Starting or running a business can be difficult, stressful, and overwhelming. Many small business owners aren't sure where to look to find small business resources and support. Below are some business resources that you may find helpful.

 

 

Our office is a great source of information for you and your business. Our Starting a Small Business Guide can walk you through the process of starting and operating a business in Garrett County. 

 

Garrett College's Center for Entrepreneurship and Innovation is a one-stop-shop for local business support. The Center supports the organic growth of small-to-medium businesses and feeds their aspirations with coaching and workshops. The Center houses a business incubator and coworking "hive" that provides affordable office space, on-site business support, and broadband wireless access in a collaborative environment.

Garrett College offers training in almost any subject area desired by local businesses, agencies, and groups. The College's Continuing Education and Workforce Development Division will customize training tomeet an employer's specific employment need, and its Career Technology Training Center (CTTC) offers a variety of non-credit training courses and programs designed to help students earn industry-recognized certificates or credentials and develop employability skills needed for the current job market. And if you are an aspiring entrepreneur, Garrett College's Ecosystem for Businesses can help you discover the many resources available to help you succeed.

 

The Garrett County Chamber of Commerce can help you expand your business network. The Chamber also offers cost savings and discounts with its Premier Power Energy Savings Program, Office Depot/Office Max, Constant Contact email marketing, and other such programs. 

 

For additional information on state resources, click on the following links:

 

 

 

The Tri-County Council for Western Maryland, Inc. (TCC) is a Local Development District serving Allegany, Garrett, and Washington Counties. TCC, through its Summit Financing Solutions, offers two loan programs for Western Maryland's small businesses.

 

The Natural Capital Investment Fund (NCIF) is a small business loan fund that supports entrepreneurs who are creating jobs and businesss in underserved communities in Central Appalachia and the Southeast. NCIF offers flexible capital loans and advisory services to small businesses, agricultural enterprises, and community organizations. It also offers small technical assistance grants.

The Western Maryland Consortium is the Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Act (WIOA) referral agency serving Allegany, Garrett, and Washington Counties and is a part of the Maryland Workforce Investment Works network. In addition to the wide range of services for those seeking employment, the Consortium can assist business owners in filling available positions with qualified job seekers through its various programs.
 

For additional information on regional resources, click on the following links:

 

 

 

Maryland's Small Business Development Center (SBDC) offers a variety of free services, including, but not limited to, workshops, trainings, business plan development, and marketing assistance, for Maryland's small business community. While the Western Maryland Regional Office is located on Frostburg State University's campus, there is a satellite office housed in Garrett College's Center for Entrepreneurship and Innovation. For additional information, contact Sandy Mehalko at (301) 687-1080, ext. 111 or (888) 237-9007, ext. 1.

 

The Maryland Department of Commerce offers an online Starting a Business guide to help you with the challenges of setting up your own small business, and the new Maryland Business Express website walks you through the process of starting, planning, managing, and growing your business. Commerce also has various funding programs and incentives, as well as training programs to help your business grow. Commerce also a Maryland Small Business & Entrepreneur Resource Guide and a Guide to Financial Incentives for Businesses available.

 

The Maryland Department of Labor, Licensing, and Regulation provides employment assistance, licensing information, and regulatory compliance information. It's Apprenticeship and Training Program can help you build yuour workforce and reduce turnover costs.
 

Maryland's Procurement Technical Assistance Program provides support in locating subcontracting opportunities, assisting with market research, and assisting with registrations and certifications.

 

Maryland's Office of Small Business Regulatory Assistance (OSBRA) helps Maryland's small business owners find timely and effective solutions to issues, so they can go about running their companies. OSBRA assists businesses with compliance to and adoption of regulations, such as the Maryland Healthy Working Families Act.  It also serves as a central clearinghouse of information for business assistance programs and services available in Maryland.

 

The Rural Maryland Council's website hosts RuralStat, an interactive web tool that tracks the general health of individual rural counties and regions in Maryland, as well as a Resource Center providing a wealth of information to those interested in the growth and success of rural Maryland.For additional information on state resources, click on the following links:

 

 

 

The Council of Development Financial Agencies (CDFA) houses a large collection of development finance resources and various online tools to support small business. 

 

 

The Small Business Administration (SBA) offers a multitude of free online workshops and seminars, funding programs, and counseling services to help you grow your business. Its Starting a Business Guide helps you plan, launch, manage, and grow your business, and its Contracting Guide provides information on how to find and win contracts with the federal government. Maryland's Baltimore District Office has a Small Business Resource Guide available. There are special services and programs for Veteran-Owned small businesses and Women-Owned small businesses. The SBA's Office of Advocacy has an extensive list of small business resources on its website.

 

The National Association of Women Business Owners is a great resource for women-owned businesses. 

 

SCORE is the nation's largest network of volunteer, expert business mentors, with more than 10,000 volunteers in 300 chapters. Through its partnership with the Small Business Administration, SCORE matches your business with a mentor who provides confidential business advice. SCORE also offers free business tools, templates, and tips, as well as inexpensive or free workshops.
 

For additional information on federal resources, click on the following links: