Garrett County Business Development

Garrett County Business Development is the county office that works to attract, keep and grow businesses in Garrett County. It's part of the county's Department of Community Development and sits in Room 208 at 203 South Fourth Street in downtown Oakland, next to the County Commissioners' office, and it's a good first call if you're starting, expanding or relocating a business here.

How the Office Helps

The office focuses on industries such as manufacturing, distribution, back office and call centers, energy, agriculture and recreation, but its resources are useful to businesses of any size:

• Listings of available commercial sites and space
• Exporting assistance
• Tools and links for starting and running a business
• Workshops with partners such as SCORE and the Small Business Development Center

Grants and Incentives

County programs include a Small Business Marketing Grant, an Agricultural Marketing Grant and a Property Tax Incentive Program, along with regional incentives. Staff can also point you toward state programs, such as Enterprise Zones, the Job Creation Tax Credit, More Jobs for Marylanders and support for small, minority-, women- and veteran-owned businesses, plus federal HUBZone and Opportunity Zone designations.

Local Initiatives

The office runs the Make It in the Mountains and Power of Possibilities campaigns, highlights local companies through its Business Spotlight and Business Bear Podcast, and guides the county's 2023–2027 Economic Development Strategic Plan. It also points to attainable housing resources for people moving to the area for work.

If you have a business idea or are looking for space in Garrett County, reach out to the office to talk through what's available.

Call Us!

• Website
• (301) 334-1921
• Email