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Attention Maryland Non-Profits searching for Maryland State Grants to apply for
January 2009
The Governor's Grants Office (GGO) serves Maryland's local and state governments and nonprofit organizations through the state by helping them find, obtain and manage grants free of charge. GGO recently created an innovative project that uses existing technological resources in the State to further improve how Marylanders search and find information about Maryland State grants via the Governor's Grants Office web site.
With this new searchable database, individuals can see financials of each foundation, view grant recipients, and link to the foundation websites.
During these uncertain economic times, it can be very difficult to secure grants.
If you would like to be added to the Grants Office listserv to receive Governor's Grants News by e-mail, as well as invitations to future GGO's grants trainings and conferences, simply e-mail your contact information to
mdgrantsoffice@gov.state.md.us
or call 410-974-5090.
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Two New IRS Products for Small Businesses and the Self-Employed
December 2008
Two new IRS products make it easier for small businesses and the self-employed to locate the information they need on the IRS's official Web site, www.irs.gov. These new products are part of a yearlong campaign to help educate new self-employed small business owners about the federal tax responsibilities and about filing for Schedule C, Profit or Loss from Business.
Publication 4667, a free bookmark titled Tax Information for Small Businesses and the Self- Employed, provides key search words to help new business owners locate important tax information on the IRS Web site quickly and easily. Order this free bookmark on the Small Business Online Ordering page at http://www.irs.gov/businesses/small/article/0,,id=101169,00.html
The Self-Employed Individual Center is a one-stop starting point for small businesses and self-employed taxpayers who file Schedule C with their Form 1040 and provides links to information on the most common issues new businesses face.
To get the latest information about other future Schedule C program events and learn about new products and services as they become available, start a free subscription to e-News for Small Businesses at
www.irs.gov.
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New state health insurance initiative benefits small business owners
December 2008
There's an important new health coverage initiative available to Maryland small businesses and their employees. The recently passed Working Families and Small Business Health Coverage Act established a subsidy program to encourage more small employers to offer health insurance to their employees. This program, the Health Insurance Partnership, began enrolling small businesses on September 9 for coverage beginning October 1. Employers have their choice of health benefit plans offered by CareFirst BCBS, Coventry Health Care, United Healthcare and Aetna.
The partnership is specifically targeted at reducing the number of uninsured individuals in Maryland. Eligibility is limited to a small business that has two to nine full-time employees, has not offered health insurance to its employees during the previous 12 months, and has an average wage below $50,000. Businesses meeting these criteria may be eligible to receive a subsidy of up to 50 percent of the premium. The partnership is expected to enroll over 1,500 businesses in its first year and enrollment will be capped to stay within the program's approved annual budget. If you are a small business owner interested in the partnership,
click here.
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TEDCO offers Business Analysis for Eligible Innovative Companies
December 2008
The Maryland Technology Development Corporation (TEDCO) has established the Rural Business Innovation Program to help companies achieve greater success and sustainability. Companies work with regional TEDCO Technical Assistance Specialists who will provide an in-depth analysis of a company's business and/or technical needs. Based on the analysis, business consultants or technical experts will provide the assistance at no cost to the company. The value of the assistance is capped at $10,000 per company. Companies must meet certain eligibility requirements based on number of employees and amount of revenue, among other criteria.
The types of companies that have received assistance in the past include agriculture technology, machine shop, software development, government contractors, sailing equipment, renewable energy, educational software, aquaculture and others.
For more information, including eligibility criteria, contact Ms. Robbie Melton, Program Director, at 410-715-4164 or e-mail
Rmelton@marylandtedco.org.
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Tech Council of Maryland Hosts 'Selling to the State of Maryland' Conference
December 2008
The Tech Council of Maryland (TCM) is hosting a Selling to the State of Maryland Conference to be held at the Johns Hopkins University Applied Physics Lab's Kossiakoff Center on Wednesday, January 7, 2009.
Attendees will :
Hear from state officials about how the procurement process works.
Discover what business opportunities exist for contractors with the state.
Learn best practices of working in a teaming arrangement with other state contractors to partner and win in the state marketplace.
The cost to attend the Selling to the State of Maryland Conference is $59 for TCM MemberPlus, $79 for TCM members and $149 for non-TCM members. For more information or to register visit
https://techcouncilmd.com/events.
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Calvert County 2009 Visitors Guides are available!
To receive free copies of the 2009 Visitors Guide or the major events rack card, or for more information on County attractions and events, please contact the Calvert County, Maryland, Department of Economic Development at 410.535.4583 or 800.331.9771 or via e-mail at info@ecalvert.com
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Business Women: consider joining the American Business Women's Association
CLICK HERE for ABWA information. For local chapter information, contact Lyn Striegel Lyn@legalstriegel.com
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The Maryland Technology Development Corporation (TEDCO) has established the Rural Business Innovation Program (RBI) to help companies achieve greater success and sustainability.
Companies work with regional TEDCO Technical Assistance Specialists (TAS) who will provide an in-depth analysis of a company's business and/or technical needs. Based on the analysis, business consultants or technical experts will provide the assistance at no cost to the company. The value of the assistance is capped at $10,000 per company. Companies must meet certain eligibility
requirements based on number of employees and amount of revenue, among other criteria.
Some of the kinds of companies that received assistance in the past include: agriculture technology, machine shop, software development, government contractors, sailing equipment, renewable energy, educational software, aquaculture, and others.
For more information, including eligibility criteria, contact Ms. Robbie Melton, Program Director, at 410-715-4164 or
Rmelton@marylandtedco.org
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Does your business's trash weigh too much?
Did you know that if you work with Calvert Trash Systems and your trash weighs a lot, it will cost you more $$ to pick up than if you quickly sort out bottles and other heavy recyclables?
If you are interested in having a quick visit from the folks at Calvert Trash Systems to find out how to maximize your trash/recycling effectiveness, email Paul Knight, Sales Manager at knightp@repsrv.com or call 1-888-MR-TRASH
Calvert Trash Systems is devoted to making a more GREEN beach!
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The Maryland Minority Research & Development Initiative (MMRDI)
The Maryland Technology Development Corporation (TEDCO) recently announced the establishment of the Maryland Minority Research and Development Initiative (MMRDI).
The goal of this initiative is to help prepare minority- and women-owned businesses applying for early-stage research and development federal grants. Specifically, it will help minority entrepreneurs successfully compete for the highly selective Small Business Innovation Research (SBIR) and Small Business Technology Transfer (STTR) federal grant awards. MMRDI will provide qualified companies with targeted training and business assistance, pre-submission proposal reviews, and access to the equipment and expertise of the University of Maryland College Park and federal laboratories within the state.
Companies eligible for the MMRDI must be minority- or women-owned, American, for-profit enterprises interested in or actively conducting research on the problems relevant to the research solicitations issued by federal agencies participating in the SBIR/STTR program. Companies must be based in Maryland and have fewer than 500 employees.
The Maryland Technology Development Corporation (TEDCO), an independent entity, was established by the Maryland General Assembly in 1998 to facilitate the creation of businesses and foster their growth in all regions of the State. TEDCO's role is to be Maryland's leading source of funding for seed capital and entrepreneurial business assistance for technology transfer and development programs. TEDCO connects emerging technology companies with federal laboratories, research universities, business incubators and specialized technical assistance.
For more information on TEDCO and its programs and resources, visit www.MarylandTEDCO.org
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Health Insurance Partnership for Small Businesses
Maryland took another step forward in its efforts to expand health insurance to uninsured Marylanders on September 9 when enrollment began in the Health Insurance Partnership, an initiative to help very small businesses provide health insurance to their employees at about half the cost.
The Health Insurance Partnership is a coordinated effort between the Department of Health and Mental Hygiene, the Maryland Health Care Commission (MHCC), participating insurance carriers and employers to lower the cost of health care insurance for small businesses. Eligible businesses include those who employ between two and nine full-time employees, have not offered health insurance to their employees during the previous 12 months, and pay an average wage below $50,000. Through the use of existing health care funds, the state will help eligible small businesses buy health care at about half the cost.
The Partnership is expected to enroll more than 1,500 businesses in its first year. Enrollment will be capped to stay within the approved annual budget.
For additional information about the assistance available to small businesses, log on to MHCC or call 410-764-3460.
The partnership is part of the Working Families and Small Business Health Coverage Act of 2007, which when fully implemented will expand health care to more than 100,000 Marylanders.
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Calvert County Small Businesses May Qualify for Health Insurance Premium Assistance
Beginning October 1 2008, small businesses in the State of Maryland may qualify for a health insurance subsidy to offset the cost of health insurance offered to their employees. Small employers with two to nine employees, who currently do not provide health insurance coverage, may qualify for a premium subsidy to help defray the cost of coverage. Rates vary, but subsidies typically range from three to four thousand dollars per year.
Beginning October 1 2008, the
Health Partnership, through the Maryland Health Care Commission, will give out
fifteen million dollars on a first come, first served basis. To determine
if your business qualifies, visit the Health Partnership website at www.mhcc.maryland.gov/
“In these challenging economic times we must press forward with creative solutions to offer health insurance to the 800,000 Marylanders who currently do not have health insurance” Delegate Kullen said. “The money will go quickly so I want to make sure that Calvert County businesses are standing in the front of the line”, she added.
The State of Maryland through HB 1057 is trying to help small businesses be able to afford health insurance for their employees. This market-based, collaborative effort will cover more people who currently do not have access to health insurance.
Please contact Delegate Sue Kullen’s Annapolis office (410) 841-3231 for more information.
FREE Online Business Training Courses Available
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Do you know about BNI?
BNI is a business and professional networking organization whose primary purpose is to exchange qualified business referrals.
It is the largest networking organization of its kind. Currently, BNI has over 4,700 chapters internationally (www.bni.com) and 100 chapters in Maryland and DC. In 2006 the nearly 100,000 members of BNI worldwide passed almost 5 million referrals, which resulted in almost 2 billion dollars worth of business for each other.
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President - Jamie West |
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Vice President - Adrienne LaGier |
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Sec/Treas - Stan Toney |
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Gain access to Small Business assistance quick!
The Maryland Small Business Development Center has introduced a new intake process that will help small businesses gain access to a variety of tools and one-on-one assistance as appropriate.
Go to www.mdsbdc.umd.edu and select your appropriate status: "Smart Start" for developmental businesses or "Grow Smart" for existing businesses. Go Check It Out!
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Maryland Business Works is a workforce training grant program through the Maryland Department of Labor, Licensing and Regulation designed to assist Maryland businesses by providing financial assistance for training existing workers. Employers receive a 50 percent reimbursement of training costs for approved projects. For more information on this program, contact a Southern Maryland Workforce Business Services representative, at 301.645.8712 Ext. 313.********************************************************************************************************
ATTENTION WOMEN BUSINESS OWNERS!
The Calvert County Commission for Women is the County's volunteer agency charged with:
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developing opportunities for women, |
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eliminating barriers that prevent women from realizing their full potential, |
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giving recognition to the contributions of women in Calvert County |
The Commission meets each month on the third Thursday at 7 p.m. in the conference room at the Lusby Office Suites in Prince Frederick. Meetings are open to the public.
CLICK HERE for more information about the organization or get an application to join
COME JOIN US!
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Seeking a Few Good Stories
Do you have a newsworthy business or tourism story? Something unusual, ironic or outstanding that would make a great news story? If so, the Calvert County Department of Economic Development wants to know about it. Examples would be a major local business expansion, securing a lucrative new contract, a casual Calvert County visit that turned into a marriage proposal or a local business with philanthropic initiatives that are making a world of difference.
If your story is worth telling, please e-mail info@ecalvert.com with the story and contact information. The Department of Economic Development will randomly select one story a month to feature on their Web site, in a press release or in their quarterly newsletter.
For more information on the Calvert County, Md., Department of Economic Development and the many services the County offers the business community, call 410.535.4583, 800.331.9771 or 301.855.1880; e-mail info@ecalvert.com, or visit online at www.ecalvert.com.
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Do you know about the Maryland Broadband Cooperative Initiative?
Ellen Flowers-Fields, Director of Regional Economic Development, Tri-County Council for Southern Maryland was our featured speaker at the February 2007 BBG Meeting. Ellen spoke to us about the Maryland Broadband Cooperative initiative.
The Maryland Broadband Cooperative (MDBC) is a public/private partnership to promote economic development through the deployment of technology supporting infrastructures. Their mission is to drive economic development through universal, open access to broadband services via a fiber optic network that serves rural Maryland by building an advanced, world-class broadband network across the rural communities of Eastern, Southern and Western Maryland supported by its’ members who provide "Last Mile" services.
Visit their WEBSITE for more details!
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YOU should apply to become a Partner Site on the Southern Maryland Trails System!
The Southern Maryland Trails is a guidebook to sites throughout the Southern Maryland region that celebrate "earth, art and imagination." The Guidebook contains a wealth of information, including maps, directions and descriptions of each site, plus interesting tips and insight into our area's culture and natural history. This guide is free and available to residents and tourists at many sites across our region.
Several BBG Member Businesses are ALREADY Partners, like Sweet Sue's Bakeshop & Coffee Bar
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YOU should know about the Southern Maryland Small Business Development Center
The Southern Maryland Small Business Development Center can provide one-on-one confidential counseling not just for small start-ups but also for larger existing companies on topics such as expansion, strategic planning and financing. For more information, visit their website or call 301.934.7583.(Scroll down for more ways to Cultivate Your Business!)
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YOU should know about Maryland Business Works
Maryland Business Works is a workforce training grant program through the Maryland Department of Labor, Licensing and Regulation designed to assist Maryland businesses by providing financial assistance for training existing workers. Employers receive a 50% reimbursement of training costs for approved projects. For more information on this program, contact the Calvert County Department of Economic Development at 410.535.4583.
http://www.ecalvert.com/content/businessdatabase/index.asp