BERLIN– Michael Day, one of the Town of Berlin’s most respected officials, will not be going quietly. That is, a community wide retirement party will be held on Wednesday, Oct. 1 for the departing Economic and Community Development director.
The celebration was announced this week in a statement issued this week by Mayor Gee Williams, who recognized Day as one of the architects of the “Coolest Small Town” campaign and “the spark that Berlin needed.”
“Michael has been instrumental in transforming Berlin into a vibrant community with an active downtown,” Williams said. “His work is a big part of why we became America’s Coolest Small Town.”
Day, who announced his retirement in April, began working jointly as a circuit writer in Berlin and Pocomoke in June 2005 after serving on the Salisbury City Council.
In 2009, he became a full-time Berlin employee and was instrumental in securing Berlin’s Main Street status a state-sponsored program designed to strengthen the economic potential of traditional downtown areas. Berlin was award the Maryland Main Street Organization award during its first year in the program.
As a grant writer, Day secured $370,000 in Community Legacy Funds used to convert three downtown warehouses into office and retail spaces and complete numerous façade projects.
“During his tenure with the town, he’s brought in over $100,000 in tourism and promotion grants, which have been tremendously helpful in our economic development efforts,” said Town Administrator Laura Allen.
Day also facilitated the purchase of the Berlin Visitor Center and parking lot in 2011.
“Michael did an amazing job with that purchase,” said Williams. “He even got Gov. (Martin) O’Malley to cut the ribbon when we opened it to the public.”
On Wednesday, the town will host a cake and coffee farewell in Day’s honor at 1:30 p.m. in the Council Chambers at Berlin Town Hall on 10 William Street. The public is invited.
For more information call 410-641-2770 or visit www.berlinmd.gov.
The celebration was announced this week in a statement issued this week by Mayor Gee Williams, who recognized Day as one of the architects of the “Coolest Small Town” campaign and “the spark that Berlin needed.”
“Michael has been instrumental in transforming Berlin into a vibrant community with an active downtown,” Williams said. “His work is a big part of why we became America’s Coolest Small Town.”
Day, who announced his retirement in April, began working jointly as a circuit writer in Berlin and Pocomoke in June 2005 after serving on the Salisbury City Council.
In 2009, he became a full-time Berlin employee and was instrumental in securing Berlin’s Main Street status a state-sponsored program designed to strengthen the economic potential of traditional downtown areas. Berlin was award the Maryland Main Street Organization award during its first year in the program.
As a grant writer, Day secured $370,000 in Community Legacy Funds used to convert three downtown warehouses into office and retail spaces and complete numerous façade projects.
“During his tenure with the town, he’s brought in over $100,000 in tourism and promotion grants, which have been tremendously helpful in our economic development efforts,” said Town Administrator Laura Allen.
Day also facilitated the purchase of the Berlin Visitor Center and parking lot in 2011.
“Michael did an amazing job with that purchase,” said Williams. “He even got Gov. (Martin) O’Malley to cut the ribbon when we opened it to the public.”
On Wednesday, the town will host a cake and coffee farewell in Day’s honor at 1:30 p.m. in the Council Chambers at Berlin Town Hall on 10 William Street. The public is invited.
For more information call 410-641-2770 or visit www.berlinmd.gov.