Governor Wes Moore on Thursday unveiled a major expansion of the Maryland Community Business Compass, significantly increasing the number of funding and technical assistance resources available to small business owners through the state’s free online platform. The enhanced database now includes nearly 2,500 programs, a tenfold increase from the roughly 250 state and local offerings featured at the tool’s launch.
The Compass was designed to help entrepreneurs identify demand for essential goods and services in their communities, connect with expert support, and locate funding opportunities, with an initial focus on child care and fresh food businesses. The updated version broadens that scope by incorporating grants, loans, training programs, rebates, tax credits and technical assistance drawn from more than 100 sources across Maryland. Those sources now extend beyond government agencies to include private foundations, community development financial institutions and universities.
Officials said the expansion addresses a long-standing barrier for many small business owners who struggle to navigate the fragmented landscape of available support. By consolidating information in one searchable location and using artificial intelligence to summarize complex eligibility rules in plain language, the platform aims to level the playing field for entrepreneurs in communities that have historically had less access to capital and guidance.
The Maryland State Innovation Team, working in the governor’s office, developed the Compass and led the database expansion in partnership with Anthropic. The AI system processes more than 72,000 web pages to identify programs, extract key details such as deadlines and contacts, and generate clear summaries that are then reviewed for accuracy before publication. This approach allows the database to stay current as new opportunities emerge.
State leaders framed the update as part of a larger strategy to strengthen economic mobility and reduce child poverty by supporting businesses that provide critical services. The Compass sits alongside other recent initiatives, including a $3 million package announced last month to assist small and minority-owned enterprises.
Chief Innovation Officer Francesca Ioffreda said the project grew out of direct feedback from business owners and residents who knew resources existed but found them difficult to locate. The integration of responsible AI tools, she noted, represents one way the administration is modernizing how state services are delivered while maintaining oversight through human review.
The platform’s growth also aligns with Maryland’s broader efforts around artificial intelligence, including the 2025 Responsible AI Policy and the new Maryland AI Innovation Lab housed in the Department of Information Technology. That lab provides agencies with infrastructure and expertise to test and scale AI applications that improve government operations and community outcomes.
For small business owners in Southern Maryland, the expanded Compass offers a centralized starting point for exploring support tailored to local needs, whether that involves opening a child care center, expanding access to fresh food or pursuing other essential-service ventures. Users can search by location, business type and type of assistance, then follow direct links to application materials or program contacts.
The enhanced funding database is available immediately at compass.maryland.gov/incentives. Officials encouraged entrepreneurs and community organizations to explore the tool and provide feedback as the platform continues to evolve.
