Man standing with logsGrapes in Maryland vineyardMaryland Blue CrabsGirl with apples
 

MARBIDCO Loan Programs

Agricultural & Rural Business Industry Loan Programs

Affordable financing for Maryland’s food and fiber production businesses

MARBIDCO was established by the Maryland General Assembly in 2007 to help enhance the sustainability and profitability of the State’s agricultural and resource-based industries. We serve to bolster rural economies, develop and sustain locally-produced food and fiber products, and preserve working farm and forest land.

MARBIDCO is a nimble quasi-public financial intermediary organization (which is an instrumentality of the State of Maryland), with a particular mission to serve the commercial farming, forestry and seafood industries in the State.

We work cooperatively with commercial banks and a host of federal, state, regional and local government agencies as well as the University of Maryland Extension to deliver more than a dozen financing programs.

MPT Sunset farm in New Windsor, MD

Photo: Maryland Public Television

Loan Programs

MARBIDCO’s loan programs are designed to meet key agricultural, forestry, or seafood business financing needs. Loans can be used for land purchases, facilities construction or renovation, equipment acquisition or working capital and often leverage commercial lender funds.

MARBIDCO loans range from $10,000 to $900,000 and, with some exceptions, must be fully collateralized. In addition to our core loan programs, MARBIDCO offers several specialty programs that are funded by partnering organizations for targeted purposes, such as the Maryland Shellfish Aquaculture Financing Fund Program and the Rural Business Energy Efficiency Improvement Loan Fund.

MARBIDCO also offers lending incentive grants that have a 5% equity contribution towards MARBIDCO loans, up to the maximum loan amount depending on the program. These grants are offered in eight counties along the upper eastern shore and in southern Maryland, including Anne Arundel, Calvert, Cecil, Charles, Kent, Queen Anne's, Prince George's, and St. Mary's county. Read more about the Upper Shore program here, and the Southern Maryland grants here.

The core loan programs also offer a Home Town Hero interest rate reduction for applicants who have served or currently serve in the United States Military. For more information, click here.

How To Apply For MARBIDCO Loan Programs

Requests for loans and business planning assistance are made on a competitive basis.

MARBIDCO’s Loan Review Committees are made up of individuals with experience in agricultural lending, rural development, and agriculture and resource-based business. Ranking factors include the potential economic viability of the business enterprise relative to the resources available, as well as the credit worthiness of the borrower.

MARBIDCO staff is available to consult with individuals and businesses to determine which programs are the best fit. Applications for each program are available through our website.

Rural Business Loan Programs

These loan programs are often referred to as "core loan programs." They have a relatively quick loan approval turnaround time, typically 21 days or less. All core loan programs have a 1.00% orgination fee. These rural business loan programs also offer a Home Town Hero interest rate reduction for applicants who have served or currently serve in the United States Military. For more information, click here.

Maryland Resource-Based Industry Financing Fund (MRBIFF) – Low-interest step-rate loans to Ag/RBI-industry enterprises for the purchase of land and capital equipment for production and processing activities (including building construction). Maximum loan amount is $300,000 for acquisition of equipment and fixed assets, $600,000 for real estate purchases and $900,000 for large-scale food/fiber processing projects. Learn More

Maryland Vineyard/Hopyard/Orchard Planting Loan Fund – Low-interest loans to help meet the unique financing needs of Maryland’s landowners wanting to plant fruit-bearing vines and trees. Maximum loan amount is $100,000 and an interest-only option is available for a period of two to three years. The purchase of tractors, pick-up trucks, and wine- or beer-making equipment are not eligible for financing under this particular program. Learn More

Agri-Business Equipment and Working Capital Loan Fund – Moderate cost loans to Ag/RBI-industry firms and producers for working capital equipment purchases, typically working in conjuction with another public sector lender. The program is designed to help rural businesses innovate, diversify and exploit emerging opporunities in response to the pandemic. Maximum loan amount is $100,000. Learn More

Forestry Equipment and Working Capital Loan Fund – Loans for Maryland forest product businesses with respect to working capital equipment purchases. Maximum loan amount is $150,000. Learn More

Waterman MARBIDCO

Photo: Maryland Public Television

Specialty Loan Programs

Maryland Watermen's Microloan Program - Financing for the equipment needs of Generational Watermen. Must be a qualifying commercial waterman that is a licensed by DNR (with a Tidal Fisheries License) who can demonstrate that 50% or more of the waterman’s annual income was derived from commercial seafood harvesting. (Such a qualifying waterman is a “generational waterman” for purposes of this program.) Eligible tangible equipment that may be purchased includes boats, motors and harvesting gear for example and must have a useful lifespan of at least 7 years. Learn More

Maryland Shellfish Aquaculture Financing Fund – Helps watermen (and others) transition from wild oyster harvesting to start or expand underwater shellfish farming enterprises using leased growing areas in the Chesapeake or Coastal Bay. Loan proceeds may be used to purchase shell, seed, spat, or equipment. Bottom culture and water column (cages or floats) projects are eligible. Learn More

Maryland Remote Setting Shellfish Aquaculture Loan Fund – Financing for commercial watermen who want to start or expand shellfish remote setting (nursery) operations. Learn More

Rural Business Energy Efficiency Improvement Loan Fund – Loans for energy efficiency projects undertaken by food and fiber producers and processors implementing the recommendations of a third-party energy auditor. Learn More

Southern Maryland Agricultural Revolving Loan Fund for Agriculture Funded by SMADC, subsidized loans for Southern Maryland applicants (only) of $10,000 - $20,000 to purchase livestock, plant small fruits and hops, or make upgrades for safe growing, harvesting, packing and holding of produce in line with Good Agricultural Practices (GAP). 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.

Upper Shore Regional Council Farm Incentive Fund – Designed to encourage farms and other businesses to expand or diversify their operations incentivize loan requests from farmers in the Upper Shore Region and help them meet certain down-payment (equity) requirement. Learn more.