§ 6–308.3
Statutes in effect as of October 1, 2026.
Md. Code Ann., Hous. & Cmty. Dev. § 6-308.3 (2026)
Title 6. Division of Neighborhood Revitalization
Subtitle 3. Neighborhood Business Development Program
§ 6–308.3LinkCopy Citation
(a)
If the Department determines that an entity is capable of administering a food desert project, the entity may originate and administer financial assistance to a food desert project in accordance with standards the Department adopts by regulation.
(b)
The Department may:
(1)
pay an approved entity a reasonable origination, application, and processing fee for each food desert project that is originated by the approved entity;
(2)
directly fund the financial assistance for a food desert project that is originated by an approved entity;
(3)
provide financial assistance to an approved entity for the purpose of the approved entity providing financial assistance for a food desert project in accordance with this subtitle; and
(4)
(i)
provide small loans in amounts that are not more than $100,000 per loan to an approved entity for assistance in providing or maintaining access to healthy food in urban or rural food deserts, including by providing loans for:
(1)
refrigerators, freezers, and other equipment; and
(2)
subject to subsection (c) of this section, operating costs incurred in providing access to healthy food in urban or rural food deserts; and
(ii)
work with intermediaries to administer the small loans authorized under item (i) of this paragraph.
(c)
The Department shall forgive a loan for operating costs made under subsection (b)(4)(i)2 of this section after 5 years, if the loan recipient maintains continuous operations at the same location during that time.