City of Laurel Thrive Small Business Grant Program

The City of Laurel Department of Economic and Community Development administers the Laurel Thrive Small Business Grant Program. This program was established to provide financial support to new businesses within the City of Laurel, Maryland. The purpose of the program is to help businesses grow, expand, hire, and develop in ways that contribute to the local economy. By offering financial assistance, the City seeks to spur economic development, create jobs for local residents, and expand opportunities for entrepreneurship within its municipal boundaries. The program provides grants of $10,000 to eligible small businesses located within designated zones of the City of Laurel. To qualify, businesses must have opened between July 1, 2025, and June 30, 2026, and must remain in operation within the City for at least four years. If a business closes or relocates outside of Laurel before meeting the four-year requirement, the City requires partial repayment of the awarded funds. Specifically, recipients must repay 75 percent if the business ceases within one year, 50 percent within two years, and 25 percent within three years. The City has allocated a total of $50,000 to this program, with a maximum of ten awards anticipated. Funds may only be used for approved business-related expenses. Eligible costs include utility improvements, equipment and installation, point-of-sale systems, office equipment and software, interior remodeling, exterior signage, window signage, awnings, exterior renovations, furniture, and security systems. Certain expenses are explicitly prohibited, including professional or permit fees, rent or mortgage payments, artwork or décor, and payroll expenses. The City retains sole discretion to determine whether any requested use of funds aligns with the goals of the program, and such determinations are not subject to appeal. The program has detailed eligibility requirements. Businesses must hold a valid City of Laurel Use and Occupancy permit, be in good standing with the State of Maryland, and be current on all City, County, State, and Federal tax payments. Businesses must also have a current business plan, and if the applicant is not the property owner, the owner must sign the application. In addition, businesses must be located within certain zoning districts including Commercial Neighborhood, Commercial Community, Commercial General, Commercial Shopping Center, Commercial Village, Commercial Village Activity Center, Office Building, Industrial Commercial Services, Industrial General, and Industrial Research and Technology Park. Ineligible businesses include houses of worship, banks, financial institutions, food trucks, corporate-owned franchises, online businesses, and any businesses where City staff or elected officials hold at least a 25 percent financial interest. Applications must be submitted electronically through the City’s online portal. Before applying, applicants must participate in a pre-application meeting with the Department of Economic and Community Development to confirm eligibility. Only one application per business entity will be considered. Applications are reviewed on a first-come, first-served basis, and incomplete or inaccurate submissions may result in disqualification. Once submitted, applications cannot be revised. Applicants are required to provide a current business plan as part of their submission. The application window opens September 3, 2024, at 9:00 AM and will remain open until funds are fully allocated. Applications are reviewed by the Department of Economic and Community Development, the Department of Budget and Personnel Services, and the City of Laurel ARPA Committee. Final approval is determined through this multi-agency review process. Award decisions are based on compliance with eligibility requirements and alignment with program goals. For questions or assistance, applicants may contact the City of Laurel Department of Economic and Community Development by phone at 301-725-5300, extension 2303, or by email to the department. The program office is located at the Joseph R. Robison Laurel Municipal Center, 8103 Sandy Spring Road, Laurel, Maryland 20707. Office hours are Monday through Friday, 9:00 AM to 5:00 PM.