ELLICOTT CITY, MD — Howard County Executive Calvin Ball has submitted legislation to the Howard County Council to pursue a state designation for Elkridge as a “Maryland Sustainable Community.” The proposed designation advances new opportunities to secure state funding for community and economic development projects that strengthen neighborhoods, support local businesses, expand affordable housing, preserve historic community character, and enhance quality of life for residents.
This designation represents an exciting opportunity to invest in Elkridge’s future while honoring its rich history. As Howard County’s oldest settlement, Elkridge plays an important role in our community’s identity. By pursuing a Maryland Sustainable Community designation, we position ourselves to compete for additional state resources that can help preserve historic landmarks, create safer and more walkable neighborhoods, expand parks and open spaces, and support local businesses. These investments help us build a stronger, more vibrant, and more resilient Elkridge community for current and future generations.
Administered by the Maryland Department of Housing and Community Development (DHCD), Maryland’s Sustainable Communities Program is a place-based designation offering a comprehensive package of state resources that support holistic strategies for community development, revitalization and sustainability. This designation process centers on thoughtful planning and meaningful community engagement.
Over the past several months, the County’s Department of Planning and Zoning’s (DPZ) Division of Comprehensive and Community Planning has worked closely with residents, business owners, community organizations, and other stakeholders to gather data, identify priorities, and develop strategies that support Elkridge’s long-term sustainability. These efforts have informed a five-year Sustainable Community Action Plan that builds on the County’s General Plan, HoCo By Design, and the Route 1 Corridor Plan, while advancing community-driven priorities. The proposed plan focuses on historic preservation, economic development, walkability and pedestrian safety, the creation and enhancement of parks and open spaces, and expanding multimodal transportation and housing options.
The Maryland Sustainable Community designation provides a framework that helps align local priorities with state resources, positioning us to pursue funding for projects that preserve historic assets like the Brumbaugh House, support community facilities like the new Elkridge Community Center, and create a more vibrant and resilient community.
Upon County Council approval of the resolution supporting the proposed plan, staff will submit the application to DHCD for review.
Here’s what others had to say:
- Cathy Hudson, Longtime Resident – “I’ve seen firsthand how Maryland Sustainable Community designation, like those for Ellicott City, North Laurel-Savage, and Long Reach, can help communities access resources that support meaningful revitalization efforts. I am excited by the opportunities this designation could create for Elkridge.”
- Aaron Shapiro, Workgroup Member – “Working together, DPZ staff, community members, local non-profits, residents and businesses on the workgroup discussed important connections that are integral to supporting and building a sustainable community in Elkridge. The proposed Elkridge Sustainable Community application recognizes the unique environmental, historical, economic, human, and cultural resources that make Elkridge a vital and essential part of Howard County’s past, present and future.”
- Judi Olinger, Vice President of Housing Strategy, Fello – “The Sustainable Communities designation is one of the most effective tools Maryland has to advance mixed-income housing. It opens the door to DHCD funding that communities simply can't access otherwise, and it signals that a jurisdiction is ready to invest in its own future. Elkridge completing this process is a real milestone, and we look forward to the opportunities it will create for the community.”
- Coleen West, Executive Director, Howard County Arts Council – “As a member of the work group, I am thrilled to see this application move forward with the County Executive's pre-filing. This designation is a vital step toward preserving Elkridge's rich history while unlocking essential state resources to boost local businesses, enhance public spaces, improve walkability, and ensure a vibrant, eco-friendly future for the Elkridge community.”
To learn more about Howard County’s Sustainable Communities, and to follow the progress of the Elkridge application, visit DPZ’s "Sustainable Communities" website.