The 2025 Main Street Maryland Conference was held October 7–8 in downtown Easton, Maryland, a town celebrated for its historic Main Street roots. The conference was co-hosted by the Maryland Department of Housing and Community Development (DHCD) and the Maryland Economic Development Association (MEDA).
This year’s theme, “Great Places Win: Powering People, Places, and Possibility,” emphasized the importance of investing in vibrant, historic downtowns as engines of community and economic strength.
DED Participation
The two-day conference featured meaningful participation from the City of Frederick’s Department of Economic Development (DED). Throughout the event, DED team members joined state and local partners for presentations, tours, networking, and strategy sessions focused on strengthening Maryland’s Main Streets and downtown districts. The emcee for the two days was Kennedi Wilson, DED Business Development Specialist, who guided the program throughout the conference. In the opening session, Richard Griffin, Director of Economic Development, delivered welcoming remarks, setting the tone and framing the conference’s theme around placemaking, downtown revitalization, and collaboration. Morning programming also included sentiments from Megan Cook, Mayor of Easton, and a keynote speech from Main Street America President, Erin Barnes.
Secretary’s Panel
One of the highlight sessions was the “Secretary’s Panel,” which had senior officials from DHCD and other state agencies discussing policy, program updates, and how they’re working to support Main Street-type districts. The discussion reinforced that effective downtown revitalization depends on strong coordination and collaboration between state support and local implementation.
An Evening with Lt. Aruna Miller
The evening program with Lieutenant Governor Aruna Miller offered an inspiring and conversational close to the day. Drawing on her own experience in local government, Lt. Governor Miller spoke about the power of place-based economic development and encouraged Main Street managers and downtown leaders to pursue bold partnerships rooted in equity and long-term sustainability.
Touring Easton
The 2025 Main Street Maryland Conference utilized several iconic venues throughout downtown Easton, all within easy walking distance, allowing attendees to experience firsthand the town's vibrant downtown atmosphere.
Waterfowl Building
Once the Maryland National Guard Armory, the Waterfowl Building is now home to the annual Waterfowl Festival and serves as a community hub for various events. During the conference, it hosted several sessions, providing attendees with a glimpse into Easton's rich history and community spirit.
Avalon Theatre
The Avalon Theatre, a historic Art Deco venue built in 1921, has been a cornerstone of Easton's cultural scene. It has hosted numerous performances and events over the years, making it a fitting location for conference sessions that focused on arts and culture in downtown revitalization.
Eastern Shore Land Conservancy (ESLC)
The ESLC, dedicated to preserving the Eastern Shore's natural resources, provided a backdrop for discussions on sustainable development and environmental considerations in Main Street revitalization efforts.
A featured highlight was the progressive Small-Plate Stroll through Easton’s downtown — a curated dining experience, where attendees moved between restaurants, sampling small-plates and exploring local flavor.
Key Takeaways
The 2025 Main Street Maryland Conference highlighted both the opportunities and challenges inherent in revitalizing downtown districts. Speakers emphasized the importance of leveraging existing assets — from historic architecture and walkable streets to thriving local businesses — rather than trying to reinvent communities from scratch. At the same time, participants acknowledged ongoing challenges, including funding constraints, parking and access issues in historic areas, and the need to balance preservation with modernization while ensuring downtowns remain resilient to economic shifts. Beyond the sessions themselves, the conference reinforced the value of networking and peer learning, allowing Main Street leaders to share strategies and insights from their own communities. Above all, the event reflected this year’s theme, “Great Places Win,” demonstrating that investing in vibrant, well-supported downtowns is not only a cultural priority but a strategic advantage for municipalities across Maryland.
Join us in making great places even greater by investing in the economic development of Frederick. Learn more about Main Street Maryland Conference.
Photo Credit: Alyssa Maloof, MEDA, DED