Maryland Commercial Oyster Harvester Disaster Relief Loans

This zero-interest loan program is designed to provide disaster relief to eligible Maryland commercial oyster harvesters, covering personal and business expenses.

Late applications are considered until June 26, 2026.

Yes, current borrowers may apply, subject to the loan program guidelines and approval requirements.

Eligible applicants will receive a loan amount not to exceed $10,000.

The final loan amount for each borrower will be posted on MARBIDCO’s website on June 18. Applicants will be notified if their application is incomplete or ineligible. Otherwise, beginning July 1, 2026, early applicants will begin receiving their loan documents with instructions on how to proceed. It is anticipated that this process will take several days to a few weeks to complete, so please be patient. MARBIDCO is aiming to notify all eligible applicants by August 1, 2026, or shortly thereafter.

Please let our office know in writing, preferably via email, by June 23, 2026, that you would like to withdraw your application.

Repayment terms will be outlined in your loan agreement. Payments begin on February 1, 2027, followed by an additional nine quarterly payments, with the possibility of some loan forgiveness for good performance.

Yes, MARBIDCO will forgive a dollar amount equal to the final two quarterly loan payments, subject to good repayment performance. However, borrowers who are more than 90 days late on their regular quarterly payments will lose their eligibility for loan forgiveness and will owe the entire balance due, plus any accrued late fees and default interest.

Yes, early repayment is permitted. You can contact the MARBIDCO Office for the balance due on your loan

Please contact the MARBIDCO Office sooner rather than later if you are having trouble making your loan payment as scheduled. If a loan payment is more than 90 days late, a borrower will lose their eligibility for the loan forgiveness for good performance. In addition, MARBIDCO is required to notify DNR of this development. Once DNR is notified, DNR may not approve a transfer of the Tidal Fish License (TFL) or a related authorization until MARBIDCO notifies DNR that the borrower has become current on his or her loan payments.

Please contact the MARBIDCO Office directly for assistance with your application or any program-related questions by phone at 410-267-6807 or by email at oysterloans@marbidco.org.