Community Business Compass (Maryland Department of Commerce)

Community Business Compass (Maryland Department of Commerce) is sponsored by Maryland Department of Commerce. This is a resource that lists various grants and loans for small businesses in Maryland. While not a single grant program, it is a portal to find relevant funding opportunities from different sources.

Governor Moore Announces $10 Million to Support Small Businesses and High-Need Communities Through Maryland Community Business Compass Initiative | The Office of Governor Wes Moore Governor Moore Announces $10 Million to Support Small Businesses and High-Need Communities Through Maryland Community Business Compass Initiative Wednesday, December 17, 2025 ANNAPOLIS, MD — Governor Wes Moore today announced the launch of the Maryland 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 million in small business investments for fresh food retailers and child care providers. “Small businesses are the lifeblood of our communities,” said Gov. Moore . “And if Maryland is going to grow, we have to uplift the aspirations of entrepreneurs from every zip code.

That’s why we’re 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."

The platform offers several features to serve entrepreneurs at every stage, including: “Locate the Opportunity”: Aspiring fresh food or child care entrepreneurs can use the platform’s 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. “Find Government Funding”: Existing 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. “Connect with Experts”: The 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—from business planning to permitting and licensing.

​ “We 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,” said Maryland Chief Innovation Officer Francesca Ioffreda.

“This platform doesn'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.

” The Moore-Miller Administration’s $10 million investment to support essential service entrepreneurs is anchored by $8 million for child care providers through the Child Care Capital Support Revolving Loan Fund , and $2 million in grant funding for fresh food retailers in the newly developed NourishMD Grant program .

The Child Care Capital Support Revolving Loan Fund provides 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. Child care providers can apply until January 30, 2026.

“Affordable, accessible child care isn't just good for families, it supports businesses and helps grow our economy,” said Maryland Department of Commerce Secretary Harry Coker, Jr. “When 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. ” The NourishMD Grant Program , 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—administered by the Maryland Department of Housing and Community Development—will 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’ 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.

Applications will open for the NourishMD Grant Program on January 20, 2026, and retailers can apply until February 20, 2026. “Every Maryland family deserves to walk into a neighborhood store and find fresh, healthy food,” said Maryland Department of Housing and Community Development Secretary Jake Day.

“NourishMD invests in the entrepreneurs who make that possible by creating jobs, strengthening local economies, and ensuring no community is left behind. ” In addition to encouraging economic development, the initiatives announced today mark a continuation of the Moore-Miller Administration’s work to fight childhood poverty.

In order to maximize resources to high-poverty communities historically lacking private and public investment, the Governor’s Office for Children will use the Maryland Community Business Compass to guide additional state and philanthropic investments to ENOUGH communities —communities with demonstrated high concentrated rates of poverty.

“We cannot begin to address challenges like food insecurity or child care deserts without understanding exactly where there are gaps,” said Governor’s Office for Children Special Secretary Carmel Martin. “The 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’s work to end child poverty. ” Maryland residents, businesses, and non-profit organizations are encouraged to learn more at compass. maryland.

gov . Training sessions will be available in early 2026 to help users navigate the platform. For more information, contact [email protected] .