Maryland

Per Governor Hogan: Governor Larry Hogan announced that applications for the new Maryland Global Gateway program are now available. At the World Economic Forum in Switzerland earlier this year, the governor announced an inaugural $2 million investment in this innovative program, which helps attract more international businesses and eases their transition into the U.S. market by connecting them with local incubators and accelerators.

“The Maryland Global Gateway program removes many of the risks that international companies face when exploring the U.S. market, and we are very pleased to launch this application process,” said Governor Hogan. “Maryland truly is open for business. Our state is worth the attention and investment of even more international companies, and now we look forward to making it easier than ever to forge closer ties with partners across the globe.”

Governor Larry Hogan proclaimed September 2022 as the 4th annual International Underground Railroad Month in Maryland. The month acknowledges the significance of the Underground Railroad, and all those involved, for its contribution to the eradication of slavery in the United States and as a cornerstone for the more comprehensive civil rights movement that followed. Maryland also continues to honor 2022 as the “Year of Harriet Tubman” to celebrate the 200th anniversary of Tubman’s birth.

“It’s an honor for Maryland to share the stories of the heroes of the Underground Railroad with the world in every possible way,” said Governor Hogan. “This month, International Underground Railroad Month, is a way to encourage everyone to visit historical sites and attractions and take part in special events, so we can continue to commemorate the visionary freedom fighters and those they rescued.”

The University of Maryland Athletics program has announced the launch of Maryland Marketplace, that allows fans and supporters to purchase shoutouts, videos, social media posts, and even ad pitches from their favorite student athletes. The platform, which is similar to Cameo, allows the student-athletes to maximize earnings through Name, Image, Likeness (NIL). The platform includes former Maryland student-athletes like Stefon Diggs, Steve Blake, and more.

Per UMTerps: Maryland Athletics announced the launch of the Maryland Marketplace, one of the first licensed school Name, Image, Likeness (NIL) marketplaces in college sports. The Opendorse-powered marketplace will maximize NIL support for Terrapin student-athletes. Maryland is among the first programs nationwide to provide a single marketplace platform to send supporters to access student-athletes and offer NIL opportunities. The marketplace gives Maryland fans, brands and sponsors the ability to browse, book, pitch and pay current and former Terp student-athletes for NIL activities in one compliant platform, built specifically for the athletes’ needs.

Per the Maryland Department of Transportation: Bottles. Food wrappers. Plastic bags. Cigarette butts. Cardboard boxes. Litter on Maryland roadways can take many different shapes and forms, but they all waste money and resources, and threaten the health of our environment.

During the past eight years, the Maryland Department of Transportation (MDOT) has spent $60 million – averaging more than $7 million annually – to clean up 14 million pounds of litter along our state roadways. That money could have been spent to improve pedestrian and bicyclist facilities, augment transit connections or undertake other critical transportation projects to make our roadways safer and more accessible for all users.

From the Office of the Maryland Comptroller: Comptroller Peter Franchot urges eligible Marylanders to act fast and apply for the Student Loan Debt Relief Tax Credit Programfor Tax Year 2022. Applications must be submitted by September 15. “Going to college may seem out of reach for many Marylanders given the huge expense, but tax credits like these help make it possible. I urge everyone to apply now before time runs out,” Comptroller Franchot said. “Any way to bring down the cost of higher education is a big benefit.”

The program, which is administered by the Maryland Higher Education Commission(MHEC), provides an income tax credit for Maryland residents making eligible undergraduate and/or graduate education payments on loans from an accredited college or university. To be eligible, you must claim Maryland residency for the 2022 tax year, file 2022 Maryland state income taxes, have incurred at least $20,000 in undergraduate and/or graduate student loan debt and have at least $5,000 in outstanding student loan debt upon applying for the tax credit.