“ The Ellicott City Partnership is a 501(c)3 non-profit organization that works to preserve the heritage and vitality of historic Ellicott City, Maryland while creating and enhancing economic growth. “
Our Team
Board of Directors
Maria Martinez
President
Heather Gaetano
vice president
Julia Sanger
vice president
Mark Hemmis
Treasurer
Maureen Garvey
Secretary
corey mull
Board Member
Ben Barlow
Board Member
Alison Burkowske
BOARD MEMBER
Matt Fleming
Board Member
pam long
board member
Rev. Derek H. Miller
Board Member
dave myers
Board Member
wendy pidell
board member
Brian Sheavly
Board Member
Amanda Hof
Executive Director howard county tourism
Ex Officio Non-Voting
Felix Facchine
Assistant Chief of Staff Office of the County Executive
Ex Officio Non-Voting
STAFF
Chris Pineda
Interim Director Senior Advisor & Compliance Officer
Economic Vitality:
Design:
Promotions:
Organizations:
Clean Safe and Green
ECP Institute: Launching the new economic development workshops geared to educating and retaining our OEC businesses. The institute will better prepare our entrepreneurs, new and current, in topics that are basic and advanced. Be sure to join us in January for the counterfeit training course.
Over $200,000 for OEC Businesses and the district from the Maryland Strong Economic Recovery Initiative (MD-SERI). ECP launched the OEC Main Street Recovery Grant to disburse funds that directly helped the OEC business owners to cover overhead costs.
The ECP advocated at both the department level and our state elected officials to ensure money was disbursed as soon as possible from MD-SERI.
ECP fundraised over $5,000 in 2020 to re-launch and disburse the OEC Bucks. Through the success of gaining funds, we were able to bring the program back and reinvest the funding into the community after a challenging pandemic year. We have successfully relaunched the program for 2021 to incentivize supporting our small businesses in historic Ellicott City.
Over $29,000 in OEC Technology ($15K) and Business Interruption Grants ($14K). 2 Grant separate grant programs that were tied directly through ECP Operating funds and fundraising at large. The funds were the initial step to ensuring the retention of our OEC businesses through the initial impacts of the COVID-19 pandemic.
#HereToStay Project: We launched the Here to Stay Project with our business owners who have been here for over 3 years. The project helps us spotlight those businesses and their dedication to being part of the historic district. Businesses within the series have included Little Market Cafe, Georgia Grace Cafe, Su Casa, and more.
OEC Open For Business Video: Spotlighted on Fox45 and through media campaigns, the ECP exemplified that Old Ellicott City is open for business. The video shows the safety measures taken by the business community, the ability to shop, dine and explore while doing it safely in our town.
Created and maintained a COVID-19 Taskforce which gathered information and resources during the fast-changing environment the pandemic has caused. The team of volunteers along with staff ensured we were monitoring trends and changes and relayed the information back to our merchants and visitors.
Advocated for the Courthouse Hill Campus rezoning to ensure that economic growth continues to take place among the campus and the surrounding businesses. The ECP supported the use for creative and exciting use, a smart approach to mixed-use space, and the approach of attracting independent commercial tenants that could coexist with the existing tenants of Courthouse Hill and the historic district.
Serve as a key stakeholder for the Ellicott City Project Advisory Committee tackling redevelopment of Courthouse Hill, the renovation of the projects taking place on Lower Main Street, and the redesign of Tiber Park.
Wrote and requested a $100,000.00 Community Legacy Grant from the State of Maryland for the historic district. Funds would have assisted the businesses with façade and interior improvements. (Not Approved). ECP has re-applied for 2022.
Wrote and requested a $7,000.00 Maryland Heritage Area Authority Grant to fund a directory board project. (Not Approved).
Wrote a grant through Patapsco Heritage Greenway (PHG) to fund the directory board project in 2022. PHG has approved a $2,500 grant to assist with the project.
Requested $25,000.00 in County funding to implement a sound system throughout the entire district, which would amplify music regularly and announce special and emergency announcements to visitors (Not Approved)
Requested $14,000.00 in County funding for a Phase I: Wayfinding Signage, which would begin to be implemented on Main Street. Signage would highlight important amenities the district offers. (Not Approved)
Advocated to the County Government to approve the return of the OEC Clock to Lower Main Street. The ECP would fully fund and oversee the project. (Not Approved)
Advocated to the County Government to approve a mural to be added to the former Tea on the Tiber building. The ECP would fully fund and oversee the project. The mural was intended to be a selfie postcard location, which incorporated the history of the town and current components. (Not Approved)
Purple Main: Partnered with Pam Long Photography to implement the Purple Main event. Purple Main was a community pep rally to support our home team, the Baltimore Ravens! Through Purple Main, Old Ellicott City received earned media from WMAR 2 News, WBAL 11 News, WJZ 13, FOX45, and additional publications and news outlets.
Safely returned some of OEC events including Girls Night Outs and Shop Small Saturday in 2020
Restructured the 2020 Midnight Madness to include a virtual and in-person component (picture with CE)
Implemented the first Hometown Hero program in OEC and displayed flags throughout the town for Independence Day. The new banners are displayed on the bridge, located at Lower Main.
Purchased a 14’ Christmas Tree to be displayed for the 2021 and future holidays in Old Ellicott City.
Successfully implemented a strong and safe 2021 Main Street Music Festival which was inclusive of the entire Old Ellicott City community. A strong marketing campaign reaching over 30,000 people in days through marketing, and bringing thousands of visitors the entire Music Fest day. The ECP funded temporary shuttles to transport patrons from all of the auxiliary lots into town, contracted bands at the Wine Bin stage, Main Stage, and at the B&O Railroad.
Implemented two new Night Markets, with the strategy focusing on Lower Main Street. Both Night Markets were successful and executed placemaking strategies onto Tiber Park & Tiber Alley.
Engaged with media partners to continue promoting the district through partnerships at WMAR2 News, WBAL11 News, CBS13 News, and FOX45 Morning News. All opportunities which have been earned media.
Launched the Shop Here Shop Now campaign in lieu of Shop Late Shop Local due to the pandemic challenges. Highlighted the importance of shopping in Old Ellicott City and how it impacts the local economy.
Invested ECP operating funds to market the town in magazines, publications, and social media ads.
Have reduced ECP operating costs by over $50,000.00 due to challenges faced by the pandemic.
Requested and Awarded a $50,000 grant in County funding for operating support, to ensure the OEC Main Street Program and the ECP continue to operate. Funding helps the ECP continue to offset partial operating costs.
Re-evaluated and restructured the Ambassadorship Program – coming January 2022.
Hosted business owners meeting monthly, to ensure stakeholder feedback continues to be collected, and those businesses are informed of the ECPs’ business
Successfully continued to promote the new OEC Businesses with a warm and welcoming ribbon-cutting, as well as celebrating milestones of those established in our community. Some of those businesses include Thomas at the Times, Big Little Cheese, the reopening of the Clayground Studio & Gallery, and more.
Continued to invest in those community partners, for projects that can assist them in creating and executing a successful event through in-kind donations. 2021: Wizarding Weekend and Ellicott Silly.
Continued to maintain the Main Street America designation and accredited community.
Have engaged with strategic planning and fundraising consultants to best find opportunities of growth among the organization. (Not Complete Due to Budget Cuts)
Adopted a drain through the Howard County EcoWorks program.
Hosted two community clean-ups; one in the spring and another in the fall.
Continued to decorate and beautify the district with holiday decorations, which in return brings visitors to experience Old Ellicott City.
The ECP is in the final stages of becoming a Keep America Beautiful accredited organization.
ONGOING INITIATIVES:
Promote OEC and the 100+ small businesses through website, newsletter, social media campaigns and outside marketing opportunities
Annually host two music festivals, three Girls Night Out, Mardi Gras on Main, Trick or Treat on Main, Shop Small Saturday and Midnight Madness that attract over 20,000 happy visitors to town
Support and promote hundreds of smaller events each year including OEC Pride, Concerts in the Courtyard, Ellicott Silly Comedy Festival, Outdoor Summer Movie Series, Paint It! Plein Air, Yappy Hour, Wizarding Weekend, Howl-O-Ween and History & Ghost tours
Partner with Howard EcoWorks to host community clean up events
Bring together OEC Business Owners for monthly meetings to share information on upcoming events and campaigns, educate on resources for small businesses, and encourage community discussion
Maintain Main Street Maryland designation
PREVIOUS ACCOMPLISHMENTS:
Funded the return of the visitor spending incentive, Holiday Bucks program in December 2022 and created a new OEC Bucks program for January 2023
Created grant opportunity and distributed $50,000 for facade and interior improvements to OEC businesses in 2022
Raised $70,000 for new way finding signs in 2022
Launched a new custom website featuring full event calendar, online business directory and interactive maps in 2022
Secured $20,000 for 75 new trees and pollinator habitat improvement in 2022
Raised and distributed $220,000 to OEC businesses and property owners for COVID relief in 2021
Provided over $1.8 MILLION in flood recovery grants to Old Ellicott City businesses and property owners in 2016 and 2018
