MARBIDCO Grant Programs
Pandemic Adjustment Equipment Grant Fund
Obtain funds to diversify business in light of COVID-19
To help Maryland’s food and fiber producers, harvesters and primary processors adjust to the business disruptions caused by COVID-19, MARBIDCO is offering the Pandemic Adjustment Equipment Grant Fund (PAEGF), which has been established using federal Coronavirus Relief Funds provided by the State of Maryland(Maryland Department of Health). Grants range from $1,000 up to a maximum of $50,000 (or $75,000 for wood and seafood processors or agricultural cooperatives) are available up to 80% of the eligible project cost, with the applicant repsonsible for the other 20% of the project.
This program is currently closed.
Overview
The Pandemic Adjustment Equipment Grant Fund is desinged to help Maryland’s food and fiber producers, harvesters and primary processors make necessary adjustments in their business operations, which are necessitated by the impact of the pandemic. The program will enable applicants to acquire grants for qualifying capital equipment purchases and facility upgrades for on-farm production, processing and storage, as well as wood processing and seafood processing, on the condition that these businesses are making pandemic-related business improvements. Grants ranging from $1,000 up to a maximum of $50,000 (or $75,000 for wood and seafood processors or agricultural cooperatives) are available up to 80% of the eligible project cost. Applications requesting $20,000 or less will likely have a higher priority for funding.
Applicants to the grant may also apply to use loan proceeds from the Pandemic Adjustment Loan Fund (or another MARBIDCO loan program), to help satisfy the 20% matching requirement for the Pandemic Adjustment Equipment Grant Fund program.
Applicants also must demonstrate that they have been impacted by the COVID-19 Pandemic and that the grant funds will be used to adjust their operations to serve new markets and make their operations more economically sustainable.
The grant and matching funds must be used for equipment projects that are defined as capital assets by MARBIDCO. Examples of capital assets include, but are not limited to, production buildings and major fixtures, refrigeration equipment and related food storage facilities, processing facilities, composting equipment and facilities, creamery production equipment, manure digesters, optimization systems for maximizing fiber yield recovery, dry kilns, shavings mills, sawdust dryers and in-woods chippers.
Maximum Grant Amount: $50,000 (up to $75,000 for wood or seafood processors or agricultural cooperatives.)
Minimum Grant Amount: $1,000
MARBIDCO Deadline: Received electronically by June 10, 2020, or postmarked by June 6, 2020.