Help Save Our Heritage And Secure Our Future
While You Help Your Company

FROZEN POTENTIAL. It looks like it's been perfectly preserved in time but our county's 1884 train station needs a major renovation to once again become an important part of the community.

FUTURE POTENTIAL. Our architect's drawing of how the station will look once it's restored to its former glory.

Here's How Tax Credits Work For Your Company

This is an opportunity to gain a lot of positive press, to generate great community relations, and receive a break from the taxman. By tailoring your corporate-giving toward revitalizing the Oakland Train Station you can acquire unique tax credits that will return to you much of your investment. Plus, Oakland Mayor Asa McCain promises that you or your company's name will appear on a plaque at the revitalized station.

If your company donates $10,000 in cash or goods, after deductions, including the special State of Maryland Tax Certificates, your actual out of pocket cost would be $2,623 while benefitting the station restoration the full $10,000.

If your business pays taxes in the state of Maryland and donates a minimum of $500 in cash, or goods of at least $500 in value, you will receive the special Maryland tax certificates equal to 50 percent of the value of the donation and still be eligible for your standard state and federal deductions. Banks can use this program to meet their Community Re-investment Act requirements.

Please consider participating in this unique opportunity to make our community a better place to live while enhancing your company's image in our region. These incredible tax relief offerings are made possible because the Oakland Train Station revitalization project was recently given a special designation by the Neighborhood Partnership Program of the Maryland Department of Housing and Community Development. Their Division of Neighborhood Revitalization accepted a joint grant request from Garrett Community Action Inc., the Oakland Main Street Program and the Mayor and Town Council of Oakland of up to $50,000 in tax credits.

For more information call Glenn Tolbert, Oakland Main Street Manager at 301-533-4470 or Mayor Asa McCain at Oakland Town Hall at 301-334-2691.

Here's What Your Company Can Do!

Be part of the biggest story in renovation in our region by helping to restore the historic Queen Anne style train station. With your company's assistance, the 1884 structure can once again be a center of activity for our community. (Photos By Glenn Tolbert)

Once Upon A Train Station

There was a time when the train station was the busiest place in town. Local people would drive by just to watch the regular arrival of visitors. And some of those visitors had famous faces. President Ulysses S.Grant or President Benjamin Harrison would alight from their carriages unattended by guards. Neither man was ever pressed for handshakes or autographs. President and Mrs. Grover Cleveland , William McKinley and Buffalo Bill Cody have walked through this building. These were just a few of the faces once seen in the everyday bustle.

Separate Rooms Local lore has it that women had separate waiting rooms from the men. Smoking and Spitting Women may have separated themselves from the men by choice because of the cigar smoking and tobacco chewing.

Now you can help breathe life back into the grand old structure. With your help, the careful crafting of architectural firm of Baldwin and Pennington will once again gleam with community pride. The masonry of 1884 will be the cornerstone of our community's rebirth. Already people from across the nation are coming just to have a chance to see the exterior of this unique building. Experts consider the design to be a most elegant example of Queen Anne style architecture. Its most prominent features are the circular tower topped with a bell-shaped roof, along with the half- timbered gables and fish-scale shingles. Molded brick, stone trim, a slate roof and stained glass combine to create a stately sense of character and refinement. In 1974, the National Register of Historic Places added the station to its list. The building remains one of the most distinguished historic depots in the country. And when current plans are complete the station will become the center of our revitalized community. We're all proud of our station's past. But you haven't seen anything yet!

The best part of the Oakland Train Station's legacy hasn't yet been written. You can be a part of it! Let us help you help our community with this tax credit program.