Message from Special Secretary Rhee

Access to capital is one of the biggest challenges to any small business. During a worldwide pandemic, accessing capital to sustain a business, much less start one, was exacerbated. For far too many business owners, the relief programs made available to businesses impacted by COVID-19 were not always accessible to entrepreneurs of color, a group that is anecdotally less likely to have well-established commercial banking relationships. Community Development Financial Institutions (CDFI) can help bridge that gap. CDFIs are certified by the U.S. Treasury Department, and their goal is to expand economic opportunities in underserved communities by providing access to financial products and services to local businesses. Maryland is home to 17 CDFI lenders, all of whom are eager to build relationships and coach you through the loan process. I think very highly of these institutions, and am excited to partner with the Maryland Small Business Development Center and the Maryland Department of Labor's Office of Small Business Regulatory Assistance to offer a webinar on this valuable small business resource. Please register to attend both sessions of this 2-part webinar in early October. It will be time well spent.

10/5/2021 @ 9:30 am - What is a CDFI & Lender Roundtable
10/7/2021 @ 9:30 am - Preparing Your Business Financing Package

Jimmy Rhee
Special Secretary

National Small Business Week

The 2021 National Small Business Week Summit will be held September 13-15 and you are cordially invited to attend. Hosted by the U.S. Small Business Administration and SCORE, this 3-day virtual event is free to all small business owners and entrepreneurs. It includes educational sessions on a variety of crucial small business topics, and resources from a broad range of industry-leading small business partners. The online virtual conference space is easy to navigate and will feature live interactive sessions and networking opportunities. Reserve your seat today. 

National Small Business Week Virtual Summit

New Training Course for Businesses Interested in Offshore Wind

The offshore wind industry is one of the fastest growing renewable energy industries and Maryland Energy Administration (MEA) wants to ensure local businesses have the tools and information they need to capitalize on this expanding market. It is partnering with the Business Network for Offshore Wind to provide an in-person learning course for Maryland-based businesses and individuals. Foundation 2 Blade is the industry’s leading offshore wind training program that offers a comprehensive overview of the industry through six modules that demystify the supply chain, spur innovation, and present a market entry path for a company. The modules of F2B are: Offshore Wind Overview, Offshore Wind Siting & Permitting, Construction & Installation, Operations & Maintenance, and How to Get Involved. The first training will be held October 6 - 8, and MEA has provided a grant to ensure Maryland businesses can participate in this valuable training program at a greatly reduced cost. Detailed information and the registration information is available using the link below, or you may contact Sam Salustro at sam@offshorewindus.org. 

Foundation 2 Blade Industry Training

31 MBEs Make the List!

Congratulations to the 138 Maryland firms to make the 2021 list of the fastest-growing private companies in the U.S. according to Inc.  In the midst of a pandemic, these 5,000 independent small businesses were resilient and flexible while experiencing unprecedented challenges. A special shout out to the 31 certified Minority Business Enterprise firms on Maryland's list! Check out the full list ranked by revenue, industry, and state. 

Inc. 5000 2021

Technical Training Classroom

We have two great topics for our September Technical Training Classroom webinars on Tuesday, September 28. Join us for the morning session at 10 am for "Writing a Business Plan to Access Capital and Maximize Growth" and 2 pm for "Subcontracting in Maryland's Minority Business Enterprise (MBE) Program." The webinars include interactive polls and a curated Q&A session. There is no cost to attend, but advance registration is required. Reserve your seat today. 

• 10 am - Writing a Business Plan to Access Capital and Maximize Growth
• 2 pm - Subcontracting in Maryland's Minority Business Enterprise (MBE) Program

Mark Your Calendar

Stay connected to the many opportunities for training, networking, and business development taking place across Maryland and on virtual platforms. Here is a highlight of some of the events coming up this month. 

09/02/2021 - Procurement Opportunities in Howard County
09/07/2021 - MBE Certification Application Assistance Workshop
09/09/2021 - Group Training for Potential Government Contractors: Strictly for Beginners
09/14/2021 - Tips for GSA Schedule Compliance and Success
09/16/2021 - Navigating eMaryland Marketplace Advantage (eMMA)
09/16/2021 - Greater Washington Hispanic Chamber of Commerce Business Expo 2021
09/20/2021 - Bi-County Business Roundtable
09/28/2021 - Writing a Business Plan to Access Capital & Maximize Growth
09/28/2021 - Subcontracting in the Minority Business Enterprise (MBE) Program

Check out our full listing of small business events
online at goMDsmallbiz.maryland.gov.

We Want You

We continually share information curated specifically for small, minority, women, and veteran-owned businesses on our social media platforms. We'll inspire you with our #MotivationMonday series and connect you to a broad range of small business resource organizations. We also share information about loan programs and funding opportunities as well as small business events and training programs. Please follow us on Facebook and Twitter. 

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