SSBCI Information

Operating under the Maryland Department of Commerce, The Maryland Small Business Development Financing Authority known as MSBDFA provides affordable financing in the form of lines of credit, term loans, letters of credit, equity investments, surety bonding and loan guarantees to small businesses that are unable to obtain adequate business financing on reasonable terms throughout Maryland.

STATE SMALL BUSINESS CREDIT INITIATIVE (SSBCI)

SSBCI funding can be accessed by any qualifying business in Maryland. MSBDFA’s direct loan and equity investment component is known as the Equity Participation Investment Program (“EPIP”). EPIP has received an SSBCI funding commitment of $45 million over a 7-year period. MSBDFA’S EPIP assistance using SSBCI funding will provide loans ranging from $25,000 to $2,000,000 and equity investments from $25,000 to $1,000,000.

To determine if your business qualifies for SSBCI funding, you will need to submit an MSBDFA program application. It is strongly suggested that you review the MSBDFA Program Guidelines and the Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ) prior to beginning the application.

A major qualification to receive SSBCI funding is that SSBCI cannot exceed 50% of the total funding and the other 50% or more, must come from a private funding source. In other words, there must be at least $1 of private funding for every $1 of SSBCI funding. If you have not identified the private funding match, you can still apply. We will assist you to attempt to find a private source of funding. A private funding match is not required for MSBDFA’s non-SSBCI funding components.