Small poultry growers and other small businesses in the poultry industry may qualify for loans and business assistance from Maryland Capital Enterprises, Inc. MCE is a private, non-profit micro-enterprise development organization that has been serving the Maryland Eastern Shore since 1998. It provides business assistance, training, and loans up to $50,000 for start-up or expansion of small businesses on The Shore that are not able to secure bank financing. Money can be used to secure business equipment, vehicles and working capital. Since January 2001, MCE has provided assistance to over 800 entrepreneurs, made 54 loans to businesses that have not been bankable, and loaning out over $800,000.

Micro-enterprises are small businesses with five or fewer employees or whose financing need is less than $50,000. MCE works with area banks, the area’s Chambers of Commerce, federal and State government, and the SU Small Business Development Center to help our smallest businesses grow and succeed. Part of its funding is from the US Department of Agriculture (USDA).

For further information or to obtain an application, please call 410-546-1900. (March 2008)