About the Program

The City of Laurel Department of Economic and Community Development (Laurel ECD) will administer the Returning Citizens Employment Grant Program. This program reflects the City of Laurel’s commitment to supporting second chances, fostering community reintegration, and promoting local economic development. Employment is a necessary component in facilitating successful reentry of formerly incarcerated individuals. This grant program will only accept applications from the business entity. We encourage applicants to contact staff before applying.

The goal of the Returning Citizens Employment Grant aims to provide employment opportunities for individuals who are:

• In compliance with probation/parole requirements from the Federal Government or State of Maryland, OR 
• Have completed probation/parole and have no pending criminal cases at the time of application for employment

Applications will be accepted and reviewed on a first-come, first-served basis. Submission of an incomplete or inaccurate application may result in delay or ineligibility.  Please read all grant terms and application instructions before starting and submitting your application.  Only one (1) application per business entity will be accepted.

This Program will award grants in the amount of up to $10,000 to each eligible business who hires a returning citizen.  Funds to support this program are provided locally through the City of Laurel’s General Operation Budget. 

Eligibility Requirements

To participate in the program, employers must: 

1. Be a business located within the incorporated limits of the City of Laurel. To view the City limits, please visit: https://www.cityoflaurel.org/215/City-Limits-Addresses. 
2. Have a payroll not exceeding $7 million annually. 
3. Employ no more than 50 employees. 
4. Applicant must provide a copy of their current Use and Occupancy permit for the business. 
5. The business must be in good standing with the City of Laurel, Prince George’s County and State of Maryland.

Grant Details

1. The grant will subsidize $5.00 per hour of a returning citizen’s starting salary. 

• For example, if the starting salary is $15.00 per hour, the grant will cover $5.00 per hour. The employer will cover the remaining $10.00 per hour. 
• Once the grant funds for a particular business are exhausted, the employer will be responsible for the full salary. 
• The salary must meet or exceed the State of Maryland’s minimum wage requirements.

2. The City of Laurel will allocate $50,000 from the FY2026 Operating General Budget to fund this initiative.

3. Each eligible business may receive up to $10,000 to hire a returning citizen.

Application Instructions

• Please read all eligibility requirements thoroughly before beginning your application.
• The applicant must first have a pre-application meeting with a representative from the Department of Economic & Community Development. Once determined eligible to apply, the applicant can submit a completed application online. 
• The application may not be updated after submission. Please make sure your application is correct and complete before submitting.
• Only one application submission per business entity will be considered.
• Submission of an incomplete and/or inaccurate application may disqualify a business from being awarded funding. Please check your application for completeness and accuracy before submitting.
• Review the Application Deadlines written below. No applications will be accepted after the deadline.
• Applications must be submitted through the online application portal.
• If assistance is needed with the application, please contact the Economic and Community Development Department.
• Applications should be prepared in a professional manner and provide complete, detailed and accurate information.
• Failure to include all required documentation could result in denial of the application. 
• All documentation and forms must be legible and complete in their entirety with all required information presented in an organized comprehensive and easy to follow manner. 

• Applications will only be accepted electronically through the online application portal.  

Mandatory Documents

• A narrative overview of the business organization
• Estimated budget to include a timeline and breakdown of pay to position
• Program plan for the job position to include job training, job duties and evaluation strategy 
• Quarterly program report and quarterly fiscal report

Note: All required documents listed above should be submitted as an attachment to the online portal. Failure to submit timely and accurate reports can result in delayed reimbursements and could disqualify applicants from future grants.

Selection Process

1. Grants will be awarded to the first five eligible businesses that apply. 
2. Applications will be reviewed in the order they are received. 
3. If an application is deemed ineligible, the selection process will continue until five eligible businesses are identified.

Application Deadlines

Application Deadlines

Applications will be accepted beginning Friday, August 1, 2025.

This grant application will be open until allocated funds are fully distributed. 

Applications will be accepted and reviewed on a first-come, first-served basis. Submission of an incomplete or inaccurate application may result in ineligibility. If you have any questions regarding this grant opportunity, please email the Economic and Community Development at ecd@laurel.md.us.

CLICK HERE TO APPLY