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Resource Guide for the Small Business Owner
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Counseling and Education
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Counseling
Baltimore County Small Business Resource Center
Counseling available on a variety of topics such as the development of a business plan and obtaining financing.
Center for Closely Held Firms - Sellinger School, Loyola College
Helps family-owned, privately held businesses through seminars, access to specialists in many fields and opportunities to network.
Maryland Small Business Development Center
Individual counseling (no cost) and workshops are offered on a variety of topics. Locate a local office from this directory. On a regular basis a program entitled "The Nuts and Bolts of Starting Your Own Business" is presented at the Towson Branch of the Baltimore County Public Library.
Maryland Technology Enterprise Institute (MTECH) - University of Maryland
Offers courses to high school abd college students and regional business startups. The institute also offers mentoring and research grants, and sponsors competitions.
Service Corps of Retired Executives (SCORE), Counselors to America's Small Business
Locally held workshops are offered on topics of concern to small business owners. The locations and schedules of these workshops are available on this site.
Small Business Counseling at BCPL branches
Obtain assistance with business plan development, marketing, loan preparation and minority business enterprise at an individual, one-hour appointment with an adviser from the Small Business Resource Center. For dates and times, see dateLines, our calendar of events for the following branches: Catonsville, Essex, Parkville, Randallstown, Rosedale, Towson and White Marsh.
Educational Opportunities
Community College of Baltimore County-Continuing Education and Economic Development
Offers continuing education for management skills. Designs / implements employee training programs in health care, information.technology,leadership and management training, and workplace literacy among many options
Loyola College--Sellinger School of Business and Management
Graduate and executive programs; part-time education for full time professionals. Courses geared to working managers who are seeking leadership credentials.
Private Career Schools
Listing of state-certified courses for refreshing or learning skills.
Towson University - Division of Economic and Community Outreach
Links to a variety of computer training and Information Technology programs.
University of Maryland - Business and Corporate Connections One stop shop location for information on upgrading employee's skills, finding research partners, starting and growing the company and much more.
Incubators
Technology Advancement Program (TAP)
University of Maryland's dynamic environment for technology based start-up companies.
Technology Council of Maryland
Maryland's largest technology trade association which brings its members access to the regional technology industry. Provides valuable resources and benefits to help businesses succeed.
TowsonGlobal Business Incubator - Towson University
Offers resources such as office facilities, business counseling, and workshops for "early-stage" companies based in Maryland and foreign operations looking to start Maryland branches.
University of Maryland, Baltimore County (UMBC)-Research Park and Technology Center
A 41-acre research and technology community with access to university expertise, students, technology, programs and facilities.
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Disaster Preparedness
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Small Business Administration on Disaster Preparedness
This Small Business Administration site lists topics that business owners should be considering such as: insurance, computer system back-ups and location of alternate suppliers.
Federal Emergency Management Administration
The Federal Emergency Management Administration provides a great deal of information about protecting a company's physical plant. Obtain flood maps on-line.
Institute for Business and Home Safety
The Institute for Business and Home Safety is a nonprofit association whose mission is to reduce deaths, injuries, property damage, economic losses and human suffering caused by natural disasters.
Provides extensive information on preparing for earthquakes, floods, freezing weather, hail, hurricanes, tornados and wildfires.
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Franchising
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Franchise Classroom - Online Tutorial
Created by the Ourso College of Business, Louisiana State University, this clearly written, well organized site offers online training lessons, tools and business resources to help prospective franchisees learn the ropes.
Franchise Direct
This comprehensive website deals with franchise opportunities worldwide. The International listings are extensive.Tips as well as research news and articles about latest developments are also provided.
Franchise Gator
Franchise opportunities and business-for-sale listings. Top franchising concepts are showcased.
Franchise Zone-Entrepreneur Magazine
A comprehensive website that helps the potential franchisee to assess opportunities, find help and how-to information from experts and keep up to date with trends in the field (a feature that is updated daily). Also features Opportunity Finder, an interactive tool to explore franchise and business opportunities.
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Government Procurement
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In Baltimore County
Baltimore County Purchasing and Disbursements Division - Events Calendar
The Office of Budget and Finance, Purchasing and Disbursements Division regularly schedules procurement outreach (formerly open house) events to provide an opportunity for vendors to:
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Gain an Understanding of the Purchasing Process
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Meet the County Buyers
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Ask Questions
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Learn about Bid Opportunities with the County
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Review a List of Current Contracts
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Network with other vendors
Baltimore County Office of Budget and Finance - Purchasing Section
Distributes bidder applications for all County purchases, except for the Public Library and Board of Education. Lists currently open bids that are updated weekly.
Minority and Women Business Enterprise Online Directory
Use this online directory to search for a certified minority or women owned business to use on Baltimore County or Federal-Aid projects.Includes firms that are certified by the Maryland Department of Transportation (MDOT).
In the State
eMaryland Marketplace
The state's primary procurement resource to create solicitations, accept bids and make awards, and purchase goods through on-line catalogs.
Maryland Department of General Services - MBE Program
Frequently Asked Questions sheets on the regulations for contracting with the department.
Maryland Department of Transportation - Contract Opportunities
Provides instructions and contacts.
Maryland Department of Transportation--Minority Business Enterprise Program (MBE)
The state requires companies to be certified through this department. State contracts are awarded when primary contractors meet MBE goals.
In the Federal Government
Federal Acquisition Jumpstation
The U.S. Government's one-stop virtual marketplace. Through this single point-of-entry, commercial vendors and government buyers are invited to post, search, monitor and retrieve opportunities solicited by the entire Federal contracting community.
FedeBiz
Learn about doing business with the Federal government using electronic data interchange (EDI).
U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA) - Central Contractor Registration
An electronic gateway to procurement information - for and about minority-owned, HUBZone, and 8 (a) businesses. Businesses may register online. Also provides a search engine for contracting officers, a marketing tool for small firms and a "link" to procurement opportunities.
Vetbiz.gov
The federal web portal for veterans who want to start or expand their business. Information on prime or subcontract opportunities, getting started, marketing, mentoring sources, financing, etc.
Womenbiz.gov
This site targets the 5 specific stages that a woman business owner should go through to explore doing business with the government.
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Human Resources
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Maryland Comprehensive Standard Health Benefit Plan
Based on Maryland law that guarantees small business access to health insurance. Offers the guidelines for purchasing the policy that is most appropriate.
Maryland Health Insurance Partnership
Provides an incentive for employers with 2-9 employees to offer health insurance for their employees; assists low and moderate income employees of these small employers in obtaining health insurance; promotes access to health care services and rewards participating individuals for efforts to improve their health and/or manage chronic disease.
Virtual Compare
A tool to help employers and employees compare health plans offered in the small group market.It is an information source only and does not allow you to apply for insurance on this site, but does provide you contact information for each insurance company and broker/agents who have chosen to register on this site.
BaltimoreCollegetown.org
An online internship database, resources for businesses and students, and links to area college career centers. Also includes sample projects, evaluation criteria, and sample job descriptions. Developed in part through a grant from the Baltimore County Department of Economic Development.
Baltimore County Department of Aging - Senior Employment Service
Aids employers in developing job opportunities for retired seniors.
Baltimore County Department of Economic Development - Workforce Development Division
Assists new and expanding businesses, provides assistance to recruit and retain a skilled workforce, workplace training and education is available as well.
Maryland Workforce Exchange
Pre-screened, job ready applicants available to be interviewed
Md. Department of Labor, Licensing and Regulation (DLLR) - Maryland One-Stop Career Centers: Baltimore County
Helps employers recruit qualified applicants, test applicants, receive tax credits for hiring certain applicants, receive reimbursement for training certain applicants.
Baltimore County Human Relations Commission
Md. Department of Labor, Licensing and Regulation (DLLR) - Office of Unemployment Insurance
This site features a Quick Reference Guide [PDF] which allows employer's to accomplish many UI tasks via the Internet.
Maryland General Assembly: Business Regulation in Maryland [PDF]
Chapter II of this document covers the regulations for Employment and Occupational Safety and Health.
Maryland Occupational Safety and Health Program (MOSH)
Enforces regulations set forth in the Maryland Occupational Safety and Health Act.
Worker's Compensation Commission
The forms, hearing schedules, compensation rates and current news of regulatory changes for the state.
Maryland Workforce Exchange
On-the-job training program for entry level positions. Tax credits for employers hiring from the program.
Community College of Baltimore County - Office of Continuing Education
Provides business and management development resources that are state-of-the-art and targeted to contemporary business needs.
Maryland Technology Extension Service (MTES)
MTES provides knowledge-based engineering, technical and management solutions for Maryland manufacturers.
Private Career Schools
Listing of state-certified courses for refreshing or learning skills.
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Legal Requirements / Regulations
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Find Information: Law
presented by Baltimore County Public Library
Find local and state codes, laws, and regulations and facts about our courts. Points way to legal assistance through a lawyer or other legal services. Find law libraries, legal forms and terminology, notary services, and legal research resources.
Guide to Legal Aspects of Doing Business in Maryland [PDF] Opens in new window
A general guide to the laws and regulations pertaining to business operations in Maryland. A joint publication of the Office of the Attorney General and the Department of Business and Economic Development.
Maryland Department of Business and Economic Development - Permits and Licensing
When starting a business in Maryland, there are a number of resources available for information on business licensing, registration, occupational licenses and other regulatory and compliance issues.
Maryland Comptroller of the Treasury - Information and Services for Businesses
A major starting place for those wanting to do business in Maryland and its Counties. Information on tax credits, tax due dates, and filing withholding tax returns as well as sales and use tax returns electronically.
Maryland Comptroller of the Treasury - Starting a New Business in Maryland
Source for information on getting a business license and the Federal requirements for tax and wage reporting.
Maryland Department of Assessments and Taxation - Checklist for New Business
To help ensure your business' success, it is important that you familiarize yourself with the basic requirements for starting a business in Maryland. The checklist provides a convenient starting point.
Maryland Department of Labor, Licensing, and Regulation
Maryland's electronic licensing site. Obtain and renew a variety of occupational and professional licenses on-line.
Maryland General Assembly: Business Regulation in Maryland [PDF] Opens in new window
Legislative handbook describing the regulation of business in areas such as labor requirements; tax structure; fees; occupational health issues and consumer protection laws.
Baltimore County Bar Association
County resource for locating an attorney.
Maryland Association of Certified Public Accountants
On-line source for locating an accountant.
Maryland Department of Assessments and Taxation - Corporate Charter
View and print a variety of forms to create, change, end, revive a business.
Maryland Department of Assessments and Taxation
Trade names may be registered with this State Agency. Download the form for creating a trade name, fill it in, then mail it.
Maryland Secretary of State
Trademark or Service Mark search and registration. Helpful Frequently Asked Questions section. Print out necessary registration form.
Free Patents Online
Search for patents and download in PDF format. Free registration.
United States Patent and Trademark Office
The Federal Department of Commerce site for information on patent and trademark registration searches
Baltimore County Department of Permits, Approvals and Inspections
Baltimore County resource for permit information.
Maryland Business License Information System (BLIS)
One-stop online source for information on the permits and licenses you may need to start, relocate or expand a business in Maryland.
Maryland Department of the Environment - Small Business Assistance Program
Guide to environmental permitting and compliance. Free assistance is available to small businesses.
Citizen's Guide to Zoning in Baltimore County
Baltimore County Department of Planning provides this document. Helpful definitions of the different zoning classifications are given.
American With Disabilities Act (ADA) Home Page This United States Department of Justice site provides access to enforcement, certification, and regulatory information concerning ADA compliance. Links are provided to other federal agencies with ADA responsibilities. Also provided is the ADA Guide For Small Business.
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Click button below to enter the Legal Forms database
Please note: A library card registered with Baltimore County Public Library is needed to use these online resources.
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Marketing
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Baltimore County Small Business Resource Center
The local contact for all small businesses located in Baltimore County or wishing to conduct business in the county.
Small Business Counseling @ BCPL branches
Obtain assistance with business plan development, marketing, loan preparation and minority business enterprise at an individual, one-hour appointment with an adviser from the Small Business Resource Center. For dates and times, see dateLines, our Calendar of Events for the following branches: Catonsville, Essex, Parkville, Randallstown, Rosedale, Towson and White Marsh.
Service Corps of Retired Executives (SCORE), Counselors to America's Small Business
Individual counseling is available to help the business owner focus on the issues relevant to effective market planning.
Maryland Small Business Development Center (SBDC)
Provides free counseling on business problem solving, business plan development, marketing, loan package preparation to existing businesses and start-ups. Conducts low-cost seminars and workshops on topics of specific interest to small business. A program of the University of Maryland Center for Applied Policy Studies, Towson University, the United States Small Business Administration, and the Maryland Department of Business and Economic Development.
Baltimore County Infobank - Demographics
Population, household income, income statistics with emphasis on Baltimore County. A Baltimore County Department of Economic Development site.
Baltimore Metropolitan Council - Regional Information Center
Provides demographic data for Baltimore County.
Maryland Office of Planning
This department will create customized reports using population and housing census data. The site features helpful maps of Priority Funding Areas, Land Use/Land Cover as well as Existing and Potential Development Areas
Links to electronic resources that contain valuable business information. A library card registered with Baltimore County Public is needed to use the resources.
Hoover's
Provides company details such as description, contact information, competitors and key personnel. This information can be used for client meetings, sales presentations, vendor and partner negotiations, and marketing efforts. News from the business world and scheduled IPOs are also included.
Reference USA
Database of over 11 million company profiles including address and phone number, NAIC codes, numbers of employees, sales volume, product lines and corporate structure. Also includes a residential directory. Featured are:
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US Businesses
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US Standard White Pages
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US Healthcare
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US New Businesses
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Canadian White Pages Canadian Businesses
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US Consumers/Lifestyles - This module broadly applies census information from your neighborhood as well as other “public” records (such as what magazines you subscribe to or memberships that you may have) and makes generalizations about your interests and marketing characteristics. This information is downloadable for potential marketers.
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US New Movers/Homeowners
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General Resources
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Enoch Pratt Free Library: Small Business Corner
Comprehensive list of resources to help create a business or product or for expanding your existing business
University of Maryland, Baltimore County (UMBC) – Research Park and Technology Center
This is an incubator which provides facilities and services that encourage the formation and survival of startup and growth technology enterprises with links to university research and expertise.
Business.gov
A one-stop site managed by the Small Business Administration where businesses can check for all of their compliance needs. Provides compilations of news, information and federal forms from nearly 100 government web sites. Updated regularly. A Business Resource Library provides links to business information and services across federal, state and local governments.
United States Small Business Administration - Maryland District Office
Whether you are starting a business or operating an established business, the United States Small Business Administration has a variety of programs to assist you. Counseling offered in the areas of finance, management, technology and procurement.
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