Business Resources

These organizations in our region provide resources to help you start and succeed in business in a multitude of ways. General information is posted below. For further information, follow the links provided.

Maryland Small Business Development Center (MDSBDC) Network

Since 1988, the seasoned staff of the Maryland Small Business Development Center (MDSBDC) Network has provided sound advice, counseling and support to entrepreneurs and small to mid-size businesses across the state. The Network, a partnership between the U.S. Small Business Administration and the University of Maryland College Park, links private enterprise, government, higher education and local economic development organizations to provide management, training and technical assistance to Maryland’s small businesses. As part of a national SBDC Network, the MDSBDC has rapid access to a number of information resources to deliver assistance that strengthens businesses, thereby contributing to the growth of local, state and national economies. The network has 6 regional offices, and more than 20 statewide locations where services are delivered.

SCORE® (Service Corps of Retired Executives)

SCORE® (Service Corps of Retired Executives) is a nonprofit association dedicated to entrepreneur education and the formation, growth and success of small business nationwide. It is a group of both working and retired executives and business owners who donate their time and expertise as business counselors. SCORE® was formed in 1964 and there are now about 10,500 volunteers in 389 Chapters throughout the country. SCORE® operates under the sponsorship of the U.S. Small Business Administration and in cooperation with a variety of local institutions. This year SCORE®, "Counselors to America's Small Business", celebrates 40 years of service to the small business community.

MontgomeryWorks

MontgomeryWorks offers a variety of job-search tools and services at our two workforce centers. We feature the Maryland Workforce Exchange, an internet-based program with everything you need to find a better job or advance your career-24 hours a day, seven days a week. It's a virtual one-stop network that connects you with workforce information, job leads, training opportunities, and a variety of programs and services to help you make the right choices for future success.

You can search for job openings in your community, create specialized resumes to apply for jobs online, learn about careers that are in high demand and find occupational training opportunities. For more information about these programs, call (301) 946-1806 or contact a resource specialist at the MontgomeryWorks location near you.

United States Small Business Association (SBA)

The United States Small Business Association (SBA) offers Programs and services to help you start, grow and succeed. The U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA) was created in 1953 as an independent agency of the federal government to aid, counsel, assist and protect the interests of small business concerns, to preserve free competitive enterprise and to maintain and strengthen the overall economy of our nation. We recognize that small business is critical to our economic recovery and strength, to building America's future, and to helping the United States compete in today's global marketplace. Although SBA has grown and evolved in the years since it was established in 1953, the bottom line mission remains the same. The SBA helps Americans start, build and grow businesses. Through an extensive network of field offices and partnerships with public and private organizations, SBA delivers its services to people throughout the United States, Puerto Rico, the U. S. Virgin Islands and Guam.

For more information about the SBA visit:
Overview & History of the SBA
List of SBA Administrators