USMSM Qualifies as First RISE Institution in Maryland
The University System of Maryland at Southern Maryland has been approved as a qualified institution under the state's RISE Zone program.
Updated on Nov. 10, 2026 in Higher Education
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The University System of Maryland at Southern Maryland (USMSM) was approved as a qualified institution under Maryland's RISE Zone program on Oct. 27, 2025. It is the first regional higher-education center in Maryland to qualify, though qualification alone does not establish a RISE Zone.
Why it matters
The RISE Zone program aims to spur business investment, innovation, and job growth in areas tied to eligible higher education and research institutions. USMSM's status positions Southern Maryland to pursue zone designation and leverage regional strengths in aerospace, defense, and engineering.
The approval, granted Oct. 27, 2025, makes USMSM the first regional higher-education center in Maryland to qualify under the RISE program. Qualification does not by itself establish a RISE Zone, and the zone application and acreage remain under planning.
The players
University System of Maryland at Southern Maryland (USMSM)
A regional higher-education center in Southern Maryland that serves as an academic and technology anchor within the AeroPark Innovation District.
Maryland Economic Development Corporation
The state entity that administers the RISE Zone program as of July 1, 2026.
The details
Eligible businesses within approved zones may benefit from state filing-fee waivers, priority consideration for Build Our Future grants, and enhanced biotech investor tax credits. USMSM, located within the AeroPark Innovation District in California, MD, serves as an academic and technology anchor linking employers, educational programs, and innovation-driven industries.
Timeline
Oct. 27, 2025: USMSM approved as a qualified RISE institution.
July 1, 2026: Maryland Economic Development Corporation begins administering the RISE Zone program.
Roadmap
USMSM's qualification follows the launch of Maryland's RISE Zone program, which the state's economic development corporation began administering on July 1, 2026. The approval extends that program into Southern Maryland, where the region seeks to build on its aerospace, defense, and engineering base.
Businesses in Southern Maryland may eventually benefit from RISE Zone incentives, including filing-fee waivers and enhanced biotech investor tax credits, if a zone is established. Residents interested in workforce development may watch for programs tied to USMSM's engineering, autonomous systems, and advanced technology focus.
The takeaway
Qualification under the RISE program is a prerequisite step rather than a finished designation, so the practical benefits depend on whether a zone is formally established. Monitoring the zone application process will show when incentives become available.
Further reading
For related coverage, explore Higher Education news across the state.
Source note: This article includes information reported by The Lexington Park Leader.
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