Written by Denise Beaver
If you are planning to expand your business in Carroll County or move your business here, the first call you should make is to Carroll County Economic Development at 410-386-2070. Deciding on a business location is the most important decision a business owner makes. Many considerations influence where a company chooses to locate – real estate options and cost, zoning, market conditions, supply chain needs, customer base location, tax rates, and workforce availability – all are important elements that will impact the bottom line success of any company.
Carroll County works individually with each business in their location analysis. Using a state-of-the-art geographical information system, we provide the best locations that meet your requirements whether they are based on infrastructure, household income and daytime employment, consumer spending and traffic patterns, and average wage rates. We subscribe to CoStar Commercial Real Estate program and will search available listings. Our experienced economic development professionals will help you to navigate the complexities of site selection process.
For significant land development projects, Economic Development coordinates with our interdepartmental team of review agencies. This coordination effort helps to identify any potential issues at an early stage, so your project moves quickly through the site development process.
In addition, the County has streamlined regulations for smaller site plans. Generally, business development projects disturbing less than 5,000 square feet with no additional proposed road entrances or other special considerations may be eligible for a simplified site plan review.
If you are simply moving into existing space, our goal is to help you navigate the permitting process and comply with all applicable codes and regulations. By submitting the site development process form online, you will ensure that the most appropriate agency is responding to your inquiry. The property’s zoning prescribes allowable business activities – this is a key factor to determine before expanding or adding any new business venture.
For help with project financing, Darren Peyton, Regional Director of the Carroll County Small Business Development Center provides no-cost counseling and lender connections; he can be reached at dpeyton@carrollcc.edu.
Deputy Director Paige Sunderland works with all businesses to answer questions and to help them to understand the county requirements and will put the business owner, engineer, or developer in touch with the Zoning Administrator or Development Review, Department of Public Works, and Permits and Inspections personnel. Consider us a part of your expansion or relocation team!
