Incentives & Assistance Programs

Incentives & Assistance Programs

Baltimore City and the State of Maryland have various programs for businesses, which can help reduce costs. Below is a searchable list of incentives and assistance programs available to businesses. 
Programs and assistance provided by the Baltimore Development Corporation include grants, loans, navigating city agencies and license & permitting processes as well as help in identifying tax credits and incentives and technical assistance for real estate projects.  
If you are seeking funding for your business, BDC has created a tool to help identify investment capital in Baltimore City. Please click here.
 If you have questions or need more information, please contact us at info@BaltimoreDevelopment.com.
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Program Name
Program Type
Industry
Description
Incentives
Program Name:
Enterprise Zone (EZ) and EZ Focus Area
Program Type:
Tax Credit
Industry:
General
Location-Based
Real Estate Development
Description:

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.

Program Name:
Grocery Store Tax Credit
Program Type:
Tax Credit
Industry:
Grocery Stores
Real Estate Development
Description:

Baltimore City offers personal property tax credit to grocery stores locating or making significant renovations within targeted areas in the city. Learn more.

Program Name:
Opportunity Zones
Program Type:
Tax Incentive
Industry:
General
Location-Based
Real Estate Development
Description:

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.

Program Name:
BDC Loans
Program Type:
Loan
Industry:
General
Description:

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.

Program Name:
Foreign Trade Zone
Program Type:
Assistance Program
Industry:
Location-Based
General
Description:

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.

Program Name:
Facade Improvement Grant (FIG)
Program Type:
Grant
Industry:
General
Real Estate Development
Description:

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.

Program Name:
Biotechnology Investment Incentive Tax Credit
Program Type:
Tax Credit
Industry:
Biotechnology
Description:

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.

Program Name:
Brownfields Tax Incentive
Program Type:
Tax Credit
Industry:
General
Real Estate Development
Description:

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.

Program Name:
Buy Maryland Cybersecurity (BMC) Tax Credit
Program Type:
Tax Credit
Industry:
Cybersecurity
Description:

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.

Program Name:
Data Center Maryland Sales and Use Tax Exemption Incentive Program
Program Type:
Tax Credit
Industry:
Technology
Description:

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.

Program Name:
Employer Security Clearances Costs (ESCC) Tax Credit
Program Type:
Tax Credit
Industry:
Cybersecurity
Description:

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.

Program Name:
Innovation Investment Tax Credit
Program Type:
Tax Credit
Industry:
Cybersecurity
Biotechnology
Startup
Technology
Research
Description:

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.

Program Name:
Job Creation Tax Credit
Program Type:
Tax Credit
Industry:
General
Description:

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.

Program Name:
Maryland Commuter Tax Credit
Program Type:
Tax Credit
Industry:
General
Description:

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.

Program Name:
More Jobs for Marylanders
Program Type:
Tax Credit
Industry:
Manufacturing
Description:

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.

Program Name:
One Maryland Tax Credit
Program Type:
Tax Credit
Industry:
General
Description:

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.

Program Name:
Research and Development Tax Credit
Program Type:
Tax Credit
Industry:
Research & Development
Description:

Businesses that have qualified R&D expenditures in Maryland may qualify for the Growth R&D Tax Credit. Learn more.

Program Name:
Small Business Relief Tax Credit
Program Type:
Tax Credit
Industry:
Small Business
Description:

Refundable tax credit available to small businesses that provide their employees with paid sick and safe leave. Learn more.

Program Name:
Advantage Maryland (also known as MEDAAF)
Program Type:
Grant, Investment, Loan
Industry:
Location-Based
General
Economic Development Partners
Real Estate Development
Description:

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.

Program Name:
Maryland Technology Internship Program (MTIP)
Program Type:
Grant, Training Service
Industry:
Technology
Higher Education
Description:

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.

Program Name:
Neighbohood Impact Investment Fund (NIIF)
Program Type:
Loan
Industry:
General
Location-Based
Description:

NIIF is a public-private partnership, which provides funding to benefit historically disinvested neighborhoods in Baltimore. Learn more.

Program Name:
Outdoor Spaces Grant
Program Type:
Grant
Industry:
General
Description:

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.

Program Name:
Francis Scott Key Bridge Business Assistance
Program Type:
Assistance Program
Industry:
General
Manufacturing
Location-Based
Description:

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.

Program Name:
Buy Into Bmore Fixed Pricing Program
Program Type:
Assistance Program
Industry:
General
Location-Based
Economic Development Partners
Real Estate Development
Description:

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.

Program Name:
Open Access Baltimore
Program Type:
Grant, Training Service
Industry:
General
Startup
Small Business
Description:

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.

Program Name:
Baltimore Source Link
Program Type:
Grant, Training Service
Industry:
Small Business
Startup
General
Description:

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.

Program Name:
BGE Seed
Program Type:
Assistance Program
Industry:
General
Startup
Small Business
Real Estate Development
Location-Based
Description:

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:

  • A 25% reduction on electric, natural gas distribution and demand charges for businesses that are located in priority zones (enterprise zone, sustainable community, and opportunity zone).
  • A 75% discount on service extension costs for businesses that are located in priority zones (enterprise zone, sustainable community, and opportunity zone).