Bel Air commissioners approve Main Street Maryland designation letter for downtown alliance

The Bel Air Board of Town Commissioners voted Tuesday to approve a designation letter enabling the Bel Air Downtown Alliance to participate in the Main Street Maryland program administered by the Maryland Department of Housing and Community Development.

Commissioner Hanley moved that “the Maryland Department of Housing and Community Development Main Street Maryland program agreement for designated communities with the Bel Air Downtown Alliance Incorporated be approved by the Bel Air Board of Town Commissioners.” Commissioner Foss seconded the motion, and Mr. Krantz called the roll; each commissioner present voted in favor and the board approved the letter.

Angela, a town staff member, told the board the designation is an annual partnership that pairs a local downtown alliance with the state program. “It is a feather in our cap to have designated Maryland Main Street and to have Jenny Earhart at the head of that organization for us,” Angela said, noting the partnership supports economic vitality and that funds raised at downtown events are returned to the community to help promote and develop the downtown area.

The town serves as the governmental partner required for Main Street Maryland participation, Angela said, and the approved letter allows the Downtown Alliance to complete the state paperwork. The board did not receive public comment on the item at the meeting.

The approval authorizes the administrative step of signing and submitting the designation letter so the Bel Air Downtown Alliance can proceed with the Main Street Maryland program; no ordinance, appropriation, or other regulatory change was adopted at the meeting.

The board then moved on to commissioners’ remarks and other business before voting to enter a closed session later in the evening.