Regional Institution Strategic Enterprise (RISE) Zone Program

The RISE Zone program connects the resources of universities, colleges, and federal-affiliated nonprofits to the communities around them — creating targeted zones where state incentives, business support, and institutional investment converge to attract businesses and create jobs.

MEDCO administers the RISE Zone program effective July 1, 2026, pursuant to the DECADE Act of 2026. Applications are submitted on a rolling basis through MEDCO’s online portal.

Program Components

The RISE Zone program operates in two stages.

Qualified Institution Designation

An institution must first be designated as a Qualified Institution before a RISE Zone can be established. Eligible institutions include institutions of higher education, regional higher education centers, and nonprofits affiliated with a federal agency. Applications are accepted on a rolling basis and MEDCO will notify applicants of their designation status within 60 days of a complete submission.

RISE Zone Designation

A Qualified Institution applies jointly with a county, municipality, or local economic development agency to designate a specific geographic area as a RISE Zone. Zones may be up to 500 acres. Applications are accepted on a rolling basis and MEDCO will notify applicants of the designation decision within 60 days of a complete submission.

Eligible Institutions

To qualify, an institution must demonstrate:

• An intention to make a significant financial investment in the proposed zone area
• Plans to use its resources and expertise to spur economic development and community revitalization in the zone
• An intention to create a significant number of new jobs within the zone
• A demonstrated history of community involvement and economic development in the communities it serves
• Sufficient financial capacity to meet minimum financial qualifications

Nonprofit applicants must also demonstrate an affiliation with a federal agency.

Benefits for Businesses in a RISE Zone

Enhanced Biotechnology Investor Tax Credit

Qualified investors in a Maryland Qualified Biotechnology Company located in a RISE Zone may be eligible for an income tax credit equal to 75% of their investment, up to $750,000 — more than double the standard credit rate. Previously restrictive eligibility conditions tied to the source of the company’s technology have been removed.

State Business Filing Fee Waivers

Beginning in fiscal year 2027, businesses that locate within a RISE Zone within three years of their filing fee due date and operate in an eligible technology sector qualify for a waiver of State business entity filing fees each year those conditions are met. Eligible sectors include advanced manufacturing, aerospace, agriculture, artificial intelligence, biotechnology, blue technology, cybersecurity, defense, energy and sustainability, life sciences, quantum, and sensor and robotics.

Priority Consideration for Build Our Future Grants

Businesses and organizations located in a RISE Zone receive priority when MEDCO awards Build Our Future Program grants for eligible innovation infrastructure projects, including wet labs, cyber ranges, SCIFs, and prototype manufacturing centers.

Business Concierge Services

MEDCO assigns a dedicated business and community development concierge to RISE Zones to help businesses navigate permits and licenses, access programs at MEDCO, the Department of Commerce, DHCD, the Maryland Department of Labor, TEDCO, and MDOT, and connect to other available resources.

Businesses that located in a RISE Zone prior to January 1, 2023 may also be eligible for property tax credits and job creation income tax credits under the Enterprise Zone program framework. Contact MEDCO to determine eligibility.

Zone Parameters

• Maximum of 500 acres per zone
• Up to three RISE Zones per county or municipality; up to four in Baltimore City
• One additional extraordinary zone per jurisdiction is available for areas that promote quantum computing
• Zones are designated for 10 years, renewable for an additional 10 years
• A RISE Zone need not be immediately adjacent to its qualified institution, provided an appropriate nexus is established; additional flexibility applies to rural areas

Current RISE Zones

How to Apply

To submit applications and supporting documents, please go to: https://medco-corp.wizehive.app/organization/opportunities.

For questions, please contact Nick Henninger-Ayoub, Director of Program Development, at [email protected].

The RISE Zone program and associated tax benefits are authorized through January 1, 2030. Businesses located in a zone at the time of program termination may continue to receive authorized benefits through the expiration date of their zone’s designation.