Tax Credits Give Life to Odenton's 'Boomtown'

A tax credit program designed to spur improvements in targeted areas of the county is starting to pay off in northern Odenton, county economic development officials said. 

At least two developers are expected to take advantage of tax credits as they move forward on projects in the area known as “Boomtown,” giving hope to officials who have hoped for redevelopment of the whole strip. 

Proposed projects include Gardner Center, which would include new retail and a car wash, and Meade Center, which could include a restaurant and other commercial space near the corner of Annapolis Road and Berger Street. Specific plans for the sites have not yet been announced. 

Mary Burkholder, the interim president of the Anne Arundel County Economic Development Corp., said the projects have applied for credits that will allow them to avoid taxes on any improvements to their properties for up to five years. She said other property owners have expressed interest in the credits, suggesting there could be new momentum in redeveloping in the area. 

“Making improvements is contagious,” she said. “We think that if one property improves, people might say ‘wow, maybe I should improve, too.”

Burkholder made her comments Tuesday morning at the monthly meeting of the West Anne Arundel County Chamber of Commerce in Gambrills. 

Odenton is located in one of 16 “revitalization” districts in the county where the tax credit can be applied. Business can also use AAEDC to apply for interest-free loans of up to $35,000 for exterior improvements. 

New Cash From Casinos

The AAEDC is now accepting applications for low-interest business loans funded by revenue from casinos in the state. The agency said it has about $3.6 million to lend out this year under its VOLT Fund, and recently awarded its first loan to a Lego learning center in Annapolis. 

Burkholder said that the AAEDC is expected to be one of several agencies serving as fund managers to distribute casino money, and that the annual total of loans available could rise along with gambling revenue. 

“Every year, there will be a new tranche of money,” Burkholder said. “We think there’s going to be a steady stream of it.”

See also: 

• Landowner Proposes Razing, Redeveloping 'Boomtown' Stretch
• Route 175 Widening Could Lead to Boomtown Redevelopment