Governor Moore launches Maryland Community Investment Venture Fund to promote access to capital for small business owners

ANNAPOLIS, MD—Governor Wes Moore this week announced the launch of the Maryland Community Investment Venture Fund, a $2.5 million initiative aimed at boosting access to capital for small business owners in low- to moderate-income communities. The fund, established under the governor’s 2023 Access to Banking Act, seeks to enhance funding and financial services for small businesses, which Moore called the […]

Maryland appoints new chief innovation officer

ANNAPOLIS, MD—Francesca Ioffreda has been appointed as Maryland’s new chief innovation officer, Gov. Wes Moore announced. Ioffreda will lead the first-ever Bloomberg Philanthropies-supported state-level Innovation Team. Ioffreda will oversee a seven-person team that will use data analysis, rapid prototyping, insight development, and project management to help state agencies create and test new efforts to reduce child poverty in the state. […]