Maryland legislation encourages manufacturing jobs, training

New legislation in Maryland that takes effect in June provides $1 million in workforce development scholarships and builds on current apprenticeship programs, while also providing tax incentives for new and existing manufacturers to create jobs in areas of the state that need them most. Gov. Larry Hogan signed the More Jobs for Marylanders Act into law last week, a key piece of his jobs initiative. The new legislation establishes scholarships for eligible students enrolled in job training programs at community colleges, and contains measures to encourage high schools to offer additional vocational training, as well as requiring state agencies to analyze their registered apprenticeship programs. This builds on current efforts of Maryland’s Employment Advancement Right Now (EARN) workforce training program, which has already provided training for nearly 2,000 unemployed or underemployed workers.

New manufacturers in high-unemployment counties would receive a 5.75 percent wage tax credit, a state property tax credit and a sales and use tax credit for up to 10 years, under the plan. The legislation also waives state filing fees, and all incentives are contingent on the company creating at least five jobs. Existing manufacturers that create at least five new jobs anywhere in the state would receive the same wage tax credit. The bill received nearly unanimous passage in both the House and Senate in the final hours of the session.