
SWVF is a registered 501c3 non-profit organization established to address the economic development of Southwest Baltimore County. A citizen board partners with County and State officials plus other stakeholders to achieve grants and facilitate improvements that benefit the community.
Embracing our heritage while shaping our future
Sustainable Community Designation

October 22, 2021
"The Maryland Department of Housing and Community Development today announced Arbutus has become Maryland’s newest Sustainable Community. With this designation, Arbutus becomes the ninth designation in Baltimore County and 123rd in the state. By earning a Sustainable Community Designation, local governments are provided with a revitalization “toolbox” of state resources including programs, loans, grants and tax credits that can support brick and mortar community projects, small business development, job creation and tourism.
Arbutus’ Sustainable Community Area is in Baltimore County, located south of the University of Maryland, Baltimore County (UMBC) campus and is bordered by Patapsco Valley State Park to the south and west. Arbutus is uniquely positioned and able to serve as a hub for a diverse technology, industrial business community, and provide direct access to major commuter routes such as I-95, I-695, I-895, and I-295, and is six miles from BWI Airport. Additionally, Arbutus is just 20 miles away from the Washington DC Beltway, providing further access to several business communities and federal employment centers.
In addition to the Sustainable Community Designation, Arbutus has been designated as a Local Historic District, a Commercial Revitalization District, a Design Review Area, and a County Enterprise Zone, which all further encourage neighborhood revitalization and economic development. Arbutus’ key outcomes of the new designation include improving stream water quality and increasing the tree canopy, attracting and retaining more businesses such as grocery stores and cafes, creating a more complete bicycle and pedestrian network, encouraging homeownership and promoting relationships between the community and UMBC students and faculty, and lastly, to expand upon the area’s existing assets for the arts."
Arbutus Arts Festival to mark 50 years
www.wmar2news.com
For 50 years, the Arbutus Arts Festival has been celebrating what makes this part of Baltimore County a special place.Fill | 50+ Job and Resource Fair Registration
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Our 50+ Job & Resource Fair is Thursday May 18th from 10:00 - 11:30am at the UMB Community Engagement Center at 16 S. Poppleton Street. We have invited presenters who hire individuals who are 50+, pro...