Legislation that aims to use tax breaks to lure manufacturers to Maryland has the potential to bring new business to Anne Arundel County, officials say.
Lawmakers are considering two bills, including one introduced by Gov. Larry Hogan, that offer a decade-long property tax exemption for manufacturers who decide to open in the state.
Hogan’s legislation, Senate Bill 386, would create “manufacturing empowerment zones” in Maryland’s most depressed areas. He highlighted the zones as a priority in his State of the State address earlier this month, saying the initiative would “renew Maryland’s proud history in manufacturing and address chronic unemployment in the hardest-hit parts of the state.”
Senate Bill 181, the Maryland Strong Manufacturing Development Act, has a similar goal, but allows jurisdictions more flexibility in proposing the areas where they want to entice manufacturers.
Introduced by Sen. Roger Manno, D-Montgomery County, the bill has bipartisan support in both General Assembly chambers. All of the senators from Anne Arundel County’s delegation have signed on as co-sponsors of the bill, and in the House, Dels. Pam Beidle, D-Linthicum, Ned Carey, D-Brooklyn Park, Mark Chang, D-Glen Burnie and Ted Sophocleus, D-Linthicum, are co-sponsors.
Click here to read the rest of the article written by Amanda Yeager over at the Capital Gazette