Rural Business Energy Efficiency Improvement Loan Fund (RBEE Loan Fund)

In collaboration with the Maryland Energy Administration and using Regional Greenhouse Gas Initiative (RGGI) funds, MARBIDCO offers affordable, below-market-rate microloans for projects that improve energy efficiency in food and fiber processing businesses. The program helps rural businesses reduce energy consumption while increasing profitability, enabling farmers and agricultural-based industry business owners to implement the recommendations of a third-party energy auditor.

The borrower should have a credit score of at least 620 and no bankruptcies filed within the last seven years. Loans are unsecured; only the personal guarantee of the borrowers and/or businesses is required. A copy of an energy audit, an ag energy management plan report, or an energy savings confirmation letter from a qualified third-party energy auditor must be submitted with the application, along with a simple commercial lender referral. Loans are fully amortized with terms not exceeding the anticipated savings payback period, with at least a 1.0-to-1.0 ratio on annual energy savings payback.

Loans range from $5,000 to $30,000 at a 4.50% fixed rate, with a $75 origination fee. Loan advances may not exceed actual improvement costs minus grant incentive funding received. A grant incentive of 10% of the loan amount (not to exceed $1,000) is available. Debt service coverage of at least 1.0-to-1.0 on annual energy savings payback is required, and terms may not exceed the anticipated savings payback period.

All applications must be originated by the applicant and sent to MARBIDCO Loan Programs, 1410 Forest Drive, Suite 21, Annapolis, MD 21403, or info@marbidco.org. Applications are processed in the order received.