Our Projects
Workforce Housing Development
Projects identified during the 2024 Feasibility Study:
Rehab Projects: Pilot rehabilitation projects in the communities with the goal of building/renovating a home or commercial property that would be affordable to local working families living between 60 and 120 percent of the county’s median wage. Assess the list of vacant homes in each priority community as to the feasibility for rehabilitation and/or demolition and removal.
Land Acquisition or Disposition: Aim to work with the community and local governments to pinpoint underused public assets suitable for affordable housing projects. Land swaps or direct sales, with developers committed to affordable housing, are also under consideration.
Conversion of Commercial/Residential Properties: Transform commercial spaces, particularly those in decline, into housing units, incubator space, or mixed-use community facility, as zoning regulations allow.
Technical Assistance: Developers can anticipate additional support in their affordable housing efforts through training sessions, workshops, and expert consultancy, ensuring they're equipped with the knowledge and resources to succeed.
Advocate for Incentive Programs: Work with County and municipal governments to develop tax incentives and infrastructure grant programs aimed at developers to encourage development. The primary goal is to ensure a certain percentage of new housing units fall within the affordable workforce housing bracket.
Advocate for Land Use Control Reforms & Zoning Changes: Work with Local organizations to advocate for municipalities and/or policymakers to reevaluate several land-use regulations to promote higher-density mixed-use developments through land use reforms. This includes reassessing policies related to parking, building height, and lot coverage to make room for denser, mixed-use projects. Also, adjustments to standards like minimum unit size and lot sizes will be considered to facilitate the creation of smaller, affordable housing units. Municipalities should also consider the potential to rezone commercial and light industrial regions to permit mixed-use developments, which would include housing. It is important to this initiative to involve the community in discussions to ensure that changes resonate with the needs and aspirations of residents. Community opposition or NIMBYism should be anticipated and can potentially be mitigated through engaging the community in rezoning discussions, ensuring that developments resonate with the needs of residents.
Promote Adaptive Reuse: Introduce revitalization and infrastructure grants for non-profits and developers looking to repurpose vacant commercial buildings into housing and mixed-use facilities. The permitting process for such projects should be streamlined for adaptive reuse, and pre-approved floor plans to tackle regulatory hurdles.
Promote Accessory Dwelling Units (ADUs) and Tiny Homes: The municipalities and county should consider adding ADUs and Tiny Homes to their Zoning regulations. To increase the number of ADUs and Tiny homes, incentive programs targeting homeowners could be crafted and the introduction of pre-approved ADU/Tiny Home floor plans would enable a fast-track approval process.
Initial Housing Size: Focus will be given to having an emphasis on creating smaller units (400sq ft – 1150sq ft).
Economic Empowerment
Potential Projects:
Solar Power Project Installation: Holler to Hilltop Revival Corp could spearhead solar power installations by building the local workforce and businesses to install sub-utility scale solar installations. They could identify suitable locations for solar panels, such as rooftops of public buildings or open land, and perform the installation process. Additionally, Holler to Hilltop Revival Corp could organize educational campaigns to inform residents and businesses about the benefits of solar energy.
Building Envelope Energy Efficiency Improvement and Weatherization: To improve energy efficiency in buildings, Holler to Hilltop Revival Corp could incubate businesses and conduct workforce development focused on weatherization and building envelope enhancements. This could involve conducting energy audits to identify areas for improvement, providing grants or low-interest loans for upgrades, and coordinating with contractors to perform the necessary work. Holler to Hilltop Revival Corp could also offer workshops and resources to educate property owners on best practices for energy efficiency and the long-term savings associated with these improvements.
Mine land Reclamation, Remediation, and Enhancement: Holler to Hilltop Revival Corp could lead efforts to reclaim and remediate former mining sites, transforming them into valuable community assets. This could involve collaborating with environmental experts to assess the sites, develop remediation plans, and secure funding for the projects. Holler to Hilltop Revival Corp could also engage the community in the planning process, ensuring that the reclaimed land meets local needs and preferences, such as creating green spaces, wildlife habitats, or recreational areas.
Landfill Site Enhancement to Outdoor Recreation Park: Transforming the County’s current landfill site, which is scheduled for closure in the next few years, into an outdoor recreation park could provide the opportunity for new business development and employment opportunities. Holler to Hilltop Revival Corp would work with environmental engineers to ensure the site is safe for public use and develop a comprehensive plan for the park's design and amenities. This could include trails, playgrounds, picnic areas, and sports facilities. Holler to Hilltop Revival Corp could also seek funding from government grants, private donations, and community fundraising efforts to support the project.
Off-Road Vehicle Park and Trail Development: To develop an off-road vehicle park and trail system, Holler to Hilltop Revival Corp could collaborate with local enthusiasts, landowners, and environmental groups to identify suitable locations and design the trails. They could secure permits and funding for the project, ensuring that the trails are environmentally sustainable and meet safety standards. Holler to Hilltop Revival Corp could also promote the park as a tourist attraction, boosting local businesses and creating job opportunities.
Local Agricultural Cooperative for Processing, Aggregation, and Distribution: Holler to Hilltop Revival Corp could support local agriculture by establishing a cooperative that focuses on processing, aggregating, and distributing local produce. This could involve providing infrastructure such as processing facilities, storage, and transportation. Holler to Hilltop Revival Corp could also facilitate partnerships between farmers, retailers, local school agricultural programs and consumers to create a robust local food system. Additionally, they could offer training and resources to farmers and the school agricultural programs on best practices for sustainable agriculture and marketing their products.
Youth and Family Programs
AmeriCorps Distribution Center – AmeriCorps will be integral to the success of this initiative. Garrett County is a low-income community, and many students can benefit from AmeriCorps’ opportunities to earn money for college while contributing to the community. Through this partnership, students will gain valuable experience in collecting, sorting, and distributing donated items, as well as in organizational management.
Child Care Training Programs