More in Doing Business in Montgomery County

Business Funding & Incentives

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Montgomery County has a wide range of funding and incentive programs which may help you grow your business. Some of these are offered in partnership with local, state, or federal agencies. Others are specific to certain industries, small businesses, or Minority, Women, or Disabled-owned businesses.

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Funding to Help You Build/Expand/Renovate Your Facility

These funds may help you build your new or expanded facility in Montgomery County. Often Montgomery County will partner with the State of Maryland or your city to offer you a joint award.

Montgomery County
Funding This program is for…
Day Care Provider Tax Credit
  • Taxpayers wanting to make improvements on a real property that is used exclusively for day care services (registered family day care home, licensed childcare center, licensed day care center for the elderly, or licensed day care center for the medically handicapped).
  • Taxpayers wanting to make improvements on a real property that is used exclusively for day care services and is owned by a business with at least 25 employees
Design for Life (DFL) Property Tax Incentive Program Home care facility owners wanting to make their home more universally accessible.
Economic Development Grant and Loan Program Private employers who retain jobs or stimulate job creation in Montgomery County. Priority is given to:
  • High technology companies
  • Manufacturing companies
  • Businesses in urban revitalization areas
  • Private employers providing the greatest public benefits
Energy and Environmental Design (Green Building) Tax Credit Businesses in buildings that are certified as a “high performance building,” which is:
  • A “covered building” (i.e., a newly constructed or extensively modified non-residential or multi-family residential building that has or will have at least 10,000 square feet of gross floor area) that achieves a gold or platinum rating from the United States Green Building Council (USGBC) or an equivalent rating as determined by the Montgomery County Department of Permitting Services (DPS).
  • A non-“covered building” that achieves silver, gold, or platinum rating from the USGBC or an equivalent rating as determined by the Montgomery County DPS.
Enterprise Zone Tax Credit Businesses in State-designated Enterprise Zones (Long Branch/Takoma Park, Glenmont, Burtonsville, Briggs Chaney, and Olde Towne Gaithersburg).
Façade Improvement Program Property owners and business owners whose exteriors are older than 10 years or don’t meet today’s commercial standards.
Group Home Rehabilitation Loan Program Group homes owned by nonprofit organizations which are occupied by persons of low- and moderate-income who are disabled.
Historic Preservation Tax Credit Businesses that want to renovate properties listed in the Montgomery County Master Plan for Historic Preservation.
Job Creation Fund Employers in the following industries who will create at least five new jobs each paying $100,000 or more within a six month period:
  • Advanced Technology
  • Cybersecurity
  • Hospitality
  • Life Sciences
  • Quantum Computing Technology
MOVE Program Businesses that are signing their first commercial lease for office space or expanding their existing office space lease by at least 500 square feet. This program is not for retail, restaurant, independent financial or insurance agent/broker establishments.
Multi-family Housing Projects Developers and property managers who want to develop and rehabilitate multi-family housing properties.
Multi-family Energy Incentives Multi-family property owners who want to reduce the energy costs of their properties.
New Jobs Tax Credit Businesses that increase their space by at least 5,000 square feet and their employee count by at least 25 new jobs.

Maryland
Funding This program is for…
Advantage Maryland (MEDAAF) Businesses that support economic development initiatives. Projects must include a County Resolution. This program is for certain eligible industry sectors.
Data Center Maryland Sales and Use Tax Exemption Incentive Program Businesses that locate or expand in Maryland and create new full-time positions. As part of the eligibility criteria a business must be certified as a Qualified Data Center by the Maryland Department of Commerce, along with other criteria.
Enterprise Zone Tax Credits Businesses in a Maryland enterprise zone in return for job creation and investments. Businesses in Focus Areas may be also qualified for personal property tax credits on new investment in personal property and enhanced income tax credit for creating new jobs.
Job Creation Tax Credit Businesses that locate or expand in the state and create a minimum number of net new full-time positions. The credit increases if the business locates or expands in a revitalization area. The business must be certified as a qualified business entity eligible for the tax credit.
Maryland Economic Adjustment Fund (MEAF) Businesses that have an inability to qualify for loans from traditional lending resources might be eligible for this loan program. The business must demonstrate credit worthiness and ability to repay the obligation.
Maryland Opportunity Zones Businesses that are new or expanding might qualified for the Opportunity Zone Fund. There are a variety of funds available with different investment focus.
Maryland Opportunity Zone Enhancement Credits Businesses that are in Maryland Opportunity Zones which provides enhancements to several economic development tax credits. The tax credits include job creation, one Maryland Tax Credit that creates at least 50 qualified positions, more jobs for Marylanders, Enterprise Zone Income Tax Credit, Enterprise Zone Focus Area Income Tax Credit, Biotechnology Investor Incentive Tax Credit, and Maryland Innovation Investment Tax Credit.
More Jobs for Marylanders Businesses that are involved in manufacturing, but also non-manufacturer business are eligible if they are located or expand in opportunity zones. The State sets an application period after July 1 each year.

City of Gaithersburg
Funding This program is for…
Economic Development Toolbox Existing businesses located within the City of Gaithersburg that have been in operation for more than two years.
Economic Development Opportunity Fund Larger businesses wanting to relocate or expand within the City of Gaithersburg.
Olde Towne Enterprise Zone Businesses in the designated areas of Olde Towne Gaithersburg and the Frederick Avenue commercial corridor.

City of Rockville
Funding This program is for…
Business Expansion Fund Existing Rockville businesses expanding their operations within the corporate limits of the City of Rockville. 
MOVE Program
  • Businesses who are outside the corporate limits of the City of Rockville and want to relocate or expand into Rockville.
  • Startups moving into their first commercial space and it is in Rockville.

City of Takoma Park
Funding This program is for…
TPK Business Investment Grant (BIG) Businesses looking to locate, grow, or expand in the City of Takoma Park.

Funding to Help You Commercialize Your Technology

Several local, state and federal programs are available to help businesses advance their proprietary technology ideas to market.

Montgomery County
Funding This program is for…
Biotechnology Investor Incentive Program Investors of biotechnology companies in Montgomery County. Investors who are approved and receive tax credits from the  Maryland Biotechnology Investment Incentive Tax Credit Program will automatically receive the supplemental grant from the County.

Maryland
Funding This program is for…
Biotechnology Investment Incentive Tax Credit Investors with eligible investments in a Qualified Maryland Biotechnology Company (QMBC). The program supports investment in seed and early stage biotech companies to promote and grow the biotech industry in Maryland.
Enterprise Zone Tax Credits Businesses in a Maryland enterprise zone in return for job creation and investments. Businesses in Focus Areas may be also qualified for personal property tax credits on new investment in personal property and enhanced income tax credit for creating new jobs.
Innovation Incentive Tax Credit Potential investors in early-stage companies with the goal of increasing the number of companies developing innovative technologies in Maryland, increasing overall investments in current and emerging technology sectors, and increasing the number of individual investors actively investing in Maryland technology companies.
Maryland Industrial Partnerships (MIPS) Companies looking for funding, facilities, resources, and expertise within Maryland’s public universities to create new products and opportunities.
Maryland Innovation Initiative Start-ups within:
  1. Johns Hopkins University
  2. Morgan State University
  3. University of Maryland, Baltimore
  4. University of Maryland, Baltimore County (UMBC)
  5. University of Maryland, College Park
Momentum Fund Early-stage companies that are affiliated with the University System of Maryland (USM).
Research and Development Tax Credit Businesses that incur Qualified Research and Development Expenses, as defined by § 41(b) of the Internal Revenue Code, in Maryland.
Stem Cell Research Fund Companies, universities/research institutes, and academics involved in a variety of stem cell research in Maryland can apply for grants to help them advance their technologies.
Venture Fund Early-stage technology businesses in Maryland.

Federal
Funding This program is for…
America’s Seed Fund (SBIR/STTR) Startups and small businesses across technology areas and markets to stimulate technological innovation, meet Federal research and development (R&D) needs, and increase commercialization to transition R&D into impact.

Funding to Help You Grow or Train Your Workforce

These programs offer financial support to grow or train your workforce.

Montgomery County
Funding This program is for…
Home Computer Telecommuting Incentive Businesses in Montgomery County that establish a new off-site employee workstation for employees who work at home at least 78 days per calendar year.
New Jobs Tax Credit Businesses in Montgomery County that are planning to increase both their space and their staff.

Maryland
Funding This program is for…
Employer Security Clearances Costs (ESCC) Tax Credit Small businesses in Maryland doing security-based contract work.
Hire Our Veterans Tax Credit Small businesses in Maryland hiring military veterans.
Job Creation Tax Credit
  • Businesses that locate or expand in Maryland and create a minimum number of net new full-time positions.
  • Small businesses that hire at least one qualified veteran employee to fill a net new full-time position.
Maryland Apprenticeship and Training Program (MATP) Businesses and apprenticeship providers committed to creating new apprenticeship opportunities to meet their workforce needs.
Maryland Business Works Businesses that want to train their employees.

City of Gaithersburg
Funding This program is for…
Economic Development Toolbox Existing businesses located within the City of Gaithersburg that have been in operation for more than two years

Funding to Help You Grow Your Minority-owned Businesses

Several local, state, and federal programs focus on providing resources to small businesses and businesses owned by people from historically disadvantaged groups. For non-funding related resources for small businesses and minority, women, and veteran-owned businesses, visit our page on Resources for Small, Minority, Women, and Veteran-owned Businesses.

Montgomery County
Funding This program is for…
MicroLoan Program Start-ups, newly established, or growing small businesses and certain not-for-profit childcare centers.
These loans currently are provided through these County partners:

Rockville
Funding This program is for…
Rockville Small Business Impact Fund (PDF) Small businesses in one of Rockville’s Performance Districts:
  • Town Center Performance District
  • Twinbrook Metro Performance District
Nonprofit businesses are eligible. Franchise or chain businesses are not eligible.

Maryland
Funding This program is for…
Accelerating Community Excellence (ACE) Loan Fund Minority- and women-owned small businesses.
Social Impact Funds (Pre-Seed Builder and Inclusion) Pre-seed technology start-ups from all industries who meet the following qualifications:
  • Main business location needs to be in Maryland
  • At least one full-time employee
  • 50% or more of founders demonstrate economic disadvantage
State Small Business Credit Initiative Startups and entrepreneurs who demonstrate economic or social disadvantage.

Funding to Support Your Clean Energy/Sustainability-related Activities

Funding may be available from local, state, and federal sources and utility companies to support your business’ adoption of energy-efficient practices and renewable technologies.

Montgomery County
Funding This program is for…
Commercial Energy Incentives Commercial building owners. This resource has information on energy assessments, financial incentives, and government programs and incentives.
Energy and Environmental Design (Green Building) Tax Credit Building owners whose building or reconstruction project achieve a LEEDS certification.
Fire Sprinkler System Tax Credit Commercial building owners the first time they install an approved complete automatic sprinkler system that is used for fire protection.
Fuel Energy Tax Exemption for Onsite Clean Energy Commercial building owners whose buildings generate electricity through onsite solar installations.
Property-Assessed Clean Energy (C-PACE) Commercial building owners wanting to make building improvements.
Water Quality Protection Charge Credit Property owners who own and maintain on-site stormwater management practices.

City of Rockville
Funding This program is for…
Green Building Tax Credit
  • Property owners who want to renovate their buildings to meet LEED Silver, Gold, or Platinum certification and ENERGY STAR certification.
  • Existing commercial buildings and multifamily residential structures with 4 or more stories.

Maryland
Funding This program is for…
Commercial Clean Energy Rebate Program Businesses, nonprofits, local governments, and State of Maryland government agencies and departments that install clean energy systems on facilities in Maryland.
Commercial Wood Feasibility Study Governmental, institutional, commercial, and industrial facilities (e.g., schools, hospitals, campuses, commercial buildings) in Maryland who want to engage in wood energy feasibility studies.
Jane E. Lawton Conversation Loan Program Nonprofit organizations, local governments, businesses, and State agencies in Maryland for the implementation of cost-effective energy efficiency and conservation improvements for existing or to-be-constructed facilities.
Maryland Clean Energy Capital Financing Program Governments, institutions, nonprofit organizations, and business entities wanting to achieve favorable economics in energy project transactions.
Open Energy Grant Program People who have ideas for energy-related projects that fall outside the range of the Maryland Energy Administration’s (MEA) other energy projects.
Solar Canopy Grant Program Property owners who want to install solar systems that provide multiple uses for land and water.

Federal
Funding This program is for…
Commercial Energy Efficiency Tax Deduction Owners or designers of new or existing commercial buildings.
Federal Clean Energy Tax Credits Businesses and for-profit organizations who installed solar energy systems, geothermal heat pumps, or small wind turbines.
Federal Tax Credits for All-Electric and Plug-in Hybrid Vehicles Businesses that use all-electric or plug-in hybrids for business purposes.

Other Funding and Incentives (Miscellaneous)

Montgomery County
Funding This program is for…
Arts & Entertainment District Tax Credit Owners of manufacturing, commercial, or industrial buildings that are in an Arts & Entertainment District and are wholly or partially renovated for use by a qualifying residing artist or an arts and entertainment enterprise.
MicroLoan Program Start-ups, newly established, or growing small businesses and certain not-for-profit childcare centers.
These loans currently are provided through these County partners:
Nonprofit Swim Clubs Property Tax Credit Nonprofit swim clubs.

Maryland

The Maryland Department of Commerce offers a variety of funding and incentive programs for Maryland companies.

Funding This program is for…
Buy Maryland Cybersecurity (BMC) Tax Credit Businesses wanting to purchase cybersecurity technologies and services from a Qualified Maryland Cybersecurity Seller.
Export MD Small and mid-sized businesses wanting support with marketing costs.
Film Production Tax Credit A film production entity that incurred costs in Maryland.
Home-based Business Exemptions Small, home-based businesses.
Manufacturing and R&D Tax Exemption Businesses engaged in manufacturing and R&D.
Maryland Commuter Tax Credit Businesses, 501C3, and 501C4 organizations in Maryland.
Small Business Relief Tax Credit Small businesses that provide their employees with paid sick and safe leave.

Federal
Funding This program is for…
Small Business Administration (SBA) Loans All small businesses.