MSBDFA Provides Financing under U.S. Treasury’s State Small Business Credit Initiative (“SSBCI”)
The Maryland Department of Commerce, through MSBDFA, along with the Maryland Department of Housing and Community Development and TEDCO is providing SSBCI funding to support small businesses growth in the state of Maryland. These funds are issued as loans or equity investments only, SSBCI does not offer grants. Please read our short primer on MSBDFA SSBCI funding and learn about some of the businesses that have received SSBCI funding.
Governor Moore Announces $3 Million to Support Small and Minority-Owned Business Growth in Maryland
Governor Wes Moore has committed $3 million in financial assistance to support small and minority-owned business growth to help make Maryland more competitive. The funding will be provided through the Maryland Small Business Financing Authority (“MSBDFA”), a program within the Maryland Department of Commerce providing financing to small, minority-owned and women-owned businesses in Maryland. The MSBDFA program is managed by MMG Capital Group.
MMG Capital Group hosted its 2nd Annual Small Business Growth & Impact Legislative Reception at Acqua al 2 – Annapolis, Maryland. The event welcomed special guests, the Legislative Black Caucus of Maryland and the Maryland Department of Commerce.
Please enjoy this month’s edition of our Quarterly Newsletter.
MSBDFA Provides Financing to Woman/Veteran-owned Chocolatier, Bon AppeSweet
Bon AppeSweet, Inc. is located in Leonardtown, Maryland and was started in 2019 by its CEO, Thereasa Black, an African American woman and veteran. The company’s products are the answer for every chocolate lover who is looking for a healthier treat. Bon AppeSweet has produced a unique brand of chocolate. Its chocolate is sweetened using only dates with zero added sugar, zero sugar alcohols, and zero Stevia. It contains 4 organic, dairy-free, vegan, plant-based ingredients. The products are currently in Walmart, Whole Foods, Mom’s Organic, Foxtrot, Kroeger, Fairway, and Amazon.
MSBDFA provided Aidar Health financing in the form of a simple agreement for future equity (“SAFE”) investment. Aidar Health is a Coumbia, MD based digital health and medical device company known for Mouthlab, a handheld rapid-assessment device that captures 10+ vital parameters in 30 seconds and transmits data to a HIPPA-compliant cloud for AI driven analysis. Minority Business Advocacy & Development 2025 Baltimore City Small Business Advancement Conference.
We are “impact investors.” By supporting small businesses and diverse entrepreneurs, we contribute to the strength and vitality of the economy and our communities while generating positive financial returns. Below are some of our highlights.
The MSBDFA SSBCI funds are being used to expand access to capital for small businesses and Socially and Economically Disadvantaged Individual (SEDI)–owned enterprises.
How MSBDFA Uses SSBCI Funds
Support is available for businesses that may not meet traditional credit or investor criteria. Assistance may take the form of:
• Subordinated term loans
• Demand loans
• Equity investments
Eligible Uses of Funds
SSBCI funds can support a wide range of business needs, including:
Working capital
Equipment and supplies
Owner‑occupied real estate
Business acquisitions
Leasehold improvements
Professional/technical assistance
Refinancing existing debt (with qualifying conditions)
Interest rates can be as low as 3%, making this an attractive option for growth‑minded small businesses.
Private Capital Match Requirement
To qualify, companies must bring private funding—such as bank financing, insurer capital, investor contributions, or owner equity—equal to or greater than the SSBCI amount requested.
MSBDFA Deployment of SSBCI Funds
The following companies represent the successful deployment of SSBCI funds during the first tranche:
Hungry Harvest, LLC (Landover): Rescues farm-fresh produce to provide affordable delivery to 9,000 customers while closing food access gaps.
Señors Market, LLC (Annapolis): Opening a 7,018 square foot supermarket and Mexican restaurant, supported by a $5 million financing package.
Bon AppeSweet, Inc. (Leonardtown): A veteran and African American woman-owned business scaling date-sweetened chocolate to 348 Walmart locations.
Aidar Health, Inc. (Baltimore): A Johns Hopkins University spin-off enhancing chronic disease management through digital medicine.
Stacato, LLC (Rockville): Developing advanced communications equipment for the U.S. military to enable “hyper-enabled warfighters.”
Keep Company, LLC (Bethesda): Provides online group coaching for employees who are parents and caregivers to improve workplace retention.
Fearless DSI, LLC (Baltimore): An 8a certified company providing IT services to the U.S. government with 240 employees.
Compost Crew, LLC (Rockville): The leading food scrap collector in the DMV region, focusing on decentralized composting.
Taber J. Small is a Vice President and Loan Officer for MMG Capital Group. Prior to joining MMG, Mr. Small was an experienced commercial lender with previous employment at Bank of America, Wells Fargo, PNC, JP Morgan Chase and recently WesBanco Bank as a Senior Vice President Commercial Banker in middle market banking. During his tenure as a banker, he received numerous star banker awards and received the Omega Commercial Lending Advanced Credit Training Certificate of Achievement. He is a graduate of the University of Connecticut with a B.A. in Economics.
Mr. Taber is also very involved in the community and serves on numerous boards of organizations such as Associated Black Charities, Baltimore City Chamber of Commerce, 29th Street Community Center and NPOWER. He also serves on the development committee of the Reginald F. Lewis Museum and is a member of the Platinum Center Club based in Baltimore.
Contract Financing Program (CFP) provides financial assistance to eligible businesses in the form of direct loans. The funds may be used for working capital and the acquisition of equipment needed to begin, continue, or complete work on contracts where a majority of funds are provided by a federal, state or local government agency or utilities regulated by the Public Service Commission. Financing is limited to $2,000,000 and must be repaid during the term of the contract(s). Applicants may qualify for financing prior to contract award. Financings in the form of revolving lines of credit are renewable on an annual basis.
General Eligibility:
Maximum Policy Limits: Loans Provided Directly by MSBDFA $2,000,000
Interest Rates: Generally Prime Rate + 2% Payments: Principal and interest are payable as contract proceeds are received, in amounts satisfactory to MMG and the Authority. All Payments must be assigned to MSBDFA
Term: Duration of the Contract(s)
Use of Proceeds: Working Capital, Purchase of Machinery and Equipment, Supplies and Materials (Required to perform the contracts)