Advantage Maryland (MEDAAF)

About this page.  This page explains Advantage Maryland in plain language. The Maryland Economic Development Assistance Authority and Fund is established under Economic Development Article, Title 5, Subtitle 3. The subtitle was amended by the DECADE Act of 2026 (HB 898 / SB 388), effective July 1, 2026. If anything on this page conflicts with the statute, the statute controls.

Program Status

Advantage Maryland is currently active. Awards are made on a competitive basis.

Before you apply.  Awards depend on available funding, and the program's approval thresholds and assistance limits were amended by the DECADE Act effective July 1, 2026. Confirm current requirements, timing, and availability with your regional business development representative before applying.

What This Program Does

Advantage Maryland — also known as the Maryland Economic Development Assistance Authority and Fund (MEDAAF) — is a flexible, broad-based program that supports economic development across the state. It provides funding as conditional grants, loans, and investments.

Funding supports a wide range of activities, including business attraction and retention, infrastructure support, brownfield redevelopment, arts and entertainment districts, daycare, revolving loan funds, and local strategic planning.

Projects must be located within a Priority Funding Area and fall within an eligible industry sector. Awards are made on a competitive basis.

Who This Is For

Advantage Maryland assists both the business community and political jurisdictions — counties, municipalities, and the Maryland Economic Development Corporation (MEDCO).

What's Offered

Five financing capabilities are offered through Advantage Maryland:

Assistance limits and Secretary approval thresholds for these capabilities were amended by the DECADE Act effective July 1, 2026. Confirm current limits with your regional representative.

Key Eligibility Requirements

Projects must:

• Be located within a Priority Funding Area
• Fall within an eligible industry sector (see below)
• Support a significant economic development initiative
• Include local government support documentation

Local government support

Commerce requires documentation showing that the local jurisdiction supports the project. This has historically taken the form of a County Resolution adopted by the county governing body.

Applicants generally obtain this through the county’s economic development office, which coordinates the request with the county council or commissioners. Your regional business development representative can help coordinate this step — start there rather than approaching the county directly.

Confirm the current form.  The DECADE Act amended Title 5, Subtitle 3 effective July 1, 2026, including provisions on local government approval. Confirm with your regional representative whether a resolution or a letter of support is currently required.

Eligible initiatives

Projects must support a significant economic development initiative, such as:

• Business attraction and retention
• Infrastructure support
• Brownfield redevelopment
• Local revolving loan funds
• Local strategic planning within a Priority Funding Area

Eligible industry sectors

As published by Commerce (as of December 2022), the eligible sectors are:

• Aerospace, aeronautics, and unmanned aerial systems (UAS)
• Agriculture, forestry, and resource-based industries
• Biotechnology, health care technology, and pharmaceuticals
• Businesses with U.S. or regional headquarters in Maryland
• Distribution, warehousing, transportation, and logistics
• Environmental technology, renewable energy, and energy production
• Financial services
• Technology and cybersecurity
• Manufacturing

Sectors are reviewed annually.  Under §5-321(a) of the Economic Development Article, the Maryland Economic Development Commission consults with the Maryland Department of Labor each year, evaluates the potential employment and economic growth of Maryland's industry sectors, and recommends eligible sectors to the MEDAAF Authority. Confirm the current list with your regional representative before applying.

How to Get Started

Advantage Maryland does not use a public application portal. Start with the business development representative for your region.

1. Contact your regional representative. Find contact information for representatives.
2. Discuss the project, confirm it falls within a Priority Funding Area and an eligible industry sector, and identify which financing capability fits.
3. Work with your representative and the local jurisdiction to assemble the required local government support documentation.
4. Submit the application as directed by your regional representative.

Electronic funds transfer

The State requires all contractors to be registered to receive state payments by electronic funds transfer (EFT) before any contract exceeding $200,000 is approved by the Maryland Board of Public Works. All vendors are encouraged to register to be paid electronically.

To register, complete and submit Form GADX-10 - PDF to the General Accounting Division:

• Fax: 410-974-2309
• Mail: EFT Registration, General Accounting Division, P.O. Box 746, Annapolis, MD 21404-0746

Payments use the CCD, CCD+, or CTX format. The CCD+ format contains summarized information; detailed payment information is available through the One Stop Vendor Payment Inquiry System. The CTX format includes details for each invoice, but vendors must contact their bank to receive it and the bank may charge a fee.

Governance and Meetings

Advantage Maryland is overseen by the MEDAAF Authority. For board members, meetings, and minutes, visit the MIDFA/MEDAAF Authority page.

Legal Notices and Required Language

The Maryland Economic Development Assistance Authority and Fund is established under Economic Development Article, Title 5, Subtitle 3.

Eligible industry sector recommendations are made under Economic Development Article §5-321(a).

Amending legislation:

• DECADE Act of 2026 (HB 898 / SB 388) — amended Title 5, Subtitle 3 effective July 1, 2026, including Secretary approval thresholds, assistance limits, local approval requirements, and local match provisions

Program resources:

• Priority Funding Areas map
• Regional business development representatives
• MIDFA/MEDAAF Authority — board, meetings, and minutes

Applicants should consult the authorizing statute and applicable regulations for the complete legal requirements governing this program.

Contact

Bonnie Barresi
Project Manager
Maryland Department of Commerce
Email: [email protected]
Phone: 443-915-9538