The Maryland Agricultural and Resource-Based Industry Development Corporation (MARBIDCO) has announced it is once again offering its popular Maryland Producer Cold Storage Grant Program to help farmers and watermen purchase necessary cold storage equipment for their operations.
MARBIDCO will match up to 50% of the cost of the project purchase, with a maximum grant award amount of $2,000. The minimum grant award is $500 (meaning, therefore, the minimum project or equipment purchase size is $1,000).
“Following last year’s success in helping agribusinesses and commercial seafood businesses with access to adequate cold storage, we are happy to offer this program again. Cold storage is frequently cited as a need, especially by smaller farm operations, so hopefully the availability of these grant funds will incentivize cold storage equipment purchases by food-producing enterprises,” said MARBIDCO Executive Director, Steve McHenry.
Eligible applicants include farmers and watermen with at least $1,000 in agricultural or seafood product sales in calendar years 2024 or 2025. The eligible applicants can include sole proprietorships, partnerships, cooperatives, and LLCs. Agricultural products include produce, livestock, shellfish, or horticultural products that are grown on the applicant’s farm. Seafood products include finfish and shellfish products that are harvested in Maryland.
The grant funds and matching funds must be used to purchase and install cold storage equipment. Eligible tangible equipment that may be purchased includes:
- Large coolers
- Ice machines
- On-boat or On-dock cold storage
- Reach-in refrigerator/freezer
- Walk-in refrigerator/freezer
- On-truck cold storage (does not include costs related to purchase a truck)
- Third-party costs related to the installation of a cold storage unit or the construction of a cold storage facility
Purchases made prior to June 16, 2025, are not eligible.
The application deadline is August 27, 2025. Applications will be processed as they are received while funds are available. All applicants should expect to purchase or order equipment by September 30, 2025. Funding is limited, and applications will be processed on a first-come, first-served basis. Funds will be disbursed as a reimbursement based on proof of payment or directly to vendors based on submitted invoices. Application forms are available on MARBIDCO’s website: www.marbidco.org.
For more information, please email Brittany Rawlings, brawlings@marbico.org, or call at 410.267.6807. Send application forms electronically to brawlings@marbico.org or mail to: MARBIDCO, Cold Storage Grant Program, c/o Brittany Rawlings, 1410 Forest Drive, Suite 21, Annapolis, MD 21403.
