the town.” Brewer knows students are a large part of the population here at Frostburg that is why she was so impressed when the FSU bookstore was opened on Main Street. This continues to get students off campus and onto Main Street. Fund raising also allows Frostburg Hotels to lower their prices which, in return, it promotes tourism. Another point Brewer made was about organization. Managing a large group like this takes a lot of assistance and teamwork between multiple groups and individuals. Some of the groups involved in Frostburg’s main street are the city of Frostburg, Chamber of Commerce, and Frostburg State University. In order to bring multiply groups together there is board meetings held. The last point Brewer spoke about was CLEAN, SAFE, and GREEN. This is where Main Street Maryland wants to be economically friendly when rebuilding the town. Main Street Frostburg even organizes an event called A Day of Caring and Sharing, where over 200 people come together to help clean up the town.

Investing in Main Street Maryland continues to help the student population here at FSU. The student body will eventually have more job opportunities and will continue to have an increase in events to participate in. Main Street Maryland is an amazing program that is dedicated to helping small communities throughout the state their activities have improved twenty-three Maryland towns and have earned over three million dollars in public and private investments. Main Street Maryland has helped create over one thousand new businesses and about four thousand, two hundred new jobs. They’ve made twelve striving, new businesses in Frostburg alone.

(Brewer standing by the Appalachian Festival event sign)
http://www.facebook.com/home.php?#!/pages/Main-Street-Maryland/131482752504?v=wall&ref=search