ANNAPOLIS, MD—Maryland Governor Wes Moore has announced the first round of grant awards for the Maryland Business Ready Sites Program, a new initiative aimed at accelerating the development of “shovel-ready” sites to attract and retain businesses across the state.
The program, established by the governor’s economic competitiveness executive order, is designed to spur private sector investment and create jobs by defraying the costs of site characterization, improvement and marketing.
“Economic growth is the key to our success,” Moore said in a statement. “Today, we take an important step forward in our commitment to uplift industries of the future and create jobs. From projects in Mountain Maryland to the Eastern Shore, we are investing in communities in every corner of our state to expand access to work, wages, and wealth for all.”
The initial round of grants totals $2.3 million and will support economic development projects in 10 counties and Baltimore City.
Six projects received Site Improvement Grants, the program’s primary funding mechanism, which helps prepare sites for development through improved access, utility upgrades and clearing.
Recipients of the $450,000 Site Improvement Grants include:
- Allegany County: The Cumberland Economic Development Corporation received funds for site work at the 37.7-acre Messick Road development in Cumberland, a site that has attracted interest from aerospace, defense and light manufacturing sectors.
- Wicomico County: Salisbury Airport will use funds to prepare land for new hangars at its 1,046-acre facility, supporting jobs in the aerospace mechanic industry. The airport also received a Site Characterization Grant for an adjacent business park.
- Baltimore City: A 48.2-acre parcel in South Baltimore will be developed for Hellenic Cables Americas Co.’s first U.S. manufacturing facility, which will produce cables for grid modernization.
- Howard County: A 37-acre parcel in Savage Crossing will be redeveloped by Tradepoint Atlantic for new flex industrial buildings, leveraging its proximity to Central Maryland’s economic hubs.
Additionally, two projects in Baltimore City received $200,000 Site Improvement Grants:
- Baltimore City (West): TREND’s redevelopment of Edmondson Village Shopping Center will use funds for access and utility improvements to serve an industrial end-user, creating food manufacturing jobs.
- Baltimore City (East): Cross Street Partners’ 16.9-acre Crown Cork & Seal redevelopment project will receive funds for underlying infrastructure improvements, supporting light manufacturing and leveraging the area’s artist community.
The program also awarded Site Characterization Grants, which are $10,000 matching grants for in-depth analysis of early-stage sites, to projects in Allegany, Baltimore County, Calvert, Cecil, Charles, Dorchester, Queen Anne’s, Somerset, and Wicomico counties.
“Smart site development is a cornerstone of economic growth,” said Maryland Economic Development Corporation Executive Director Tom Sadowski. “By investing in shovel-ready sites, we’re supporting Maryland’s leading industries and laying the groundwork for the businesses and jobs of tomorrow.”
The Maryland Business Ready Sites Program is accepting new applications on a rolling basis, with decisions made within 60 days. More than $800,000 in Site Improvement Grant funds remain available for competitive allocation, along with matching grant funding for dozens of additional Site Characterization Grants. The program aims to award at least one grant to every county in Maryland.
Photo via Pixabay
