1. (a) In this subtitle the following words have the meanings indicated.

2. (b)

   1. (1) “Development costs” means the costs incurred to develop, redevelop, or expand a neighborhood business development project.

   2. (2) “Development costs” includes the costs of:

      1. (i) necessary studies, surveys, plans, and specifications;
      2. (ii) architectural, engineering, or other special services, including flood plain studies, environmental audits, and critical area or wetland assessments;
      3. (iii) land and improvements;
      4. (iv) site preparation;
      5. (v) construction, reconstruction, and rehabilitation;
      6. (vi) machinery, equipment, and furnishings;
      7. (vii) essential operating costs, including working capital and occupancy expenses;
      8. (viii) indemnity and surety bonds and premiums on insurance;
      9. (ix) temporary relocation expenses; and
      10. (x) other costs determined to be acceptable by the Department.
3. (c) “Eligible opportunity zone” means an area designated as a qualified opportunity zone under § 1400Z-1 of the Internal Revenue Code that is located in Allegany County, Garrett County, Somerset County, or Wicomico County.
4. (d) “Food desert” means the part of a priority funding area or an eligible opportunity zone designated by the Secretary under § 6-308(c) of this subtitle.
5. (e) “Fund” means the Neighborhood Business Development Fund.
6. (f) “Microenterprise” means a business that qualifies as a microenterprise under § 6-302 of this subtitle.
7. (g) “Priority funding area” means an area designated as a priority funding area under § 5-7B-02 of the State Finance and Procurement Article.
8. (h) “Program” means the Neighborhood Business Development Program.

9. (i)

   1. (1) “Project” means a neighborhood business development project that receives financial assistance from the Fund.

   2. (2) “Project” includes:

      1. (i) a microenterprise project that receives financial assistance from the Fund; and
      2. (ii) a food desert project that receives financial assistance from the Fund.
10. (j) “Small business” means a business that qualifies as a small business under § 6-302 of this subtitle.

11. (k) “Sustainable community” means the part of a priority funding area that:

    1. (1) as determined by the Sustainable Growth Subcabinet, satisfies the requirements of § 6-205 of this title;
    2. (2) has been designated as a BRAC Revitalization and Incentive Zone under Title 5, Subtitle 13 of the Economic Development Article; or
    3. (3) has been designated a transit-oriented development under § 7-101 of the Transportation Article.

Added by Acts 2005, c. 26, § 2, eff. Oct. 1, 2005. Amended by Acts 2008, c. 36, § 6, eff. April 8, 2008; Acts 2008, c. 338, § 1, eff. Oct. 1, 2008; Acts 2010, c. 118, § 1, eff. Oct. 1, 2010; Acts 2010, c. 487, § 1, eff. June 1, 2010; Acts 2014, c. 228, § 1, eff. Oct. 1, 2014; Acts 2016, c. 482, § 2, eff. July 1, 2016; Acts 2019, c. 211, § 3, eff. July 1, 2019; Acts 2021, c. 91, § 1, eff. July 1, 2021; Acts 2025, c. 142, § 5.