Anne Arundel Economic Development Corporation, MARBIDCO Award More than $53,500 to Farm-Based Businesses & Commercial Watermen

February 17, 2026

Annapolis, MD. (February 17, 2026) – The Anne Arundel Economic Development Corporation (AAEDC), in partnership with the Maryland Agricultural and Resource-Based Industry Development Corporation (MARBIDCO), has awarded $53,861 in matching grants to nine farm-based businesses and commercial watermen in Anne Arundel County through the Agricultural Business Improvement Grant (ABIG) program (with MARBIDCO participating in seven of the nine grants). This year’s total is the highest awarded to date and represents a $3,000+ increase from 2025, when the program was expanded to include commercial watermen.

“We’re thrilled to announce the third round of recipients for our Agricultural Business Improvement Grant program and be able to provide nearly $54,000 to support our agricultural and watermen communities this year,” said AAEDC President and CEO Amy Gowan. “The quality and creativity of the applications this year were outstanding, and we’re excited to see how all these impactful projects help our farmers and watermen grow their businesses. Thank you to our partners at MARBIDCO for contributing over $24,000 this year, helping us expand the program’s reach and impact.”

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

• Copeland Farmery – $10,000 for a new barn for product storage and processing
• Drakes Only – $5,000 for crab pots
• Fishmas Charters – $5,000 for crab pots
• Honey’s Harvest Farm – $1,200 for cold storage (AAEDC funds only)
• Knightongale Farm – $10,000 for a new storage barn for products
• New Roots Farm – $7,000 for a new cattle handling area and chute
• Schmidt Family Farm – $1,650 for deer fencing for produce production (AAEDC funds only)
• SoCo Seafood – $3,961 for equipment for a shucking station and oyster larvae
• Superczynski Farm – $10,000 for barn repairs

Over $309,523 in project proposals were submitted for the ABIG program, with just over $142,991 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 pleased to once again partner with AAEDC to support local farm businesses through this coordinated cost-share effort,” said MARBIDCO Executive Director Steve McHenry. “This collaboration will help agricultural enterprises acquire essential equipment, strengthen their operations, and continue growing our region’s food and fiber industry.”

AAEDC allocated approximately $28,054 in program funds to the highest-ranked projects, with an additional $24,975 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 foster diverse economic growth by empowering businesses, expanding job opportunities, and revitalizing communities in Anne Arundel County. As the go-to partner for local businesses, AAEDC supports the Anne Arundel County business community with key resources and services including financing, site selection, permitting and zoning guidance, market research, community revitalization, and small business counseling. Guided by its core values of connectivity, responsiveness, creativity, and excellence, AAEDC builds strategic partnerships and delivers innovative solutions to meet the evolving needs of the business community. Learn more at www.aaedc.org.

 

About the Maryland Agricultural And Resource-Based Industry Development Corporation

MARBIDCO was established by the Maryland General Assembly more than 18 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 1,500 financings totaling over $122.5 million for food and fiber business projects located in all of Maryland’s 24 counties – and in the process has leveraged more than $248 million in commercial lender financing. For more information about MARBIDCO’s programs, please visit: www.marbidco.org.

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