We live in an age where partnerships are critical to the success of a region.
The Baltimore Washington Corridor Chamber prides itself on more than six decades
of forging partnerships to create opportunities and solve problems. We have
developed excellent working relationships with each of these agencies/entities,
and commend their personnel and resources to you. If we may provide a virtual
introduction to any of them, please let us know.
Here’s a quick look at resources that every business should review and become
knowledgeable about, depending on where you are located and the interests/needs
you have:
Maryland Department
of Business & Economic Development (DBED)
Maryland's one-stop economic development shop strives to attract new businesses,
stimulate private investment, encourage the expansion and retention of existing
companies and provide Maryland business with workforce training and financial assistance.
The Department markets local products and services at home and abroad.
Key Programs & Services
- Business information and economic analysis
- Site location services for relocations and expansions
- Incentive tax credits and training grants
- Finance and training programs
- Consulting services
- Foreign direct investment promotion
- Export assistance
- American Recovery and Reinvestment Act assistance
Maryland State
Data Center (MSDC)
The Maryland State Data Center (SDC) is an official partner with the U.S. Census
Bureau. The Maryland Department of Planning coordinates the SDC program in Maryland.
The SDC monitors development trends, analyzes social, economic and other characteristics
and prepares population, housing, employment, labor force, and income projections,
which provide the baseline for planning for growth and development in the State.
Maryland Insurance Administration (MIA)
The MIA's goal is to provide efficient, effective service to both the consumers
of insurance products and the insurance industry. The MIA best serves its core constituents
by assuring fair treatment of consumers. This consumer protection begins by ensuring
the availability of insurance coverage at fair prices and extends to issues of solvency
and fair sales, claims and settlement practices.
The agency strives to increase public understanding of the vital role insurance
plays in the daily lives of Maryland citizens and businesses. Insurance is the principal
means of managing risks. While it is not possible to eliminate risks arising from
poor health, auto accidents, home damage and other unexpected occurrences, one may
minimize its impact by purchasing appropriate insurance coverage.
Though the MIA cannot recommend a particular policy or insurance company, it
can help you learn what types of coverage are available, at what cost, and assist
you if you have a complaint about how your insurance company responds when you file
a claim.
Maryland Department
of Labor, Licensing & Regulation (DLLR)
The Department of Labor, Licensing and Regulation protects and empowers Marylanders
by safeguarding workers, protecting consumers, providing a safety net and cultivating
a thriving workforce that can meet the demands of Maryland’s dynamic economy.
Maryland Office of
the Comptroller (MOC)
The principal duty of this office is to collect taxes. With a budget of $110
million, the agency collects approximately $16 billion a year in state and local
tax revenue and provides 12 branch offices throughout the state.
The major revenue sources are individual and business income taxes and sales
and use taxes. The agency also collects taxes on motor fuel, estates, admissions
and amusement, and alcohol and tobacco. It also tests motor fuel to ensure the quality
of the product for the consumer.
By enforcing the collection of use tax, the comptroller's goal is to provide
a level playing field for local businesses in competing with out-of-state retailers
who sell through catalogs and on the Internet. Enforcement agents control the smuggling
of untaxed cigarettes and alcohol into the state.
The comptroller audits taxpayers for compliance, handles delinquent tax collection,
and enforces license and unclaimed property laws. The agency publicizes forgotten
bank accounts, insurance benefits and other unclaimed assets of taxpayers.
The office provides information technology services critical to the daily operation
of most state agencies. Acting as Maryland's chief accountant, the comptroller pays
the state's bills, maintains its books, prepares financial reports, and pays state
employees.
Maryland State Department
of Assessments & Taxation (SDAT)
The Taxpayer Services' Corporate Charter/Charter Legal Review unit is custodian
of documents relating to the organization and ownership of many types of business
entities that are required to file documents with the State. These documents include
charters for Maryland corporations and qualifications and registrations for foreign
corporations. The unit is also the custodian of security interest (UCC) filings.
Maryland Department
of General Services (DGS)
The mission of the Maryland Department of General Services is to provide
leading-edge professional and technical services to keep State and local government
working today and in the future.
DGS does this by creating safe and secure work environments; designing,
building, leasing, managing and maintaining facilities; leading energy conservation
efforts; procuring goods and services; and providing essential functions such as
fuel management, disposition of surplus property and records storage.
The State of Maryland has developed two separate small business programs
to provide greater access and opportunity for small businesses seeking business
with the State.
Small Business Reserve Program
The Small Business Reserve Program specifically targets small businesses
registered with the Department where certain procurements may be designated as small
business reserve only. For procurements designated as such, only certified small
businesses will be awarded such procurements. This MAKES IT FAIR FOR small businesses
SINCE they are only competing against other small businesses.
Small Business Preference Program
The Small Business Preference Program allows certified small businesses
to enjoy a price preference over non-certified small businesses competing for the
same contract award. In addition to a small business preference, small businesses
that are veteran owned can enjoy an additional preference and small businesses that
are service disabled veteran owned can enjoy an even greater preference.
Registration for the Small Business Reserve and Preference Programs are
easy and can be done on-line quickly. Detailed information about the program, including
qualifications, agencies that participate and rules regarding the program can also
be found on the site. Currently only seven thousand small businesses take advantage
of these programs
Small Business Administration (SBA, Maryland Office)
Provides extensive information on starting and managing a business; loans and
grants; various aspects of contracting with the federal government, prime contractors,
etc; sources of local business counseling and training; and much more!
Service Corps of
Retired Executives (SCORE)
The SCORE Association “Counselors to America’s Small Business” is a nonprofit
association comprised of 11,500 volunteer business counselors throughout the U.S.
and its territories. SCORE members are trained to serve as counselors advisors and
mentors to aspiring entrepreneurs and business owners. These services are offered
at no fee, as a community service.
Maryland Small Business Development Centers (SBDC)
Small Business Development Centers (SBDCs) are partnerships primarily between
the government and colleges/universities administered by the Small Business Administration
and aims at giving educational services for small business owners and aspiring entrepreneurs.
SBDC services include, but are not limited to, assisting small businesses with financial,
marketing, production, organization, engineering and technical problems and feasibility
studies. All services given at SBDCs are free and confidential. Additional low cost
training options are available.
Maryland Procurement Technical
Assistance Program (PTAP)
Maryland PTAP assists Maryland small businesses in how to do business
with federal, state, and local government agencies. This assistance is provided
at no cost to the small business owner. Small businesses (as defined by the
SBA - Small Business Administration) that have a product or service needed by a
government agency are welcome to apply for services.
The Procurement Technical Assistance Center is funded, in part, by the
Department of Defense through the Defense Logistics Agency's Office of Small and
Disadvantaged Business Utilization, the Maryland Department of Business and Economic
Development, the University of Maryland and other local agencies.
Governor’s Office of
Minority Affairs (GOMA)
The mission of the Governor's Office of Minority Affairs (GOMA) is facilitating
minority business enterprise activities through coordinating and promoting government
programs aimed at strengthening and preserving the state’s 200,000 minority and
women owned businesses. GOMA is also responsible for overseeing the work of the
state agencies as they plan and carry out projects that are intended to overcome
special problems related to minority business enterprise participation initiatives.
As the state's principal advocates for minority businesses, we help minority
business owners who are seeking state certification and state procurement opportunities.
We also help minority business owners who believe they have been treated unfairly
by a state agency or other entity.
We provide referrals to agencies and other entities that have programs to assist
minority business owners in getting the services they need to start, develop and
grow.
Anne Arundel Economic Development
Corporation (AAEDC)
AAEDC’s priority is to support the growth and success of Anne Arundel County
businesses. If you are a business in need of assistance with financing, real estate,
workforce training and recruitment, permitting, small business counseling, or other
issues, please allow our team of professionals to help. Our services are free
of charge, confidential, and address the challenges of today’s business environment.
Let us help you meet your business needs today!
Howard County Economic Development
Authority (HCEDA)
In our privatized role as the County's economic development agency, the Authority
assists businesses with land and building selection, financing, employee recruitment
and training, permit and regulatory issues, and provides other development support
services.
Montgomery County Department of Economic Development (MCDED)
Montgomery County’s highly-successful Business Innovation Network nurtures and
grows young entrepreneurs into thriving county employers and its nationally renowned
93,000-acre Agricultural Reserve helps protect, promote and support our diverse
agribusinesses. It also has an award-winning Small Business Mentorship Program
that pairs new business owners with successful business leaders and a Local Small
Business Reserve Program helps ensure that local businesses get their share of county
procurement contracts. In addition, amny other services are provided.
Prince George’s County Economic
Development Corporation (PGCEDC)
Under authority of the County Executive, the Prince George’s County Economic
Development Corporation (EDC), provides: the right combination of investment incentives
to attract new businesses; access to support services and capital to help businesses
grow; and information on procurement opportunities to enable businesses to sustain
their growth. The EDC is committed to promoting economic development, expanding
business opportunities, and providing assistance to businesses interested in locating
their principal office or base of operations in Prince George’s County.
BRAC (Base) Business Initiative (BBI)
The BRAC Business Initiative (BBI) actively engages in defining the environment,
identifying the obstacles and documenting specific actions required by small businesses
desiring to do work with the Department of Defense and/or with supporting contractors.
The BBI provides the small and minority businesses of the Fort Meade Region with
a living “terrain map” that clearly illustrates the opportunities and the obstacles
imbedded into the Fort Meade contracting environment. To become a member (“Partner
Company”) of the BRAC (Base) Business Initiative and to be added to email distribution,
all one needs to do is register in the BBI Match-Up Database.