Anne Arundel Economic Development Corporation, MARBIDCO Award More Than $50,500 to Farm-Based Businesses

January 21, 2025

Annapolis, MD. (January 21, 2025) – The Anne Arundel Economic Development Corporation (AAEDC) and the Maryland Agricultural and Resource-Based Industry Development Corporation (MARBIDCO) have awarded $50,508 in matching grants to eight farm-based businesses in Anne Arundel County through the Agricultural Business Improvement Grant (ABIG) program. This year’s total represents a significant $12,508 increase from 2024, and the program was expanded to include commercial watermen in 2025.

“We’re thrilled to announce the second round of recipients for our Agricultural Business Improvement Grant program and to be providing over $50,000 to support our agricultural community this year,” said AAEDC President and CEO Amy Gowan. “The quality and volume of applications were outstanding, and we’re excited to see how these projects help our farmers to grow their business. Thank you to our partners at MARBIDCO for contributing over $20,000 this year, helping us expand the program’s reach and impact.”

The grant recipients and funded projects in Anne Arundel County include:

• Zang’s Farm, Harwood – $1871 to expand caneberries and U-pick operation.
• Hollywood Farm, Annapolis – $10,000 to construct a pole barn for on-farm timber harvest woodworking equipment and hay storage.
• Rawlings Farm, Lothian – $5,000 to expand turkey production and processing (funded by AAEDC only).
• FAFO Farm, Davidsonville – $10,000 to construct greenhouses and conduct fencing repairs.
• The Hill, Lothian – $500 to upgrade fencing for livestock production (funded by AAEDC only).
• Maidstone Harvest, Annapolis – $8,637 to expand wildlife management fencing for production.
• Ryan Mould’s Fresh Crabs and Seafood, Shady Side – $7,500 for equipment related to Blue Catfish and Maryland Blue Crab Harvest.
• Mallard Creek Farm, Lothian – $7,000 for shelter and fencing upgrades for equine and livestock expansion.

Over $223,900 in project proposals were submitted for the ABIG program, with just over $111,900 in grant funding requested from AAEDC. Each application was evaluated and numerically scored based on its potential to boost revenue, create or retain jobs, expand operations, improve efficiency, increase the supply of locally grown food, or offer agricultural education opportunities.

“MARBIDCO is very pleased that its Local Government Ag/RBI Cost Share Grant Program can work in tandem with AAEDC’s Agricultural Business Improvement Grant Program to improve the operations of 4 to 6 local farm businesses positively,” said MARBIDCO Executive Director Steve McHenry. “By partnering in this three-way cost-sharing arrangement, these small agricultural enterprises will now be able to purchase some much-needed equipment to continue to grow their farm enterprises. We are delighted to work with AAEDC in this effort and thankful for its continuing support of our homegrown commercial food and fiber production industry.”

AAEDC allocated approximately $29,800 in program funds to the highest-ranked projects, with an additional $20,685 provided through the generous support of MARBIDCO, which cost-shared qualifying initiatives. Launched in December 2023, the ABIG program offers matching grants of up to $10,000 to help farm-based businesses in Anne Arundel County expand their operations and increase revenue. Grant recipients are required to contribute at least 50% of the project costs and must provide proof of project completion within one year of receiving the grant award.

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About the Anne Arundel Economic Development Corporation

Founded in 1993, the Anne Arundel Economic Development Corporation (AAEDC) is a 501(c)(3) organization based in Annapolis, Maryland. AAEDC’s mission is to serve as a catalyst for business growth in Anne Arundel County, thereby increasing job opportunities, expanding the tax base, and improving citizens’ quality of life. It supports the local business community through a host of services including financing, site selection assistance, permitting and zoning guidance, community revitalization, market research, and small business counseling and resources.

In addition, AAEDC plays a vital role in enhancing commercial districts, improving infrastructure, and helping to grow business sectors such as technology, agriculture, and maritime within the county. To learn more, visit www.aaedc.org.

 

About the Maryland Agricultural And Resource-Based Industry Development Corporation

MARBIDCO was established by the Maryland General Assembly more than 17 years ago to help enhance the sustainability and profitability of the State’s agricultural and resource-based industries in order to help bolster rural economies, support locally produced food and fiber products, and preserve working farm and forest land. MARBIDCO is a nimble, quasi-governmental financial intermediary organization that has a mission to serve exclusively the commercial farming, forestry, and seafood industries of Maryland. Young and beginning farmers are a special focus for MARBIDCO, as is farm operation diversification. In delivering its financing programs, MARBIDCO works cooperatively with commercial banks and farm credit associations, as well as a host of federal, State, regional, and local government agencies, and universities. Since 2007, MARBIDCO has approved some 1,400 financings totaling over $111 million for food and fiber business projects located in all of Maryland’s 24 counties – and in the process has leveraged more than $236 million in commercial lender financing. For more information about MARBIDCO’s programs, please visit: www.marbidco.org.

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