The EZ program provides real property and state income tax credits for businesses located in a Maryland Enterprise Zone in return for job creation and investments. Businesses located in Focus Areas, which are specific boundaries of an EZ, may be also qualified for personal property tax credits on new investment in personal property and enhanced income tax credit for creating new jobs. Learn more.
Baltimore City offers personal property tax credit to grocery stores locating or making significant renovations within targeted areas in the city. Learn more.
A nationwide initiative administered by the U.S. Department of Treasury, the program provides federal tax incentives for investment in distressed communities over the next 10 years. Enhanced tax credits are available for several of the Maryland Department of Commerce's tax credit programs for businesses located in federal Opportunity Zones that meet certain requirements. Learn more.
BDC has several different loan programs to assist businesses with financing for capital projects, working capital, business acquisition, leasehold improvements, and purchase of furniture, fixtures, machinery & equipment. If you are interested in our loan program, please fill out the intake form.
A foreign-trade zone (FTZ) is a federally designated area located within the United States, yet considered “outside” of U. S. Custom’s territory for the purposes of assessing and collecting import duties and taxes. FTZs provides economic incentives to companies importing or exporting international goods. The Baltimore Development Corporation (BDC) serves as administrator of the Foreign Trade Zone (FTZ) on behalf of Baltimore City and surrounding counties. Learn more.
City-wide Façade Improvement Grant program (FIG) provides funds to make exterior improvements to commercial and industrial properties. The grants are to be used to enhance the appearance of individual building façades, signs and awnings, and other exterior improvements. Both businesses and property owners are eligible. Learn more.
State of Maryland program, which provides an investor with income tax credits equal to 33% or 50% of an eligible investment in a Qualified Maryland Biotechnology Company (QMBC), supporting investment in seed and early stage biotech companies. Learn more.
State of Maryland program, which provides incentives including tax credits, loans and grants for the redevelopment of eligible brownfield properties in participating jurisdictions. Learn more.
State of Maryland program, which provides an income tax credit of 50% of the purchase price for Maryland companies with 50 or fewer employees that purchase cybersecurity goods, products or services from Qualified Maryland Cybersecurity Sellers (QMCS). Learn more.
Data centers that locate or expand in Maryland and create new full-time positions may receive an exemption from Maryland sales and use tax on the purchase of qualified data center personal property. Learn more.
State of Maryland program, which provides income tax credits for expenses related to federal security clearance costs, construction of Sensitive Compartmented Information Facilities (SCIFs) and first-year leasing costs for small businesses doing security-based contract work. Learn more.
State of Maryland program, which provides an investor with income tax credits equal to 33% or 50% of an eligible investment in a Qualified Maryland Technology Company (QMTC), supporting investment in seed and early stage technology companies in designated industries. Learn more.
Businesses that create a minimum number of new full-time positions may be entitled to state income tax credits of up to $3,000 per job or $5,000 per job in a "revitalization area" from the State of Maryland. Learn more.
A business entity in Maryland may claim a tax credit in an amount equal to 50% of the cost of providing qualified commuter benefits to their employees. The credit may not exceed $100 per individual employee per month. Learn more.
State of Maryland program, which provides new and existing manufacturers and businesses that locate or expand in a Maryland Opportunity Zone with tax incentives tied to job creation for a 10-year period, including a refundable income tax credit, and for manufacturers, encourages additional investment in new equipment through accelerated and bonus depreciation. Learn more.
Businesses that invest in an economic development project in a Tier 1 County and create a minimum number of new jobs may qualify for a State income tax credit up to $5 million depending on the number of jobs and amount of eligible costs. Learn more.
Businesses that have qualified R&D expenditures in Maryland may qualify for the Growth R&D Tax Credit. Learn more.
Refundable tax credit available to small businesses that provide their employees with paid sick and safe leave. Learn more.
State of Maryland program, which funds grants, loans and investments to support economic development initiatives in priority funding areas of the state. Uses include business attraction and retention, infrastructure support, brownfield redevelopment, revolving loan funds and local strategic planning. Learn more.
Administered by UMBC and funded by the State of Maryland, MTIP helps Maryland retain top talent by offering financial assistance to technology-based businesses, as well as state and local agencies, to hire more interns. Learn more.
NIIF is a public-private partnership, which provides funding to benefit historically disinvested neighborhoods in Baltimore. Learn more.
BDC offers an Outdoor Spaces Grant to assist business owners with the cost of installing outdoor seating, parklets, landscaping, and other features that enhance a business’ use of outdoor space. Both businesses and property owners are eligible. Learn more.
The State of Maryland, City of Baltimore, and counties impacted by the Key Bridge collapse are evaluating the impact on the local business community. If your business has been impacted, please complete this survey to help provide a better understanding of the situation, so the state, city and counties can help develop targeted solutions to address the specific, diverse needs of the business community. Currently available resources can be found here.
The ‘Buy Into Bmore’ Fixed Pricing Program is a sales program for specific City-owned vacant buildings and lots. The program is being implemented in the following phases:
Phase One (April 1 - July 1) - Prioritized forBaltimore City residents committing to restoring and living in the home as aprimary residence.
Phase Two (beginningApril 15) - Identifies properties not yet owned by the City whereapplicants have a legacy or familial interest.
Phase Three (beginning July 1) - Includesfuture homeowners, community land trusts,non-profit and for-profit developers.
PHASE THREE - Fixed Pricing Developer, Non Profit and Community Land Trust Submissions
This program will apply to properties that fall within the E-J Housing Market Typology. You may also review the Buy Into Baltimore Mapping Tool to find properties that align with the typologies above. Visit Baltimore City’s Department of Housing & Community Development to learn more about the ‘BuyIntoBmore’ Fixed Pricing Program, FAQs can be found here.
Open Access is open-source, entirely free platform for community development and small business associations, lenders, cities and counties, and local government agencies to help small business entrepreneurs—particularly BIPOC food entrepreneurs—find the full range of technical assistance and lending opportunities near them. This open-source demonstration portal includes generic and cross-cutting information ready for Baltimore's use, provided by Baltimore City Planning Department inside of their Food Policy and Planning Initiatives. To use the tool click here.
The Mayor's Office of Small and Minority Business Advocacy & Development (SMBA&D) was created to support the various needs of small and minority businesses in Baltimore City. They have crafted a variety of tools to assist small businesses with navigating city processes and approvals, as well as tool to help with starting a business or planning for sustainable growth. The Small Business Resource Center (SBRC) is a one-Stop-Shop for persons seeking to start and grow a business. They provide training, counseling and resources to strengthen the entrepreneurial ecosystem. Below are some of the specific tools their office has made available for public use:
Baltimore Business Guides: View the industry specific business guides for more information.
SizeUp Baltimore: A powerful GIS tool that can help with demographic data, market research, and business planning.
MBE/WBE Certification: The SBRC offers one-on-one assistance with the certification process. Please reach out their office directly at info@baltimoresourcelink.com.
The SEED Program will allow qualifying businesses to invest more of their resources in their own operations by reducing BGE’s charges for service extensions and temporarily decreasing energy distribution charges. All businesses located in Enterprise Zones, Sustainability Communities, Opportunity Zones. These reductions can help businesses grow, expand, hire and ultimately contribute to a stronger economy.
BGE’s SEED Program offers eligible commercial customers:
