Making History

History was made in Annapolis when Wes Moore was sworn in as Maryland's first African American governor and Aruna Miller took the oath of office as our first Asian Indian American Lt. Governor on January 18, 2023. During his inaugural address on the steps of the Maryland State House, Governor Moore said this is an opportunity to lead with love, create with compassion, and fight fearlessly to build a state that leaves no one behind. During his first week in office, he released his preliminary FY 2024 Budget Plan, created the Office of Civic and Service Innovation, chaired his first Board of Public Works meeting, and continued filling cabinet appointments. We look forward to working with Governor Moore and Lt. Governor Miller to take on the challenges facing the great State of Maryland. Let's get to work!

The Office of Governor Wes Moore

For Your Information

Celebrating Black History Month

February is Black History Month. The story of this annual celebration began in 1915, half a century after the Thirteenth Amendment abolished slavery in the United States. It progressed through 1976 when President Gerald Ford officially designated February as Black History Month. Since 1976, every American president has done the same and endorsed a specific theme. In 2023, the theme "Black Resistance," explores how African Americans have resisted historic and ongoing oppression. Marylanders have played an important role in holding America accountable to its promises of freedom, liberty, and justice for all. Check out the link below that highlights these civil rights heroes. You can celebrate Black History Month with partners such as the Library of Congress, National Endowment for the Humanities, National Gallery of Art, and the Smithsonian Institution. Visit the Black History Month webpage for a calendar of events. 

23 Civil Rights Heroes From Maryland You Need to Know
Black History Month Webpage

Maryland General Assembly 

The 445th session of the Maryland General Assembly is underway in Annapolis. It is a bicameral body comprised of an upper chamber (Maryland State Senate) and a lower chamber (Maryland House of Delegates). The men and women elected to serve in the legislature will consider more than 2,300 pieces of legislation as well as the state's annual budged during the 90 day session that ends on April 10th. The legislative process works best when all stakeholders are engaged. Use the link below and visit the Maryland General Assembly webpage to learn more about the legislative process, identify your representatives, track legislation, or watch livestream activities in both chambers throughout the legislative session. 

Maryland General Assembly

Offshore Wind Partnering Forum

Maryland is hosting the International Offshore Wind Partnering Forum (IPF) from March 28-30, 2023 at the Baltimore Convention Center. Hosted by the Business Network for Offshore Wind, this 3-day event connects global leaders and businesses of all sizes across the supply chain. Inclusion is built into Maryland's offshore wind program, and minority-owned businesses are encouraged to seek opportunities in this new industry. IPF 2023 offers unparalleled networking opportunities and will provide attendees with breaking updates on the offshore wind's rapid expansion. Scholarships are available to qualified businesses. The schedule of events includes the Central Atlantic Supplier Day on March 28 at the Reginald F. Lewis Museum in Baltimore. This supply chain event connects companies to business opportunities throughout the Central Atlantic region. 

IPF 2023
IPF Scholarship Information 
Central Atlantic Supplier Day

Networking & Training Events

T.I.P.S. Webinar Series

Entrepreneurs should never stop learning! Join us for the T.I.P.S. Webinar Series in February. Our Training and Insights for Procurement Success webinar series can help you improve core competencies and gain an insightful understanding of the state's procurement processes. There is no cost to participate, just register in advance to receive the participation link.  

• February 21, 2023 @ 10 a.m.
  Navigating eMaryland Marketplace Advantage (eMMA)
• February 23, 2023 @ 10 a.m.
  Prime Contracting in Maryland's Small Business Reserve (SBR) Program

Classes are offered every month. Visit the T.I.P.S. Webinar Series webpage to download the slide deck of last month's classes or check out our YouTube Playlist to view any of the recorded sessions over the past year.

T.I.P.S. Webinar Series
T.I.P.S. Webinar Series Playlist

Events Calendar

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

02/02/2023 - Resources for Veteran-Owned Small Businesses
02/03/2023 - Small Biz Resource Connections: SBDC Southern Maryland Region
02/07/2023 - Networking for Government Contractors
02/07/2023 - MBE Application Assistance Workshop
02/09/2023 - Navigating Non-Disclosure & Teaming Agreements
02/15/2023 - Managing Your Company Finances Utilizing the Indirect Rate Cost Methodology
02/21/2023 - Business Resilience
02/21/2023 - T.I.P.S. Webinar Series: Navigating eMaryland Marketplace Advantage (eMMA)
02/23/2023 - T.I.P.S. Webinar Series: Prime Contracting in Maryland's Small Business Reserve (SBR) Program
02/23/2023 - Celebrating Black History Month: How to Thrive as a Black Owned Business

Check out the 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 join our social media community and follow us on Facebook and Twitter. 

Facebook
Twitter