Maryland Secretary of Commerce Kelly M. Schulz announced the re-designation of Frostburg’s Arts and Entertainment (A&E) District in Maryland for an additional 10-year period. The District offers tax-related incentives to help attract artists, arts organizations, and other creative enterprises to the area, and is aimed at developing and promoting community involvement, tourism, and revitalization.
“Maryland’s Arts and Entertainment Districts serve an important role in revitalizing communities across the state,” said Secretary Schulz. “This designation helps attract artists and creative businesses and gives counties and municipalities the ability to develop unique arts experiences that engage residents and attract visitors. I look forward to seeing how these districts utilize the designations for community and economic revitalization.”
During its second designation period, Frostburg hopes to elevate awareness of the district and the benefits available, secure funding for additional public art projects, attract artists, and market the town locally, regionally, and nationally as an arts destination.
A new economic impact study released this month shows that new businesses and events in Maryland Arts and Entertainment Districts collectively supported over $1 billion in state GDP, approximately $72.1 million in state and local tax revenues, and 9,987 jobs that paid over $320 million in wages in FY2018. Since the program’s inception in 2001, the growing number of districts across the state have helped communities spur economic revitalization and leverage the arts to work toward community-driven creative placemaking goals.
Managed by the Maryland State Arts Council, the designation program makes available a set of tax credits and incentives meant to encourage economic development through the arts. There are now 28 districts spread throughout 18 counties and Baltimore City, each working to promote its unique character while bolstering arts activity, promoting livability, and encouraging tourism. To learn more about the program, visit FrostburgFirst’s website at www.downtownfrostburg.com or the Maryland State Arts Council at https://www.msac.org/programs/arts-entertainment-districts. To get involved in the Frostburg Arts & Entertainment District or find out more about tax incentives, contact FrostburgFirst at (301) 689-6900 or [email protected].
