Enterprise Zones

Harford County's focus on its 2 Enterprise Zones in Aberdeen/Havre de Grace and Edgewood/Joppa are designated by the Maryland Department of Business and Economic Development in order to:
  • Encourage the creation of well-paying new jobs.
  • Ensure retention and spur expansion of resident businesses.
  • Promote development and occupancy of vacant, underutilized land and buildings.
  • Support the county's commitment to revitalizing older industrial areas of Harford County.

Enterprise Zones (Click map to enlarge)

Enterprise Zones Map October 2019

Enterprise Zone Tax Incentives



Harford County encourages development in its two enterprise zones in Aberdeen/Havre de Grace and Edgewood/Joppa by providing tax credits to businesses that invest in the area. There are two types of tax credits available: real property tax credits and income tax credits.

  • Real property tax credits are available for up to ten years on capital investments, with a credit of 80% on increases in assessed value of real property for the first five years. The credit then decreases by 10% annually for the remaining five years.
  • There are two types of income tax credits. First is a one-time $1,000 tax credit per new job created. An additional tax credit is available for businesses that hire economically-disadvantaged employees, with the credit increasing to $6,000 total per eligible employee distributed over three years. 

Enterprise Zones - Amendments

EZ with Proposed Amendment

Aberdeen/Havre de Grace

  • Amended November 2017 (expires 6/14/26)
  • 9,720+ acre zone
  • Properties situated along U.S. 40 and in Aberdeen and Havre de Grace municipalities
  • East to include portions of Aberdeen Proving Ground
  • South to Belcamp and Perryman
  • West to HEAT Center
  • Business parks located within the zone
  • 40 East Industrial Park
  • Aberdeen Industrial Center
  • Advantage Business Center
  • Chesapeake Industrial Park
  • Cranberry Run Business Park
  • Enterprise Business Park
  • Hardee's Industrial Park
  • Harford Gateway
  • Hickory Ridge Industrial Park
  • North Gate Business Park
  • Perryman Industrial Park
  • Rock Glenn Business Park
  • The HEAT Center
  • Water's Edge Corporate Campus

    • Eligibility

    Business must be located within the zone and meet minimum requirements for job creation or for capital investment, including, but not limited to, specified design standards.

    Minimum Capital Investment Construction/Rehabilitation of Real Property

  • $100,000 (if business has 10 or less employees)
  • $125,000 (if business has 11 or more employees)

    • Minimum Job Creation

  • 2 NEW jobs* (if business has 10 or less employees)
  • 5 NEW jobs* (if business has 11 or more employees)

    • * Working 35 hours per week or more, hourly pay must be 150% of minimum wage; half of work time must be within Enterprise Zone

    Edgewood/Joppa

  • Re-designated June 2014 (expires 6/01/24)
  • 3,946 acre zone
  • Properties situated along U.S. 40, MD 24, MD 755, MD 152 and U.S. Rt. 7
  • Business parks located within the zone
  • Clayton Station
  • Emmorton Business Park
  • Fashion Park
  • Joppa Commerce Center
  • Lakeside Business Park
  • Magnolia Business Park
  • William Paca Business Park

    • Eligibility

    Business must be located within the zone and meet minimum requirements for job creation or for capital investment, including, but not limited to, specified design standards.

    Minimum Capital Investment Construction/rehabilitation of Real Property: $100,000

    Minimum Job Creation: 5 NEW (Working 35 hours per week or more, hourly pay must be 150% of minimum wage, half of work time must be within Enterprise Zone)