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State Assistance Maryland was a pioneer in the development of enterprise zones. It was the third state to enact its own Enterprise Zone Program, and one of the first states to designate zones. Enterprise zones in the state offer an attractive location alternative for industrial and commercial businesses. Companies locating or expanding in these zones are eligible for property tax and state income tax credits. There is a ten-year credit against local property taxes for real property improvements. There are 1-3 year credits on income tax for wages paid to eligible, new employees in the zone.
In Garrett County, four County-owned Industrial and Business Parks are Maryland-designated Enterprise Zones. The Maryland Department of Business and Economic Development (DBED) offers a variety of financing programs designed to assist businesses of various industries and sizes, from start-ups to large publicly-held businesses. The State also offers a variety of job training assistance to assist new or expanding companies. The main purpose of these programs is job retention, job creation, and capital investment. The Business License Information System (BLIS) is an interactive website that allows users quick access to information on permits and licenses that may be required to start, relocate or expand a business in Maryland. In addition, the State offers training assistance through two programs. The Maryland Industrial Training Partnership (MITP) Program provides start-up training to assist new or expanding companies. The amount of assistance available depends on several factors, including the current skill level of new hires and the skill level required for the newly created position. The Partnership for Workforce Quality (PWQ) encourages businesses to invest in upgrading the skills of their workforce. This would include training designed to help employees master the skills necessary to operate new equipment and/or technologies. Businesses can apply for grants to cover 50% of training costs. DBED also offers a Conditional Loan/Grant Program for businesses that agree to create a significant number of new jobs within a specific time-frame. The threshhold for consideration for a conditional loan/grant is a minimum of 25-30 new jobs. The emploeyr must agree to create the specified number of jobs within a 2-3 year period. The exact number of jobs requied and the time-frame in which the jobs must be established depends on the type and quality (wages and benefits) of the jobs created. DBED has prepared several guides to assist the small business owner. To read these guides, please click on the links below. The Maryland Department of Labor, Licensing and Regulation (DLLR) is chartered with supporting the economic stability of the state and counties by providing businesses, the workforce, and consumers with customer-focused regulatory, employment, and training services. DLLR is here to help you with employment assistance, licensing information, and support regarding regulatory compliance. The Maryland Department of Housing and Community Development's Division of Neighborhood Revitalization's Neighborhood Business Works Program is an innovative State effort to help seed and support small business development and expansion in Maryland. For more information on this program, contact Bill Peterson at (410) 514-7246 or e-mail petersonw@mdhousing.org. The Maryland Agricultural and Resource Based Industry Development Corporation (MARBIDCO) is committed to assisting Maryland's farm, forestry, seafood and recreation-based businesses to achieve profitability and sustainability now and in the future. MARBIDCO provides targeted services that help retain existing Ag/RBI production and commerce, promote rural entrepreneurship, and nurture emerging industries. It also offers four low-interest loan and rural business development programs: Additional State programs include Maryland's Minority Business Preference Program, the Maryland Department of Transportation's Disadvantaged Business Enterprise Program, the Small Business Reserve Program and the Minority Business Enterprise Program. Several guides have been prepared to assist the Maryland business owner. They include:
For information on what these programs have to offer you and your business, please click on the links.
 AMERICAN RECOVERY AND REINVESTMENT ACT (ARRA) Last, but certainly not least, the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act (ARRA), commonly known as the "Recovery Act," is a major topic of interest to citizens, businesses and local governments. Through this Act, Maryland has ARRA grant and contract opportunities available to small business owners. The site contains a link for Recovery funded and related job opportunities, as well as a list of tax benefits created by the passage of ARRA. If you have not yet visited Maryland's Recovery website, it is definitely worth visiting!
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