{"id":13272,"date":"2025-12-17T15:23:08","date_gmt":"2025-12-17T20:23:08","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/news.maryland.gov\/dhcd\/?p=13272"},"modified":"2025-12-17T15:23:09","modified_gmt":"2025-12-17T20:23:09","slug":"governor-moore-announces-10-million-to-support-small-businesses-and-high-need-communities-through-maryland-community-business-compass-initiative","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/news.maryland.gov\/dhcd\/2025\/12\/17\/governor-moore-announces-10-million-to-support-small-businesses-and-high-need-communities-through-maryland-community-business-compass-initiative\/","title":{"rendered":"Governor Moore Announces $10 Million to Support Small Businesses and High-Need Communities Through Maryland Community Business Compass Initiative"},"content":{"rendered":"\n<p><strong>ANNAPOLIS, MD \u2014<\/strong>\u00a0Governor Wes Moore today announced the launch of the\u00a0<a href=\"https:\/\/links-1.govdelivery.com\/CL0\/https:%2F%2Fcompass.maryland.gov%2F\/1\/0100019b2dcc2573-986c68c5-aa05-411b-baee-1b035e9fabde-000000\/6foLIol88iCu-LurniNo-ykuGwh-2GbNu2WAzbSjXe0=436\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\" data-saferedirecturl=\"https:\/\/www.google.com\/url?q=https:\/\/links-1.govdelivery.com\/CL0\/https:%252F%252Fcompass.maryland.gov%252F\/1\/0100019b2dcc2573-986c68c5-aa05-411b-baee-1b035e9fabde-000000\/6foLIol88iCu-LurniNo-ykuGwh-2GbNu2WAzbSjXe0%3D436&amp;source=gmail&amp;ust=1766089258046000&amp;usg=AOvVaw1_dSuApslaTK1oD8prHDS_\">Maryland Community Business Compass<\/a>, a first-of-its-kind data platform that will provide local entrepreneurs with a faster path to information, capital, and support to start and scale businesses that provide essential goods and services in high-need communities. To advance the initiative, the governor also announced $10 million in small business investments for fresh food retailers and child care providers.<\/p>\n<p>\u201cSmall businesses are the lifeblood of our communities,\u201d\u00a0<strong>said Gov. Moore.<\/strong>\u00a0\u201cAnd if Maryland is going to grow, we have to uplift the aspirations of entrepreneurs from every zip code. That\u2019s why we\u2019re putting more powerful tools and resources into the hands of entrepreneurs and small business owners, building more pathways to work, wages, and wealth for themselves and their communities.\u201d<\/p>\n<p>The\u00a0<a href=\"https:\/\/links-1.govdelivery.com\/CL0\/https:%2F%2Fcompass.maryland.gov%2F\/2\/0100019b2dcc2573-986c68c5-aa05-411b-baee-1b035e9fabde-000000\/VkC7E-0V2ZkSijuTEGI2_HlOkeWedwQpe2n3iWRvuE0=436\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\" data-saferedirecturl=\"https:\/\/www.google.com\/url?q=https:\/\/links-1.govdelivery.com\/CL0\/https:%252F%252Fcompass.maryland.gov%252F\/2\/0100019b2dcc2573-986c68c5-aa05-411b-baee-1b035e9fabde-000000\/VkC7E-0V2ZkSijuTEGI2_HlOkeWedwQpe2n3iWRvuE0%3D436&amp;source=gmail&amp;ust=1766089258046000&amp;usg=AOvVaw1Bnz-Kbjw19NrOZ8XYVL-L\">Maryland Community Business Compass<\/a>\u2014developed by the\u00a0<a href=\"https:\/\/links-1.govdelivery.com\/CL0\/https:%2F%2Finnovation.maryland.gov%2FPages%2Fdefault.aspx\/1\/0100019b2dcc2573-986c68c5-aa05-411b-baee-1b035e9fabde-000000\/6DcZLVlK53XDGw9ppm3_VsfxrIotbIL2Z_rYdnx8aQU=436\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\" data-saferedirecturl=\"https:\/\/www.google.com\/url?q=https:\/\/links-1.govdelivery.com\/CL0\/https:%252F%252Finnovation.maryland.gov%252FPages%252Fdefault.aspx\/1\/0100019b2dcc2573-986c68c5-aa05-411b-baee-1b035e9fabde-000000\/6DcZLVlK53XDGw9ppm3_VsfxrIotbIL2Z_rYdnx8aQU%3D436&amp;source=gmail&amp;ust=1766089258046000&amp;usg=AOvVaw2I5W9G6rw9QBfEfWnYjSJQ\">Maryland State Innovation Team<\/a>\u2014will transform how small business owners access critical information by combining market demand data with a centralized database of government funding opportunities and business support resources. The platform equips entrepreneurs and small businesses\u2014who typically lack access to data that may be more readily available to large companies\u2014with tools to reach communities with the most need, representing a new and innovative approach to economic development.<\/p>\n<p>The platform offers several features to serve entrepreneurs at every stage, including:<\/p>\n<ul>\n<li><strong>\u201cLocate the Opportunity\u201d:<\/strong>\u00a0Aspiring fresh food or child care entrepreneurs can use the platform\u2019s interactive data map to understand where there are unmet needs and market opportunities in communities across the state. The feature provides critical information, such as existing provider locations, local economic indicators, and community needs sourced from local neighborhood plans.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<ul>\n<li><strong>\u201cFind Government Funding\u201d:<\/strong>\u00a0Existing business owners can identify government incentives and programs they may be eligible for, while viewing them in one centralized location. The feature pulls from more than 70 distinct webpages to create a searchable database of nearly 250 incentives.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<ul>\n<li><strong>\u201cConnect with Experts\u201d:<\/strong>\u00a0The platform will include a searchable repository of business support resources, including local economic development organizations and small business development centers. The resource will serve entrepreneurs seeking hands-on support, helping them connect with guidance across the full lifecycle of business development\u2014from business planning to permitting and licensing.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p>\u201cWe listened to parents and business owners across Maryland, and they told us what they need: better child care, access to fresh food, and the information to make informed business decisions,\u201d<strong>\u00a0said Maryland Chief Innovation Officer Francesca Ioffreda.<\/strong>\u00a0\u201cThis platform doesn&#8217;t just provide data, it removes barriers and creates pathways for entrepreneurs to build thriving child care and fresh food businesses in the communities that need them most.\u201d<\/p>\n<p>The Moore-Miller Administration\u2019s $10 million investment to support essential service entrepreneurs is anchored by $8 million for child care providers through the\u00a0<a href=\"https:\/\/links-1.govdelivery.com\/CL0\/https:%2F%2Fcommerce.maryland.gov%2Ffund%2Fchild-care-capital-support-revolving-loan-fund\/1\/0100019b2dcc2573-986c68c5-aa05-411b-baee-1b035e9fabde-000000\/Dt8DLnwxTjTm2KGY1DJr2GGZZa_hmC84LJEgyyQj9UY=436\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\" data-saferedirecturl=\"https:\/\/www.google.com\/url?q=https:\/\/links-1.govdelivery.com\/CL0\/https:%252F%252Fcommerce.maryland.gov%252Ffund%252Fchild-care-capital-support-revolving-loan-fund\/1\/0100019b2dcc2573-986c68c5-aa05-411b-baee-1b035e9fabde-000000\/Dt8DLnwxTjTm2KGY1DJr2GGZZa_hmC84LJEgyyQj9UY%3D436&amp;source=gmail&amp;ust=1766089258046000&amp;usg=AOvVaw1NKQFrj20fYmolI10CYa8K\">Child Care Capital Support Revolving Loan Fund<\/a>, and $2 million in grant funding for fresh food retailers in the newly developed\u00a0<a href=\"https:\/\/links-1.govdelivery.com\/CL0\/https:%2F%2Fdhcd.maryland.gov%2FBusiness%2FPages%2FNourishMD-Grant-Program.aspx\/1\/0100019b2dcc2573-986c68c5-aa05-411b-baee-1b035e9fabde-000000\/PLrqKxzE5I9O1ePNs9s15sBMV6QFXs7v1e4eu0xb5aA=436\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\" data-saferedirecturl=\"https:\/\/www.google.com\/url?q=https:\/\/links-1.govdelivery.com\/CL0\/https:%252F%252Fdhcd.maryland.gov%252FBusiness%252FPages%252FNourishMD-Grant-Program.aspx\/1\/0100019b2dcc2573-986c68c5-aa05-411b-baee-1b035e9fabde-000000\/PLrqKxzE5I9O1ePNs9s15sBMV6QFXs7v1e4eu0xb5aA%3D436&amp;source=gmail&amp;ust=1766089258046000&amp;usg=AOvVaw1fpKdbn938mjF3yIPXcVZF\">NourishMD Grant program<\/a>.<\/p>\n<p>The\u00a0<a href=\"https:\/\/links-1.govdelivery.com\/CL0\/https:%2F%2Fcommerce.maryland.gov%2Ffund%2Fchild-care-capital-support-revolving-loan-fund\/2\/0100019b2dcc2573-986c68c5-aa05-411b-baee-1b035e9fabde-000000\/-nOs3pXpg-gDmHhe2sNw38yG6saITR-HwnZW9Vez_6k=436\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\" data-saferedirecturl=\"https:\/\/www.google.com\/url?q=https:\/\/links-1.govdelivery.com\/CL0\/https:%252F%252Fcommerce.maryland.gov%252Ffund%252Fchild-care-capital-support-revolving-loan-fund\/2\/0100019b2dcc2573-986c68c5-aa05-411b-baee-1b035e9fabde-000000\/-nOs3pXpg-gDmHhe2sNw38yG6saITR-HwnZW9Vez_6k%3D436&amp;source=gmail&amp;ust=1766089258046000&amp;usg=AOvVaw2YNQEeaeE0mK8XzsgPKJkQ\">Child Care Capital Support Revolving Loan Fund<\/a>\u00a0provides zero-interest loans to child care providers for facility acquisitions, improvements, expansions, and new constructions. Through the program, the Moore-Miller Administration has awarded loans to 143 child care facilities, spanning 20 jurisdictions throughout the state. The program prioritizes eligible child care providers that are located in underserved communities or rural communities; serve primarily low-income populations in areas of high poverty; and serve children aged two and younger in addition to children with special needs.<\/p>\n<p>Child care providers can\u00a0<a href=\"https:\/\/links-1.govdelivery.com\/CL0\/https:%2F%2Fdevbiz.commerce.maryland.gov%2Fchildcarehome\/1\/0100019b2dcc2573-986c68c5-aa05-411b-baee-1b035e9fabde-000000\/nkbpaXPH65SS4j4A8uej4kYQxsVb-O-pqcS_lZ3wMsw=436\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\" data-saferedirecturl=\"https:\/\/www.google.com\/url?q=https:\/\/links-1.govdelivery.com\/CL0\/https:%252F%252Fdevbiz.commerce.maryland.gov%252Fchildcarehome\/1\/0100019b2dcc2573-986c68c5-aa05-411b-baee-1b035e9fabde-000000\/nkbpaXPH65SS4j4A8uej4kYQxsVb-O-pqcS_lZ3wMsw%3D436&amp;source=gmail&amp;ust=1766089258046000&amp;usg=AOvVaw3Xk6cvL8ApkxQNiRF_1FoX\">apply<\/a>\u00a0until\u00a0January 30, 2026.<\/p>\n<p>\u201cAffordable, accessible child care isn&#8217;t just good for families, it supports businesses and helps grow our economy,\u201d\u00a0<strong>said Maryland Department of Commerce Secretary Harry Coker, Jr.<\/strong>\u00a0\u201cWhen parents have reliable child care, they have the freedom and flexibility to explore new career opportunities and build better futures. This brings more talent into the workforce, which encourages businesses to choose Maryland. This investment recognizes that supporting child care providers supports our entire economy.\u201d<\/p>\n<p>The\u00a0<a href=\"https:\/\/links-1.govdelivery.com\/CL0\/https:%2F%2Fdhcd.maryland.gov%2FBusiness%2FPages%2FNourishMD-Grant-Program.aspx\/2\/0100019b2dcc2573-986c68c5-aa05-411b-baee-1b035e9fabde-000000\/gSpUs2IlxLXA3lxEnS-kTAduCkEuhLaGQFgpa9-emaY=436\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\" data-saferedirecturl=\"https:\/\/www.google.com\/url?q=https:\/\/links-1.govdelivery.com\/CL0\/https:%252F%252Fdhcd.maryland.gov%252FBusiness%252FPages%252FNourishMD-Grant-Program.aspx\/2\/0100019b2dcc2573-986c68c5-aa05-411b-baee-1b035e9fabde-000000\/gSpUs2IlxLXA3lxEnS-kTAduCkEuhLaGQFgpa9-emaY%3D436&amp;source=gmail&amp;ust=1766089258046000&amp;usg=AOvVaw0TMLiNbwnSslqdfhlC2n96\">NourishMD Grant Program<\/a>, which was announced today alongside the Maryland Community business compass, addresses the persistent issue of fresh food access in communities across the state. The grants\u2014administered by the Maryland Department of Housing and Community Development\u2014will support eligible fresh food retailers with critical capital needs for stabilization or expansion in areas where residents have limited or no access to nutritious food options. Eligible businesses include grocery or corner stores, farm stands, co-ops, farmers\u2019 markets and certain delivery retailers in areas with high rates of food insecurity combined with a lack of physical access to fresh food retailers. Businesses can receive up to $150,000 to open, stabilize, or expand outlets in areas lacking access to nutritious options.<\/p>\n<p>Applications will open for the NourishMD Grant Program on January 20, 2026, and retailers can apply until February 20, 2026.<\/p>\n<p>\u201cEvery Maryland family deserves to walk into a neighborhood store and find fresh, healthy food,\u201d\u00a0<strong>said Maryland Department of Housing and Community Development Secretary Jake Day.<\/strong>\u00a0\u201cNourishMD invests in the entrepreneurs who make that possible by creating jobs, strengthening local economies, and ensuring no community is left behind.\u201d<\/p>\n<p>In addition to encouraging economic development, the initiatives announced today mark a continuation of the Moore-Miller Administration\u2019s work to fight childhood poverty. In order to maximize resources to high-poverty communities historically lacking private and public investment, the Governor\u2019s Office for Children will use the Maryland Community Business Compass to guide additional state and philanthropic investments to\u00a0<a href=\"https:\/\/links-1.govdelivery.com\/CL0\/https:%2F%2Fgoc.maryland.gov%2FPages%2Fenough-initiative.aspx\/1\/0100019b2dcc2573-986c68c5-aa05-411b-baee-1b035e9fabde-000000\/vfqQSeRkFEQIncY5pF4bdkrzhSvhlf5RPkRLCPDIaWs=436\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\" data-saferedirecturl=\"https:\/\/www.google.com\/url?q=https:\/\/links-1.govdelivery.com\/CL0\/https:%252F%252Fgoc.maryland.gov%252FPages%252Fenough-initiative.aspx\/1\/0100019b2dcc2573-986c68c5-aa05-411b-baee-1b035e9fabde-000000\/vfqQSeRkFEQIncY5pF4bdkrzhSvhlf5RPkRLCPDIaWs%3D436&amp;source=gmail&amp;ust=1766089258046000&amp;usg=AOvVaw3qI7EDC1uhramhbfl8Z2GF\">ENOUGH communities<\/a>\u2014communities with demonstrated high concentrated rates of poverty.<\/p>\n<p>\u201cWe cannot begin to address challenges like food insecurity or child care deserts without understanding exactly where there are gaps,\u201d\u00a0<strong>said Governor\u2019s Office for Children Special Secretary Carmel Martin.\u00a0<\/strong>\u201cThe Maryland Community Business Compass will serve as a powerful resource to guide public and private investments exactly where they are most needed. By providing opportunities to communities who have historically been left behind, including ENOUGH communities, this tool supports the administration\u2019s work to end child poverty.\u201d\u00a0<\/p>\n<p>Maryland residents, businesses, and non-profit organizations are encouraged to learn more at\u00a0<a href=\"https:\/\/links-1.govdelivery.com\/CL0\/https:%2F%2Fcompass.maryland.gov%2F\/3\/0100019b2dcc2573-986c68c5-aa05-411b-baee-1b035e9fabde-000000\/A8fQV5MSi3-j2seA0E0GqhlqjP9MI5gVVunrVJk_Tk4=436\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\" data-saferedirecturl=\"https:\/\/www.google.com\/url?q=https:\/\/links-1.govdelivery.com\/CL0\/https:%252F%252Fcompass.maryland.gov%252F\/3\/0100019b2dcc2573-986c68c5-aa05-411b-baee-1b035e9fabde-000000\/A8fQV5MSi3-j2seA0E0GqhlqjP9MI5gVVunrVJk_Tk4%3D436&amp;source=gmail&amp;ust=1766089258046000&amp;usg=AOvVaw3KwXD3zl_nvRmqwOIaiipd\">compass.maryland.gov<\/a>.\u00a0<\/p>\n<p><strong>Training sessions will be available in early 2026 to help users navigate the platform. For more information, contact\u00a0<a href=\"mailto:compass@maryland.gov\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">compass@maryland.gov<\/a>.<\/strong><\/p>\n<p>###<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>ANNAPOLIS, MD \u2014\u00a0Governor Wes Moore today announced the launch of the\u00a0Maryland Community Business Compass, a first-of-its-kind data platform that will provide local entrepreneurs with a faster path to information, capital, and support to start and scale businesses that provide essential goods and services in high-need communities. To advance the initiative, the governor also announced $10<a href=\"https:\/\/news.maryland.gov\/dhcd\/2025\/12\/17\/governor-moore-announces-10-million-to-support-small-businesses-and-high-need-communities-through-maryland-community-business-compass-initiative\/\">&nbsp;&nbsp;Read the Rest&#8230;<\/a><\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":242,"featured_media":13273,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_acf_changed":false,"_monsterinsights_skip_tracking":false,"footnotes":""},"categories":[280,25,33],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-13272","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-governor-moore","category-neighborhood-businessworks","category-press-releases"],"acf":[],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/news.maryland.gov\/dhcd\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/13272","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/news.maryland.gov\/dhcd\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/news.maryland.gov\/dhcd\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/news.maryland.gov\/dhcd\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/242"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/news.maryland.gov\/dhcd\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=13272"}],"version-history":[{"count":1,"href":"https:\/\/news.maryland.gov\/dhcd\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/13272\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":13274,"href":"https:\/\/news.maryland.gov\/dhcd\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/13272\/revisions\/13274"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/news.maryland.gov\/dhcd\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/13273"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/news.maryland.gov\/dhcd\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=13272"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/news.maryland.gov\/dhcd\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=13272"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/news.maryland.gov\/dhcd\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=13272"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}