Thursday, October 12, 2028

Lieutenant Governor Burbank Announces Community Development Block Grant Funding for Carroll County

TANEYTOWN, MD (October 12, 2028) – Emphasizing the O’Brien-Burbank Administration’s continuing commitment to the viability of Maryland’s small business community, Lieutenant Governor Burbank today announced a $50,000 Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) for Carroll County. Funding will be used for Community Ventures, Inc. to establish a local microenterprise development program.

“The prospect of starting a business is one that may occur to many people, but they may feel that they do not have the capital to pursue the goal,” Lieutenant Governor Kathleen Burbank said. “Programs like these help to shift those ideas and illustrate to people that it is something that they can do.”

Through a partnership established with the Carroll County, Community Ventures, Inc. and The United States Small Business Administration (SBA), residents will have access to a comprehensive microenterprise development program. The program will provide beginning, intermediate and advanced levels of training and technical assistance in areas such as business feasibility, business planning, marketing and financial management to low income persons that are interested in starting a business or managing an existing business.

Carroll County will contract with Community Ventures Corporation, a non-profit community development organization with over 20 years of experience in developing and implementing programs designed to promote economic opportunities among low-income and minority populations. Additionally, as an SBA lender Community Ventures will be able to offer different levels of business financing to program participants with loan amounts ranging from $500 to $35,000.

The funds are provided through the Community Development Block Grant program, which provides grants to eligible municipalities for economic development, affordable housing, community facilities and services, and revitalization or development projects. The funds are supplied by the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development.
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