The Maryland Agricultural and Resource-Based Industry Development Corp. has announced that five new grant programs have been established to provide immediate pandemic adjustment and economic development assistance to agricultural and rural businesses in Maryland.

These programs are funded with $2 million that MARBIDCO will receive from the Recovery for the Economy, Livelihoods, Industries, Entrepreneurs, and Families Act — a bipartisan measure sponsored by Gov. Larry Hogan and passed by the Maryland General Assembly.

With this newly available funding, MARBIDCO is offering the following grant programs: the Maryland Livestock Processing Equipment Relief Grant Program, the Maryland Shellfish Aquaculture Relief Grant, the Maryland Urban Farmer Relief Grant, the Maryland Local Food Cold Storage Relief Grant Program, and the Maryland Wood Products Industry Equity Investment Relief Fund.

The Maryland Livestock Processing Equipment Relief Grant Program provides grants of up to $100,000 (up to 75% of the cost) to livestock processors to buy meat processing equipment to help expand the capacity of their enterprises. The demand for local meat products overwhelmed local processors during the pandemic, which led to scheduling backlogs at small processing facilities and farmers having to hold their livestock for longer periods of time. This program will potentially help to relieve some of this demand by providing funds to facilities to expand their processing capacity. First-round applications are due April 1.

The Maryland Shellfish Aquaculture Relief Grant provides grants of between $500 and $2,000 to people holding state submerged land or water column aquaculture leases. The grants can assist shellfish aquaculture producers with their spring planting expenses, some of which are mandated under state law. There are about 175 oyster farms in Maryland, and many of these farms experienced large revenue losses in 2020 because of a dramatic decline in restaurant sales. First-round applications are due by March 15.

The Maryland Urban Farmer Relief Grant provides grants of $500 to urban farmers to assist with a portion of the costs associated with the urban commercial production of locally grown food products this spring. Urban farmers played a significant role in helping to feed city residents during the pandemic. First-round applications are due March 15.

The Maryland Local Food Cold Storage Relief Grant Program provides grants of up to $15,000 (up to 50% of the cost) to help agricultural and seafood businesses purchase the cold storage equipment that is needed to continue or expand operations. Farmers needing new cold storage equipment and facilities have increased significantly during the pandemic. First-round applications are due April 1.

The Maryland Wood Products Industry Equity Incentive Relief Fund provides grants of 20% to 33% of a project’s cost up to $225,000, with the aim to help forest harvesters and wood fiber processors purchase new equipment or construct facilities to increase the utilization and production of wood products in Maryland. The forest products industry has been devastated by the closure of mills and the loss of markets in recent years, and the pandemic has exacerbated this problem. There are more than 157,000 private forestland owners in Maryland owning 10 or more acres of woodland. First-round applications are due April 1.

Further information about these programs, including the application forms, may be obtained by visiting MARBIDCO’s website at marbidco.org. Interested people also can call the MARBIDCO office at 410-267-6807.

Source: Maryland Department of Agriculture, which is solely responsible for the information provided and is wholly owned by the source. Informa Business Media and all its subsidiaries are not responsible for any of the content contained in this information asset.