FAQs • Calvert County, MD • CivicEngage

How can I be added to your distribution list?: The county publishes several electronic newsletters available via email.
Go here to sign up for any of our newsletters.

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Economic Development

1. How can my business become a vendor for Calvert County Government?: The Calvert County Purchasing Office is responsible for procuring commodities and services required by Calvert County Government. The Department of Public Works, the Capital Projects Coordinator and the Purchasing Office administer the procurement of professional services and major construction for capital projects.
Calvert County Government is now using eMaryland Marketplace, the State of Maryland bidding website, to bring you more efficient and effective bidding and procurement opportunities. The Purchasing Office is located in the County Services Plaza, 150 Main Street, Suite 105, Prince Frederick, Maryland 20678. Please contact 410-535-1600 x2288.
eMaryland Marketplace

2. How do I apply for a business license?: Contact the Clerk of the Circuit Court to find out if you need a license and how to apply. Clerk of the Circuit Court

3. How do I find commercial property available for sale or lease?: Calvert Prospector provides a comprehensive listing of commercial inventory. It also provides demographic data for the county and its town centers. Visit Calvert Prospector online.

4. How do I apply for a liquor license?: The Board of License Commissioners, also known as the Liquor Board, provides information on how to apply, related documents and a meeting schedule.
Liquor Board Information can be found here.

5. What types of business assistance is available to new and existing businesses?: The Department of Economic Development provides several services to support the local business community. Some include online business resources, marketing assistance, an ombudsman program and training and workshops. Call 410-535-4583 for full details. The department also works with several resource partners, such as the Small Business Development Center (SBDC), to provide additional programs. An SBDC business counselor is co-located with our office and provides free, confidential, one-on-one business counseling. To arrange an appointment, call 410-535-4583.
Visit online for business assistance information.

6. I am interested in holding a ribbon cutting for my business. How can the Department of Economic Development help?: The department can help arrange a ribbon cutting with the Board of County Commissioners. Click here for a ribbon cutting guide.

7. How can I be added to your distribution list?: The county publishes several electronic newsletters available via email.
Go here to sign up for any of our newsletters.

8. I need financing for my business expansion. Can the department help?: The department administers the Calvert County Economic Development Loan Fund, an alternative funding source for Calvert County businesses. Information on other funding sources can be obtained from the Small Business Development Center. To talk with a local business counselor, call 410-535-4583 or visit www.sbdchelp.com.
Economic Development Loan Fund information

9. Who are Calvert County’s major employers?: The county maintains a list of its major employers.
View the list here.

10. How can I obtain demographic information for Calvert County?: The Ecalvert.com economic development website has a host of information about the county, including demographics, economic facts and more.
View Calvert County's demographics here.

11. What is a Calvert County Commerce Zone?: A Commerce Zone is a designated location where businesses that locate in the pre-determined zone can receive a real property tax credit. Real property tax credits are a common economic development tool used by jurisdictions across the nation. Commerce Zones also allow the county to direct development to appropriately zoned locations. In Calvert County, Patuxent Business Park is a designated Commerce Zone.
View the Patuxent Business Park website.

12. Is the tax credit program a “giveaway?”: No. Tax credits are common economic development tools used by locations across the nation. They are incentives that help Calvert County compete. The Commerce Zone tax credit is temporary, starting at 50 percent for the first five years and diminishing until it expires after 10 years.

13. Why is a Commerce Zone needed?: The Commerce Zone is an incentive that will help Calvert County attract business development and creates an incentive not found in any other Southern Maryland jurisdiction. The Commerce Zone will provide real property tax relief for new businesses and business expansions in PBP and will be an excellent business development marketing tool.

14. Can the Board of County Commissioners identify Commerce Zone locations without public input?: No. Although not required by law, the BOCC has put measures in place through a local ordinance that will require a public hearing for each proposed location. There will be ample time for public scrutiny and input.

15. Does the Commerce Zone apply to Prince Frederick?: The Commerce Zone has nothing to do with the Prince Frederick Town Center and the Armory Square development.

16. What other incentives are available to business?: On behalf of the Board of County Commissioners, the Department of Economic Development offers an array of services to the business community. Presently, the county has a variety of incentives for new and expanding business. They include business counseling services, online business resource guides, free online employment classifieds for local businesses, fast-track permitting, financing assistance, the Calvert County Incentive Fund, the Calvert County Economic Development Loan Fund, real property tax credits, a free online commercial real estate tool for local realtors – CalvertProspector.com – and tailored training programs. Additionally, new initiatives to attract business such as zoning changes to the Prince Frederick Town Center and updates to the Calvert County Incentive Fund are examples of attractive selling points for businesses looking to locate in Calvert County.
View the full list of incentives here.

17. What is a Federal Opportunity Zone?: Opportunity Zones are a part of a community and economic development program established by Congress as a part of the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act of 2017. They are designed to encourage long-term private investment in low-income and/or rural communities. This program provides a federal tax incentive for taxpayers who reinvest unrealized capital gains into Opportunity Funds, which are specialized vehicles dedicated to investing in Opportunity Zones. Visit online for more information.