For those who live in the Mid-Atlantic state of Maryland, life is often very busy. From its location near Virginia and Washington D.C., this is a state that is home to a wide range of businesses, politicians, and higher education facilities. It sits on the Atlantic Ocean, creating some exceptional locations for beach goers who are looking for recreation. The state, called “Old Line State” and “Free State” has played a role in the country’s founding, and it’s still easy to find Colonial homes and beautiful architecture dotting the landscape. From the capital of Annapolis to the largest city of Baltimore, Maryland is home to 6.1 million people. It has a higher cost of living than other states, but it’s also an excellent location for those who are starting a business, or growing one.
Small business makes up a big part of the economy here. The major economic sectors in Maryland include information technology, healthcare, higher education, retail services, and some manufacturing, as well as biotechnology. Yet, there are many small businesses that contribute to the economic health of the state outside of those areas. The U.S. Small Business Administration shares that there are 634,622 small businesses operating in the Maryland. Those businesses contribute 1.2 million jobs to the economy, which pumps $61,158,465 through payroll into the state. There’s no doubt that a significant number of people are dependent on these businesses.
For businesses to grow and flourish, they need capital. That is where small business lenders in Maryland come into play. According to the latest three years worth of data from the U.S. Small Business Administration, there are 2,026 active small business loans in Maryland. Those loans have a total value of $1,071,942,448. They provide resources such as capital for businesses to develop new products and funds to expand operations. The average loan size in the state is $529,093. That’s a significant amount of money that goes to help support those organizations.
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How small business loans work in Maryland
Small business loans are a financial tool. Like any other loan, lenders provide the capital from the loan to use for various reasons by the business, who is the borrower. The business then repays the loan, along with interest, over a period of time. There are a few things that make small business loans a bit different than others. First, they are typically available to small businesses which are often defined as companies with under 100 employees. Most often, these loans are meant for companies that are established rather than as funds used for startups.
Small business lenders in Maryland are available in various forms. Some are private lenders while others are big banks. While the lender does matter, it is always important for companies to consider the actual qualifications the lender has for borrowers. Lenders take on risk when offering this capital, which is why most will have very specific and sometimes stringent requirements for companies to meet. Some of the requirements will center around the business owner’s credit score unless the business has its own established credit history.
Other information is about the company’s financials. How much revenue is the company producing each month? How much other debt does the company have? Maryland small business lenders also often consider the industry the company is in, the types of products and services offered, and the competition. Companies with a business plan can present that information to the lender for consideration. Ultimately, most lenders need to be sure the company can make payments on the borrowed funds with good consistency.
Whether you need to buy real estate, acquire new equipment, or simply expand operations, many entrepreneurs turn to small business loans as a leading way to get the funding to accomplish these goals. After you have exhausted your research with the Maryland Department of Commerce, the U.S. Small Business Administration and federal government, women-owned business associations, and incentive programs in your local area, it may be time to expand your search for business lending and business assistance to Maryland small business loans from credit unions and banks directly.
While nonprofit organizations can usually apply for grants to get support with expanding their operations, or use tax credits to generate savings, for-profit businesses might need loans to support their cash flow.
Small business lenders in Maryland may offer a variety of types of loans, too. This could include loans such as:
- Bank loans
- SBA loans from SBA.gov
- Business term loans
- Equipment financing
- Business lines of credit
Some loans have a very specific requirement – such as being used to purchase equipment the company needs to operate or grow. Other loans are more flexible, but most often, lenders still want to know that the funds are being used to support business operations. Some loans provide a single infusion of capital while others are a line of credit to use over time.
Small business owners must take into consideration the qualifications of lenders, too, considering who they are and what types of loans they offer.