State Creates Enterprise Zone in Woodlawn

The Maryland Department of Business & Economic Development approved an enterprise zone in Woodlawn to spark businesses and create jobs.

The enterprise zone, known as Federal Center at Woodlawn Enterprise Zone, includes about 395 acres of industrial and office property near I-695 and Dogwood Road, according to a press release from County Executive Kevin Kamenetz’s office on Friday. Parts of the Rutherford Business Center, Windsor Corporate Park, Executive Park West and Meadows Industrial Center will be included in the enterprise zone.

The county hopes that, through targeted tax benefits, the enterprise zone will reduce vacancy rates and that businesses will be encouraged to make improvements, especially technological upgrades, that will make them more competitive.

“Taking the initiative to establish a new Enterprise Zone is central to Baltimore County’s commitment to attracting new jobs and new investment to Woodlawn,” said Kamenetz in the press release. "The Federal Center at Woodlawn Enterprise Zone will help assure a strong inventory of technology-ready offices to support this growing federal employment center.”

Companies who qualify in an Enterprise Zone can take advantage of property and income tax credits, which can result in substantial property tax savings. The press release states that a new $5 million capital investment in an Enterprise Zone property “nets $371,150 in property tax credits over 10 years.”

Federal headquarters for the Social Security Administration plus the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Serves combine to provide jobs  for nearly 16,000 people in the county, and private contractors related to these fields employing thousands more.