The Maryland Department of Agriculture Teams Up with the Northeast Regional Food Business Center
Great news for food businesses in Maryland! The Maryland Department of Agriculture is joining forces with the Northeast Regional Food Business Center. They’re launching the Business Builder funding opportunity to help small and mid-sized farms and food businesses, including those in aquaculture and wild-caught fishing.
This program comes with $10 million in funding, offering grants between $15,000 and $100,000. The goal is to help businesses grow, reach new markets, and connect different parts of the food supply chain.
The Business Builder program funds projects through three specific tracks:
- Equipment and Upgrades: Support for purchasing things like wash-and-pack stations, refrigerated vans, cold storage units, and food safety upgrades.
- Business Development: Funding for business planning, financial advice, supply chain insights, food safety training, and workforce development.
- Market Expansion: Assistance for new product development, market analysis, packaging supplies, and necessary kitchen appliances.
Applications opened on February 24 and close on April 7. Winners will be announced in July, with projects starting in August.
To help applicants, the Northeast Regional Food Business Center has a pre-recorded webinar available. Plus, there will be live informational webinars on March 3, March 11, March 19, and March 27, where you can ask questions and get tips on the application process.
The Northeast Regional Food Business Center was set up in 2023, bringing together various organizations, including the Maryland Department of Agriculture and Cornell University. This collaboration aims to strengthen the regional food economy.
For more information and to apply for the Business Builder funding, visit the Northeast Regional Food Business Center website.
Check out this related article: Unlock Your Culinary Dreams: Northeast Regional Food Business Center Reveals Exciting Funding Opportunity for Aspiring Food Entrepreneurs!
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