Toolbox

State of Maryland Tools

Neighborhood BusinessWorks

Neighborhood BusinessWorks loan program provides flexible financing to new or expanding small businesses and nonprofit organizations in Sustainable Communities and Priority Funding Areas throughout the state. Priority is given to projects that strengthen neighborhood commercial districts and are part of a greater revitalization strategy.

  • Project viability and potential impact on the neighborhood
  • First floor business or retail space use that generates street level activity in mixed use projects
  • Improvements to a vacant or under-utilized building or site
  • Readiness to proceed
  • Cash flow and collateral

Applicants must complete a Neighborhood BusinessWorks loan application package. Upon loan approval an applicant will receive a commitment letter from the Maryland Department of Housing and Community Development. Loan approval requires that applicants meet underwriting guidelines. Applicants must have executed the necessary legal documents prior to disbursement of the loan proceeds.

Utility Company Toolbox


BGE Smart Energy for Economic Development (SEED) Program

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. It is our hope that these reductions will 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).

Information and Application


BGE EmPower Maryland Business Program

Financial incentives to help you operate leaner and greener.

Information