The Town of Middletown received the Main Street designation in 2009 as both a National and Maryland Main Street community. This means that the Town has committed to support the goals of the Main Street program.

The Main Street program uses a 4-Point Approach to help communities promote their unique assets. The 4 program areas include Design, Economic Development, Promotions, and Organization.

Organization means that we are a separate 501c3 organization. Because so much of what Main Street advocates is related to the Town, Main Street and the Town have a strong working relationship, but we are separate legal entities. Outside of the Main Street Manager, Becky Reich, Main Street Middletown is guided by a volunteer based Board of Trustees.

Design means that we appreciate and advocate for the preservation of the unique buildings and their history in Town. We also work with the Town on the street pole banners, and worked with the Town on the SHA Streetscape Task Force to make recommendations on the style of planters, benches, etc so that visually, a visitor can sense the distinctiveness of our downtown commercial district.

Economic Development means that we want our downtown businesses to know we appreciate them! It is tough work being an entrepreneur. Being a Main Street community, our local businesses have access to special lending programs through the State. Not only that, but we engage in other activities like the Frederick Chamber Business Expo or Frederick County’s Business Appreciation Week to collectively promote the business community.

Promotions means we work to bring people downtown through marketing campaigns, advertisements, and special events. Advertising is expensive. Main Street has access to grant money to provide discounted advertising rates and we pass the savings to the business. We developed the Shop Local Middletown bag and are looking at how we can attract people to not only drive to Middletown but stop, shop, and dine.

Tourism is one of the larger economic drivers in Frederick County. Middletown lies along the Maryland National Road with over 200 years of history as visualized through a wide variety of architecturally significant buildings, has unique shops, places to eat, and friendly people.

Main Street Middletown works to preserve the unique assets of the community while promoting these same attributes to entice visitors to spend some time in what we all know as the most beautiful valley!

For more information about Main Street Middletown, please visit our website at www.mainstreetmiddletown.org or email Becky Axilbund at baxilbund@ci.middletown.md.us