The Washington County Department of Business and Economic Development announces the launch of the Washington County Agricultural Innovation and Equipment Grant. This grant program, exclusively designed for agricultural businesses, farms and farm owners in Washington County, aims to support their growth and development.
The Washington County, Maryland Agricultural Innovation and Equipment Grant was approved and funded in the amount of $300,000 to be awarded over a three-year period. Applicants can apply to receive the grant in amounts of $1,000 to $25,000.
Grant request examples include expanding marketing efforts, business development and outreach, expanding or adding value-added endeavors, increasing farm viability, enhancing demonstration, conservation and research, upgrading production buildings for structures used exclusively for animal agricultural purposes, acquiring business supplies, making construction improvements to assist with consumer/customer outreach, expanding advertising, offering new promotions and supporting agricultural expansion.
Applications will be available starting July 31 at 8 a.m. on the Washington County Department of Business and Economic Development’s website at wcmd.info/ag-in novation-grant. The grant period opens July 31 at 8 a.m., and will remain open until August 21 at 4 p.m.
The applications will be processed and evaluated based on their total score. In the event of a tie, applications will be prioritized on a first-come, first-served basis. Eligibility requirements, grant performance criteria and fund usage limitations apply. The grant recipients will be announced and awarded in September.
To submit the completed application, applicants can either email it along with the required attachments to [email protected] or mail it directly to: Washington County Department of Business and Economic Development; Attn: Agricultural Innovation and Equipment Grant; 100 W . Washington Street, Suite 1401; Hagerstown, MD 21740.
“It is more important now than ever to ensure the success, viability, and sustainability of our local farms. Keeping farms healthy and growing in our county represents the backbone of our community and our largest economic driver”, said Leslie Hart, Business Development Specialist, and creator of the Agricultural Innovation and Equipment Grant program.
For questions regarding the Washington County Agricultural Innovation and Equipment Grant program or eligibility, email lhart@ wash co-md.net.
