MARBIDCO Grant Programs
Agricultural & Rural-Business Industry Grant Programs
Targeted grant incentive programs for Maryland's food and fiber industries
The Maryland Agricultural and Resource-Based Industry Development Corporation (MARBIDCO) was established with a unique mission to assist Maryland’s farm, forestry, and seafood businesses. MARBIDCO offers affordable debt financing and targeted grant incentives to help farmers and resource-based industry business owners achieve profitability and sustainability. In addition, MARBIDCO’s programs promote agricultural entrepreneurship and nurturing emerging food and fiber markets.
Partnering with various public and private entities, MARBIDCO offers grants for specific agricultural and rural-based industry business ventures. Our grant programs are available to qualified farmers, business owners and local governments, and are intended to help these entities obtain commercial financing and/or qualify for federal, state or county government grant opportunities.
What Type of Businesses Qualify for MARBIDCO Grants?
MARBIDCO works with agricultural and resource-based businesses such as forestry, seafood, and on-farm processors. In providing these grants, our goal is to help business owners innovate, diversify and exploit emerging market opportunities in food and fiber production and rural tourism.
Examples of innovative business activities and enterprises include, but are not limited to:
- On-farm and value-added food processing
- Smaller scale secondary wood products manufacturing
- Business-related technology enhancements (especially those related to energy efficiency)
How To Apply For MARBIDCO Grant Programs
Grant applications are typically made on a competitive basis. Please see individual programs for application deadlines and specific application requirements.
MARBIDCO’s Grant Review Committee is made up of individuals with experience in agricultural lending, rural development, and agriculture and resource-based business. Ranking factors include the economic development significance of the enterprise to be financed and potential economic viability of the business relative to the resources available.
MARBIDCO staff is available to consult with individuals and businesses to determine which programs are the best fit. Applications for each program is available through our website.
MARBIDCO Grant Incentive Programs
Maryland Producer Cold Storage Grant Program - This grant assists those in the farming and commercial fishing industries with the purchase of cold storage equipment and installation assistance if needed. MARBIDCO will match up to 50% of the cost of the project, with a maximum grant award amount of $1,000. Learn more.
Local Farm Enterprise Food Aggregation Grant Fund Program - Designed to make investments in good aggregation projects to help to grow and strengthen Maryland’s local food system and to create opportunities for small farmers to sell products to wholesale and institutional markets. Learn more.
Maryland Urban Agriculture Commercial Lending Incentive Grant (MUACLIG) - Meets the financing needs of urban farmers by providing an incentive for them to seek commercial lender financing for the development or expansion of their agricultural enterprise. Maximum incentive grant is $10,000, calculated at no more than 20% of the project’s total cost and no more than 25% of the amount approved by the commercial lender for the project. Learn more
Local Government Ag/RBI Project Cost Share Program - To support local and regional rural development efforts. MARBIDCO will consider matching cost-share requests from local or regional economic development offices if the project fits within MARBIDCO’s statutory established mission area. Learn more
The Maryland Value-Added Producer Matching Grant Program (MVAPMG – USDA Option) - Designed to encourage participation in USDA’s highly competitive Value Added Producer Grant Program. The USDA VAPG Program requires a one-to-one match on both the Planning Grant and Working Capital Grant options with maximum awards of $75,000 and $250,000, respectively. MARBIDCO will support applicants with up to a maximum of 15% of the USDA matching funds requirement. Learn more
Upper Shore Regional Council Farm Incentive Fund - Designed to encourage farms and other businesses to expand or diversify their operations by incentivizing loan requests from farmers in the Upper Shore Region and help them meet certain down-payment (equity) requirement. Learn more.
The Southern Maryland Agricultural Equity Incentive Matching Fund - Designed to incentivize loan requests from Southern Maryland farmers, and to help them meet certain down-payment (equity) requirements in order to help improve the credit quality of their applications. Learn More.