April 28th, 2016 by WCBC Radio

For a second straight year, State Senator George Edward’s rural tax incentive bill didn’t pass but the Garrett County Republican is hopeful after some tweaking the third time will be the charm.  Senator Edwards has the backing of Michael “Mike” Gill, secretary of the Department of Commerce, who voiced support last year.  Maryland’s rural incentive bill would target areas that have the highest unemployment and the lowest median income. The main areas of Maryland targeted for the program would be Allegany, Garrett and Washington counties, and the lower end of the Eastern Shore. The rural development program features two parts. The first portion will offer tax incentives to companies that want to locate a business with 20 employees or more to a rural area. The incentives will also be available to a business that is expanding and adding 20 or more new jobs. Edwards said that there were any number of economic development bills up for consideration- but they were all rejected…