Talbot County has awarded $200,000 to 10 projects through its inaugural Community Reinvestment and Repair Fund (CRRF) grant cycle.
As previously covered by MACo, the Community Reinvestment and Repair Fund was established as part of Maryland’s Cannabis Reform Act of 2023, following voter approval of adult-use cannabis legalization in 2022. The Fund is intended to address the long-term effects of disproportionate enforcement of cannabis prohibition. State law directs CRRF resources toward community-based organizations and initiatives serving low-income communities and areas disproportionately impacted by cannabis enforcement.
In a press release from Talbot County, Talbot Family Network, serving as the County’s CRRF Commission, coordinated the application and review process for its inaugural Community Reinvestment and Repair Fund (CRRF) grant cycle.
The County received 19 applications requesting a combined $867,350, more than four times the funding available. Six projects received Small Grant awards totaling $50,000, while four Community Impact Grants received a combined $150,000.
Funded projects address a range of community needs, including housing repairs and accessibility, behavioral health, early childhood education, youth development, literacy, workforce development, and child welfare system improvements.
The Small Grant recipients include Bay Hundred Community Volunteers, Mid Shore Behavioral Health, Mid Shore Early Learning Center, Polaris Village Early Learning Center, Tilghman Area Youth Association, and Talbot County Public Schools. Community Impact Grant recipients include Building African American Minds, Foundation of Hope, Talbot Mentors, and the Talbot County Department of Social Services.
These inaugural awards represent an important first step in using CRRF as a strategic community investment tool. The strong response to this first funding opportunity also underscores the importance of continued public input as Talbot County develops the framework that will guide future investments, said Lauren Weber, chair of the Talbot CRRF Commission.
Additional funding rounds are planned for 2027 and will be informed by Talbot County’s CRRF Distribution Plan.