“Despite limited resources this year, the Rural Maryland Council remains committed to investing in  projects that strengthen our rural communities. We are inspired by the dedication of so many  organizations working to improve the quality of life across rural Maryland, and we are proud to  support their important efforts” -Susan O’Neill, Board Chair 

The Rural Maryland Prosperity Investment Fund (RMPIF) supports the operating activities of the Rural  Maryland Council, including the administration of the Maryland Agricultural Education and Rural  Development Assistance Fund (MAERDAF) and funding for the State’s five rural Regional Councils. The  RMPIF grant program is designed to make strategic investments in key economic and community  development initiatives while fostering regional and intergovernmental collaboration. 

The MAERDAF grant program provides capacity-building support to rural-serving nonprofit organizations  and community colleges. These grants strengthen efforts that advance statewide and regional planning,  economic and community development, youth engagement and leadership development, energy, and  agricultural and forestry education. 

The Rural Maryland Council was allocated $6,000,000 in the Fiscal Year 2026 state budget. However, this  represents a $3 million reduction to their competitive grant programs. As a result, grant decisions were  particularly challenging this year due to the limited available funding and the highly competitive pool of  applicants. 

Fiscal Year 2026 Grant Awards 

Total Requested	170 Applications	$14,147,476
Total Awarded	62	$5,468,485

 

Regional Councils: 5 Grants = $1,925,000 

Per Statute, one-third of the RMPIF fund is distributed to the State’s five rural regional planning and  development councils: 

Awardee	Total Award
Mid-Shore Regional Council	$385,000
Tri-County Council for the Lower Eastern Shore	$385,000
Tri-County Council for Southern Maryland	$385,000
Tri-County Council for Western Maryland	$385,000
Upper Shore Regional Council	$385,000

“A Collective Voice for Rural Maryland  

Regional Council activities funded through RMPIF, include:  • Equity lending 

• Transportation software and systems 
• Regional agricultural development and  

education 

• Economic and small business  development activities 
• Summer Career Enrichment • Rural economic research 
  

Rural Maryland Prosperity Investment Fund: 33 Grants = $2,873,359 The RMPIF grant program has three focus areas- Entrepreneurship, Infrastructure, and Rural Health. RMPIF  Entrepreneurship includes Workforce Development, Cooperative Development and Agricultural Development.  In FY2025, this program received 78 applications totaling $9,248,088 in requests. Of these requests, 33 grants  totaling $2,873,359 were awarded. 

RMPIF Entrepreneurship (includes Workforce Development, Cooperative  Development, and Agricultural Development): 10 Grants = $1,160,076  

Awardee	Total Award
Affiliated Sante Group	$94,500
Asian American Center of Frederick	$103,500
County Commissioners of Caroline County	$250,000
Evergreen Heritage Center Foundation	$68,800
Fort Ritchie Community Center, Inc.	$34,549
Hagerstown Community College	$197,045
Maryland Rural Water Association	$55,000
Mount St. Mary’s University	$115,182
Shore Legal Access	$60,000
The Patuxent Partnership	$181,500

 

RMPIF Infrastructure: 7 Grants = $732,133 

Awardee	Total Award
Adkins Arboretum	$49,025
City of Frostburg	$43,000
Habitat for Humanity Choptank, Inc.	$75,000
Habitat For Humanity of Wicomico County, Inc.	$321,360
Maryland Broadband Cooperative	$102,248
Robotics and Engineering in Allegany County-Together, Inc.	$41,500
The Foundation of H.O.P.E., Inc	$100,000

 

RMPIF Rural Health: 16 Grants = $981,150

Awardee	Total Award
Allegany County Human Resources Development Commission	$12,500
CalvertHealth Foundation	$63,040
Cecil Transit	$34,310
Charles Regional Medical Center Foundation	$60,000
Chesapeake Housing Mission Inc.	$50,000
Compass Regional Hospice	$30,000
Friends Aware, Inc.	$30,000
Garrett County Health Department	$132,978
Health Partners Inc.	$93,317
Ivy and Pearls of Southern Maryland Community Charities, Incorporated	$8,000
NAMI Maryland	$39,000
Safe Ride Foundation Inc.	$45,000

 

“A Collective Voice for Rural Maryland  

The Benedictine School for Exceptional Children Foundation Incorporated	$85,505
The Jude House	$45,000
University of Maryland School of Medicine	$172,500
Veteran and Military Support Alliance Inc.	$80,000

Maryland Agricultural Education and Rural Development Assistance Fund: 24 Grants =$670,126 

The MAERDAF grant program has five focus areas-Agricultural and Forestry Education, Community and Economic  Development, Energy, and Youth Engagement and Leadership Development. In FY2026, this program received 87 applications totaling $2,974,388 in requests. Of these requests, 24 grants totaling $670,126 

were awarded. 

MAERDAF Agricultural and Forestry Education: 6 Grants = $170,586 

Awardee	Total Award
Community Trust Foundation	$45,000
Delmarva Chicken Association	$17,086
Ladies of Charity Calvert County, Inc	$8,500
LEAD Maryland Foundation, Inc.	$40,000
Maryland Agricultural Education Foundation	$25,000
MPT Foundation, Inc.	$35,000

 

MAERDAF Community Development: 5 Grants = $163,705 

Awardee	Total Award
Bayside Community Network, Inc.	$27,500
Community Foundation of the Eastern Shore	$17,205
Day Care, Inc.	$45,000
Rebuilding Together Eastern Shore	$45,000
Wor-Wic Community College	$29,000

 

MAERDAF Economic Development: 7 Grants = $159,133 

Awardee	Total Award
Appalachian Community Capital Development Foundation	$40,000
Chamber Orchestra of Southern Maryland, In Concert	$26,175
Chesapeake College	$13,512
Junior Achievement of the Eastern Shore	$20,000
Rose Hill Cemetery	$9,446
Technology Council of Maryland, Inc.	$45,000
Visit St. Mary’s MD, INC	$5,000

 

MAERDAF Energy: 1 Grant = $45,000

Awardee	Total Award
Alliance for Green Heat	$45,000

 

MAERDAF Youth Engagement & Leadership Development: 5 Grants = $131,702 

Awardee	Total Award
Building African American Minds, Inc	$45,000
Habitat for Humanity Susquehanna	$45,000
Howard County Conservancy	$12,535
Maryland Association of Soil Conservation Districts	$8,000
ShoreRivers	$21,167

 

Rural Maryland Council: Operating Budget – $650,000 

Organization	Funds Utilized
Rural Maryland Council	$650,000

 

Founded in 1994, the Rural Maryland Council (RMC) serves as the state’s federally designated rural development  council and functions as a voice for Rural Maryland – advocating, educating, and helping rural communities and  businesses across the state to flourish and to gain equity to its suburban and urban counterparts. The Council  administers the Rural Maryland Prosperity Investment Fund (RMPIF) and the Maryland Agricultural Education and  Rural Development Assistance Fund (MAERDAF) grant programs. Additionally, the Council conducts research  activities to understand rural challenges and outreach to engage rural residents in developing solutions to these  challenges and convenes groups to identify solutions through consensus and coalition building.  

RMC operates under the direction of a 40-member Executive Board in a nonpartisan and nondiscriminatory  manner. The Council’s vision is a future where all of Rural Maryland is prosperous with thriving resources, vibrant  economies, and healthy, connected communities. The organizational goals are to:  

• Encourage healthy, connected communities throughout Rural Maryland through convening stakeholders,  education, public relations, and advocacy;  
• Support the development and growth of vibrant economies in Rural Maryland;  
• Foster stewardship of Maryland’s natural resources; and, 
• Maximize outreach, resources, and mission through financial and organizational development. 

Annapolis, MD – The Rural Maryland Council (RMC) and its membership convened at the  Yellowfin Steak and Fish House in Annapolis on Wednesday, December 4, at 6:00 p.m. for its  Annual Meeting and Rural Impact Awards Ceremony. This annual event provides an overview of  upcoming events and activities for 2025 and honors advocates for rural Maryland communities.  Board Chair Susan O’Neill was the master of ceremonies for the evening and said, “It was a true  privilege to meet and honor our Rural Community Advocates, each of whom exemplifies the spirit  of service and dedication. Their work uplifts entire communities and motivates us to pursue our  vision of a prosperous Rural Maryland, where resources flourish, economies thrive, and residents  enjoy healthy, connected lives.” 

This year, eight awards were presented for the 2024 Rural Impact Award Ceremony:  

Outstanding Rural Community Volunteer Award to Rick Nelson whose volunteer service and  leadership at Chesapeake Housing Mission (CHM) have transformed lives across Maryland’s Lower  Shore. Rick personally designs and manages wheelchair ramp projects, ensuring accessibility and  independence for those in need. To date, he has led over 120 projects, working with more than  1,800 volunteers to improve the lives of low-income families. 

Outstanding Rural Community Volunteer Award to Sara Visintainer who served as Board  President of Choptank Community Health System (CCHS) from 2018 to 2023. Sara led efforts that  expanded access to medical, dental, and behavioral health care for over 30,000 patients annually. Her  advocacy resulted in new health centers, expanded prenatal and pediatric dental care, mobile health  units, and critical services in Kent County, ensuring broader access to quality care. 

Outstanding Rural Community Development Award to Buck Browning, Executive Director of  the Fort Ritchie Community Center for his exceptional leadership in improving the quality of life in  Cascade, Maryland. Under his guidance, the Center has become a vital community hub, offering programs  that support health, wellness, and recreation, including youth camps, kids’ clubs, and a full-service fitness  center, all reflecting his vision to make it the best community center in America. 

Outstanding Rural Economic Development Award to Maryland Area Health Education Center  West (AHEC West) for their leadership in the Innovative Readiness Training (IRT) program, which  provided life-changing healthcare services to over 4,000 residents across the Tri-State area. From July  26 to August 7, 2024, AHEC West coordinated a partnership with the Department of Defense and  local agencies, delivering more than 28,000 medical, dental, optometry, and veterinary procedures at no  cost, saving the community an estimated $1.2 million. 

“A Collective Voice for Rural Maryland” 

Rural Champion Award to Senator ‘Jack’ Bailey has championed rural Maryland since joining the  Senate in 2019, leveraging his conservation background to craft policies that balance environmental  protection and community needs. His work with the Southern Maryland Agriculture Development  Commission has strengthened the agriculture industry, including rebranding the Northern Snakehead  to boost conservation and the economy. Through his efforts on the Joint Committee on Ending  Homelessness, he ensures rural voices are heard and meaningful solutions are implemented. 

Rural Champion Award to Mayor Darlene Taylor whose visionary leadership has transformed  Crisfield, securing over $36 million for flood mitigation, $2 million for elevating City Dock, and  $500,000 for a business incubator. As the first African-American woman mayor, she champions youth  engagement through her nonprofit, impacting over 200 children. Her collaborative, community-driven  approach continues to revitalize Crisfield and serve as a model for rural communities. 

Rural Legacy Award to Santo Grande for his twenty-year leadership at Delmarva Community  Services, where he expanded vital support for individuals with disabilities, the elderly, and underserved  populations across the Eastern Shore. His visionary approach has introduced innovative solutions in  transportation, housing, and essential services, particularly benefiting rural communities. Santo’s  advocacy at local, state, and national levels has strengthened partnerships and enhanced the quality of  life for residents. His compassion and dedication have made a lasting impact, establishing Delmarva  Community Services as a leader in the nonprofit sector. 

Posthumous Rural Legacy Award to Leanne Dawn Bowman-Bodes (posthumously) whose  visionary leadership as Executive Director of the Tri-County Council for Western Maryland  profoundly impacted our community. Leanne’s dedication, from advocating for key programs in  Washington to her leadership at the national level, ensured vital support for rural communities. Her  legacy of service, commitment, and tireless work will continue to inspire Western Maryland for years  to come. 

The Rural Maryland Council operates under the direction of a 40-member executive board in a  nonpartisan and nondiscriminatory manner. It serves as the state’s federally designated rural  development council and functions as a voice for rural Maryland, advocating for and helping rural  communities and businesses across the state to flourish and to gain equity to its suburban and urban  counterparts. The vision for RMC is the ultimate realization that residents in rural communities are  achieving success in education and employment, have access to affordable, quality health care and  other vital public services, and live in an environment where natural and cultural resources are being  sustained for future generations. 

 

A challenging economy, lack of good living wage jobs and access to affordable housing and health care may seem like a laundry list of today’s challenges in most, if not all communities across the United States. However, these issues are nothing new for small towns and rural communities who practically wrote the book on how to weather bad times whether it be a particularly bad harvest, an economic downturn, or even a pandemic.

On Tuesday, November 14, the Rural Maryland Council will host its biennial Rural Summit, a one-day conference to bring together community leaders, legislators and stakeholders who will share their stories of rural innovation, resilience, and sustainability. In addition to gleaning information that they can take to their own communities, attendees will have an opportunity to network with possible future collaborators. 

The Summit, titled “Pathways to Prosperity”, will take place from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. at the Crown Plaza, 173 Jennifer Road, Annapolis. Registration is $60 per attendee. Meals are included.

“What makes our Summit different from other conferences is that RMC starts from the perspective that our experts are also our attendees,” says RMC Chair Susan O’Neill. “Attendees will get great information from the presenters and panelists during our breakout sessions and plenaries, but that stranger seated next to them may be a future collaborator on a grant project or program that they’ve been tying to get off the ground,” she says.

The keynote speaker for “Pathways to Prosperity” is Becky McCray, international speaker and award-winning author of Small Biz Survival. McCray will share her insights on resilience as a lifelong small-town entrepreneur, business owner and cattle rancher. 

The Summit will kick off with an optional forestry focused bus tour on Monday, November 13, from1 to 5 p.m. to Garman Brothers, Inc., a family owned and operated sawmill in Crownsville and the Home Innovations Lab in Upper Marlboro, where research into improving the moisture performance of wood-framed balconies and decks is taking place.
In addition to the keynote address, the Summit will include a preview of the upcoming legislative sessions from Maryland legislators as well as breakout sessions on Agriculture, Community Development, Economic Development and Health Care. The networking luncheon will feature remarks by Maryland Department of Agriculture Kevin Atticks. 

Founded in 1994, the Rural Maryland Council operates under the direction of a 40-member executive board in a nonpartisan and nondiscriminatory manner. RMC is committed to creating real change by going to go directly to the rural stakeholders who understand their community’s challenges. The organization provides grants and opportunities to connect stakeholders with legislators and like-minded people in the state who can create policy and help create real impact.

To register for the Summit, visit rural.maryland.gov or contact RMC at (410) 841-5772 or [email protected]. For updates on all RMC events and activities connect with the Rural Maryland Council at facebook.com/RuralMaryland or on Twitter @RuralMaryland.