Owners of historic commercial properties take note: Now is the time to submit an application for a state income tax credit for renovating your historic structures in Maryland.  The Maryland Historical Trust is accepting fiscal year 2015 applications for the Sustainable Communities Competitive Commercial Tax Credit program through August 31. Commercial property owners may receive a tax credit of up to 20 percent of eligible expenses to a total of $3 million for substantial rehabilitation projects.

The Maryland Scenic Byways Program Advisory Committee has published a strategic plan to integrate Maryland's Scenic Byways to the surrounding landscape. Maryland Scenic Byways: Moving Forward Toward Sustainability guides and supports the system of scenic byways as an integral part of Maryland's transportation network.  As part of the plan, the State Highway Administration (SHA) is installing new signs for the state and national routes to meet modern traffic standards. For local agencies and advocates, the Maryland Department of Planning (MDP) and SHA developed the Scenic Byways Resource Protection Application, a GIS-based mapping tool to inventory protected, vulnerable and threatened resources along Maryland's Scenic Byways.

To stay abreast of comp plan reviews throughout Maryland, check MDP's Local Comprehensive Plan page regularly.