close menu
This website uses cookies to store your accessibility preferences. No personal / identifying information is stored. More info.

Community Development

The Town of Emmitsburg is committed to advancing the image, economy, and quality of life through Community Development.  Infrastructure improvements help provide the basis for economic, aesthetic, environmental quality, and enhanced quality of life. The Town has undertaken several projects to this end, which are described below.

Town Square & Main Street Revitalization Strategy

Beginning in 2012, the Town embarked on revitalizing the Town Square, which is the intersection of Main Street and the Seton Avenues.  With the assistance of professional consultants, a number of stakeholder meetings and design charrettes were held to develop a concept plan for the Square. The Maryland State Highway Administration (SHA) was involved in this process because both thoroughfares are state roads.  Once the conceptual plan was done, SHA agreed to take over the engineering and design. SHA funded most of the work.   The Town, through grant funding provided funding for the project (planters, benches, signage, bricks, etc).   A four-sided vintage style clock was donated by Mount St. Mary’s University in 2014.  The extent of the project was expanded to include replacement of sidewalks and trees on West and East Main Street from Timbermill Run to East North Alley.

Flat Run Bridge
Work commenced on this SHA project during Fall 2016. During construction, there will continue to be two lanes of traffic, with flaggers for traffic control as needed. The bridge will provide pedestrian walkways on both sides, and sidewalks on both sides of MD140, thus providing connections from the downtown area to Silo Hill and Emmit Gardens. 

Sidewalk Connections
In addition to the revitalization project on Main Street, the Town continues to pursue projects that will increase the pedestrian connectivity within the Town and provide safe routes to our schools and parks.   As of Fall 2016, the Town has completed the sidewalks on West Lincoln Ave. between Willow Drive and School Lane; Potomac Ave. between South Seton and Memorial Park; and East Lincoln Ave. between Creamery Rd and South Seton Ave.

During the summer of 2016, the Maryland State Highway Administration replaced and updated sidewalks along South and North Seton Avenues. They now meet current Americans with Disabilities Act requirements, are in greatly improved condition, and extend all the way from FEMA/NETC to Northgate.


Regional Connections

Another goal of the Town is to connect Emmitsburg with locations in Frederick County via a bicycle/pedestrian trail.  Town staff is working with Frederick County and Mount St. Mary’s University to determine possible routes to connect the two entities safely, while also providing an enjoyable experience for users.   In addition, a MD Dept. of Transportation Bikeways grant was received in November 2016 to fund a feasibility study for connecting Emmitsburg to routes that intersect the state line and to existing bicycling opportunities within Frederick County.  


New State of the Art Wastewater Treatment Plant
In July 2015, the Town of Emmitsburg unveiled a new $19.5 million state of the art wastewater treatment plant designed for a treatment capacity of 750,000 gallons.  The plant exceeds all the Maryland Department of the Environment and United States Department of Agriculture requirements.  The power for this plant is provided solely by Phase II of the solar array situated on the same property.

Flow Chart for Sustainable Communities
The Town has participated in several grant opportunities from Maryland Sustainable Communities.  There is a flow chart to display the process.

Local, State & Federal incentives for new business owners
There are tax credits for R
ehabilitated Vacant Commercial Structures Property, Frederick County Historic Districts, Frederick County Small Business.  Loan & public relations assistance are available as well. Check out this details sheet for more information!