CAMBRIDGE, MD -- March 21, 2006 – USDA Rural Development State Director, Marlene Elliott and Secretary of the Department of Business and Economic Development, Aris Melissaratos announced $600,000 in technical assistance grants to support the work of The Microenterprise Council of Maryland (MCM). The announcement was part of the Entrepreneurial Seminar at the Hyatt Regency Chesapeake Bay on March 21^st.

"This is about helping people realize their small business dreams," said Elliott. "Our mission at USDA Rural Development is to improve the quality of life and increase economic opportunity in Rural America. The Bush Administration is committed to an ownership society in America and owning a small business is the backbone of our rural economy. At USDA Rural Development we take pride in administering the people’s money, and often we cannot provide the financial support alone; we are in the partnership business, and it is our extreme pleasure to partner with the State of Maryland to foster the development of microbusinesses in rural parts of our State."

The USDA Rural Development technical assistance grant program, officially called the "Rural Community Development Initiative Grant Program", is a nationwide competitive program that was created by Congress in 2000 to assist in the development or expansion of nonprofit organizations or low-income rural communities to undertake projects in the areas of housing, community facilities, and community economic development in rural areas.

MCM was 1 of 31 nonprofit organizations across the United States that received a portion of $6.7 million in technical assistance grants. Their USDA grant totaled $300,000. A requirement of the program is that recipients obtain matching funds that will double the impact of the USDA dollars. The Department of Business and Economic Development stepped in to provide the matching $300,000.

"The Department, on behalf of the State, is pleased to work in conjunction with Rural Development to see this program succeed," said Secretary Melissaratos. "Together we are providing the tools needed to enrich the spirit of our rural entrepreneurs. We believe that if you are starting or improving a business, it should be an opportunity that is open to everyone."

The funding will help MCM provide technical assistance and financial resources to the Garrett County Community Action Committee located in Oakland and Maryland Capital Enterprises located in Salisbury. Ultimately it will enhance their regional services for the development of microbusinesses in Western Maryland and the Eastern Shore.

MCM defines a microenterprise as a business that employees five or fewer people, has inadequate capacity to access traditional business services and a capitalization need of $35,000 or less. Many microenterprises are sole proprietorships, creating employment for the owner and, often, family members. However, there are also microenterprises that grow into larger businesses that employ other community members. MCM can be contacted at their office in Baltimore at (410) 767-8859.

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