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2w ago

Maryland Launches Community Business Compass, Adds $10 Million for Child Care and Fresh Food

State officials say the data-driven tool will streamline access to capital, guiding investments to high-need communities.

Maryland Governor Wes Moore talks about the need for multilevel support for small businesses, especially in terms of addressing basic needs like access to child care and healthy food. He stated that by ensuring that no child is left behind, and that adults have a support infrastructure to pursue entrepreneurship, small businesses can blossom in the communities that need them the most. (Surya Vaidy/Staff)
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Overview

  • The interactive platform maps unmet demand for child care and fresh food, lets users search funding, and connects entrepreneurs with local advisors.
  • The package includes $8 million in zero-interest loans through the Child Care Capital Support Revolving Loan Fund and $2 million in NourishMD grants.
  • Child care loans target facility acquisition, expansion, or improvements in underserved or rural areas, with priority for providers serving low-income families and infants or toddlers.
  • NourishMD grants open in January 2026 with awards from $25,000 to $150,000 for eligible retailers such as grocery and corner stores, co-ops, farm stands, and markets that sell fresh foods and accept or plan to accept SNAP.
  • The Compass aggregates information from more than 70 webpages into a searchable database of nearly 250 incentives, and will inform future public and philanthropic investments.