Maryland Celebrates Economic Development Week, Highlights Financial Assistance Programs for Businesses

BALTIMORE, MD (September 28, 2026) — The Maryland Department of Commerce today recognizes Maryland Economic Development Week – a celebration of the local business community and the projects that contribute to the state’s economy, job creation and retention efforts, and quality of life.

“By proclaiming September 28 – October 2 as Economic Development Week in Maryland, we celebrate a passionate, dedicated community who works tirelessly to create jobs, support businesses, attract investment, and build a stronger, more prosperous Maryland for all our residents,” said Governor Wes Moore. “I encourage each and every member of our economic development community to join in the weeklong celebration and accept our deepest gratitude for your commitment to Maryland.”

In acknowledgment of Economic Development Week, Maryland Commerce is highlighting its financial assistance and tax credit programs to ensure that the state’s business community is informed about resources that can help grow their operations in Maryland. Some of the department’s most popular programs include:

• Advantage Maryland: Provides flexible state funding, including grants, loans, and investments to support business attraction, expansion and infrastructure projects.
• Enterprise Zone Tax Credits: Provides real property and state income tax credits to businesses located in designated Enterprise Zones.
• ExportMD Program: Provides reimbursement grants to help small and mid-sized businesses offset the cost of international marketing and export activities.
• Film Production Activity Tax Credit: Provides refundable tax credits to film production companies that incur qualified production expenses in Maryland.
• Job Creation Tax Credit: Provides tax credits to businesses that create new full-time jobs in Maryland, with enhanced benefits available in designated revitalization areas.
• Maryland Manufacturing 4.0: Provides grants to small and mid-sized Maryland manufacturers to invest in advanced technologies, automation, and digital tools that improve competitiveness and efficiency.
• Maryland Small Business Development Financing Authority: Provides financing and bonding assistance to small, minority-owned and women-owned businesses that have difficulty obtaining traditional financing.
• Military Personnel and Veteran-owned Small Business Loan Program: Provides no-interest loans to small businesses owned by veterans, reservists, or National Guard members, as well as businesses that employ them, to support business growth and stability.
• Partnership for Workforce Quality: Provides matching grants to small and mid-sized Maryland companies to support employee training and workforce skill development.
• Small Minority and Women-Owned Business Account – Video Lottery Terminal Fund: Provides financing to small, minority-owned and women-owned businesses located near Maryland’s six casino jurisdictions to support business growth and job creation.

“Economic Development Week is an opportunity to join with partners across the state, share best practices, and listen to new ideas from every corner of the state,” said Maryland Commerce Secretary Harry Coker, Jr. “By highlighting Commerce programs this week, we hope to reach a new, wider audience and educate local businesses on available resources. Only by working together can we foster economic growth in Maryland.”

Led by the Maryland Economic Development Association (MEDA), Economic Development Week was created to bring together the state’s economic development community to share best practices and recognize state and local economic development success stories. The weeklong celebration includes a number of events and receptions hosted across the state by county economic development offices, tourism councils and other business organizations.

“Now in its 65th year, MEDA continues to lead the charge behind Economic Development Week by encouraging partnerships and networking among its members and in communities throughout the state,” said MEDA Executive Director Pam Ruff. “We’re proud to dedicate our time to promoting Maryland’s economic well-being, and look forward to many more years of working with our state, county, and local government partners.”

A full list of financial assistance programs can be found on the Commerce website.

About Maryland Commerce

The Maryland Department of Commerce stimulates private investment and creates jobs by attracting new businesses, encouraging the expansion and retention of existing companies, and providing financial assistance to Maryland companies. The Department promotes the State’s many economic advantages and markets local products and services at home and abroad to spur economic development and international investment, trade and tourism. Because they are major economic generators, the Department also supports the arts, film production, sports and other special events. For more information, visit commerce.maryland.gov.