Laurel Thrive Small Business Grant Program
City of Laurel Department of Economic and Community Development
$10,000
$10K grants for new Laurel businesses; $50K total fund; first-come, first-served until exhausted.
The City of Laurel, Maryland, administers the Thrive Small Business Grant Program to provide $10,000 grants to new businesses located within approved commercial, office, and industrial zones in the city. The program has a total fund of $50,000 and accepts applications on a first-come, first-served basis until funds are exhausted. Businesses must open between July 1, 2025, and June 30, 2026, and must remain in operation in Laurel for at least four years or face a clawback penalty.
- Funding type
- Grant
- Level
- Municipal
- Amount range
- $10,000 – $10,000
- Realistic amount
- $10,000 fixed award per selected business.
- Deadline
- Open until allocated funds are fully distributed
- Status
- active
- States
- MD
Who qualifies
- Business must be located within the municipal boundaries of the City of Laurel in an approved zone
- Must hold a valid City of Laurel Use and Occupancy permit
- Business must open between July 1, 2025, and June 30, 2026
- Must remain in operation within Laurel for at least four years
- Must be in good standing with the State of Maryland
- Applicant, owners, and property owner must be current on all taxes
- Pre-application meeting with Economic and Community Development is required
- Must submit a current business plan
Who is not eligible
- Houses of Worship
- Banks and Financial Institutions
- Food Trucks
- Corporate-Owned Franchises
- Online businesses
- Businesses in which City Staff or elected officials have a 25% or greater financial interest
- Businesses that received City of Laurel funding within the last five years
What it covers
Eligible expenses
- Utility improvements required due to safety, efficiency, or operational changes
- Equipment and equipment installation costs
- Point of Sale systems and accessories
- Office equipment, computers, and software
- Interior remodeling (painting, lighting, flooring, bathroom renovation)
- Exterior signage, window signage, awnings, and canopies
- Security systems
Ineligible expenses
- Professional, engineering, architectural, and permit fees related to eligible improvements
- Business rent or mortgage payments
- Artwork and décor
- Payroll expenses
How to apply
-
1
Confirm zoning and opening date eligibility
Verify the property is in an approved Laurel commercial, office, or industrial zone and that the business opened between July 1, 2025, and June 30, 2026.
~0.5 hrs
-
2
Schedule required pre-application meeting with ECD
Contact the City of Laurel Economic and Community Development Department to schedule the mandatory pre-application meeting.
~1 hrs
-
3
Prepare business plan and supporting documents
Gather the business plan, Use and Occupancy permit, tax compliance documentation, and owner/property owner information.
~4 hrs
-
4
Submit online application
Submit through the online application portal before the fund is exhausted. Only one application per business entity is accepted.
~1.5 hrs
Awards are first-come, first-served; schedule the mandatory pre-application meeting early and submit as soon as the business plan and zoning documentation are ready.
Deadline & timing
First-come, first-served until the $50,000 fund is exhausted. Business must open between July 1, 2025, and June 30, 2026. Double-fetch confirmed on 2026-08-25.
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Required documents
- Current business plan
- City of Laurel Use and Occupancy permit
- Proof of location in an approved zone
- Evidence of opening date between July 1, 2025, and June 30, 2026
- Tax compliance documentation for business and owners
- Property owner sign-off if applicant is not the property owner
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Alternatives computed from the live GrantCompass catalog on August 25, 2026 — all 183 open grant programs · filter the database.
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Researched and verified 2026-08-24 against the official program source. GrantCompass is an independent funding-discovery tool and is not affiliated with any government agency. Always confirm details on the official program page.