Girlkin Lashes Opens at National Harbor
 
With the local economy rebounding, personal service salons are opening and thriving all over the County. The Business Development Section (BDS) recently assisted GIRLKIN Lashes with the permitting and licensing process. GIRLKIN, which stands for “Gainful Influential Relentless Ladies Keeping in Network,” is located at National Harbor. The company specializes in spa services, including custom-made natural lashes and brows, manicures, pedicures and facials.
GIRLKIN was started by franchisee Kim Fernandez. A Prince Georgian born and raised in Fort Washington, Fernandez always dreamed of owning a business in the County. “Becoming a business owner at National Harbor is so humbling and an amazing opportunity to give back to the community who raised me,” Fernandez said. “Growing up, I had very ambitious goals and to now own a business within five minutes of my hometown has brought me full circle to experience my dreams come true.” For more information, visit the GIRLKIN Lashes website.
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 The EDC and DPIE Collaboration
How do DPIE and the EDC work together? DPIE regularly collaborates with the EDC on business development opportunities. Many times, entrepreneurs are interested in opening businesses in the County, but have difficulty finding an appropriate location, connecting with funding sources and other business development issues. DPIE is the regulatory agency responsible for County government operations in permitting, business licensing, inspections and property code enforcement. The agency is tasked with ensuring public safety and maintaining the aesthetic value of communities, which makes the County more attractive for residents and motivates businesses to locate here. The County also has an Economic Development Corporation (EDC), which provides support services, investment incentives and financial capital to attract, expand and retain businesses. The EDC will assist with those tasks. When the business owners need to know what regulatory processes exist before they can open, the EDC will refer them to DPIE. This bi-agency collaboration benefits County businesses.
The EDC has a team skilled in accounting and finance, marketing and communications, business and commercial development, along with international and small business services, etc. The EDC provides a variety of business services including the Innovation Station Incubator, which features turn-key office suites, virtual and collaborative co-working space; Pathways to Procurement, a series of best-practice seminars designed to educate and empower business owners; SCORE counseling, which includes free confidential business mentoring and bid opportunities and helps business to expand through local, state and federal contracting opportunities. They also assist with site selection and maintain a list of properties suitable for a variety of needs and business categories.
In addition, the EDC provides and administers financial incentives such as the Economic Development Incentive (EDI) fund, a $50 million fund aimed at helping to stimulate job growth, retain current jobs and businesses, and attract new businesses; Enterprise Zones, which encompass approximately 8,492 acres of property and provide state and local incentives and assistance to encourage the expansion of existing businesses and attract new business activity and jobs; and Opportunity Zones, a community development program established by Congress in 2017 to encourage long-term investments in low-income urban and rural communities nationwide. The EDC also provides several tax incentives.
To learn more about the EDC, its programs and an opportunity for a business consultation, visit the EDC website. Also visit our BDS webpage to learn more about how we can help you open your business.
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Identifying the Necessary Documents to Apply for a Building Permit or Use and Occupancy Permit
Documentation needed to apply for permits is available in the Permits section of DPIE's website. Click on Permits in the navigation bar on the left side of the main page. You will find additional details for both commercial permit types and residential permit types in the navigation bar. For additional information, contact Permits at 301-636-2050, ext. 5.
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Changes in Electrical Licensing
As of July 1, 2021, DPIE is no longer issuing licenses for Master Electrician Limited and Electrical Contractors Limited. Electricians who need to apply for future electrical permits will need to provide proof of a valid State of Maryland Master Electricians license, a driver’s license, a letter of good standing and the Electronic Signature Acknowledgement Form found on the DPIE website.
 Business Development Section
 ICYMI
Over the last year, the BDS has conducted several webinars and prepared PowerPoint presentations for the business community on a variety of DPIE processes. These include Building and Use and Occupancy Permits, Inspections, Special Events and Business Licensing, and more. Customers may access the BDS presentations here.
Funding Opportunities
 BGE Energizing Small Business Grant
BGE, in partnership with Hello Alice and Global Entrepreneurship Network, has pledged $15 million for Maryland small businesses to assist with COVID-19 relief and recovery. Eligible businesses must be in BGE’s service area in order to apply for the $20,000 grant. For more information, visit bgehelloalice.
Maryland Financial Incentives for Businesses
A variety of financial programs are available from the State, including grants, loans and other funds for job creation, agriculture, small businesses and veteran-owned businesses. For more information, visit the Maryland Financial Incentives for Business website.
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Economic Development Incentive (EDI) Fund
The Prince George’s County Economic Development Corporation (EDC) sponsors an Economic Development Incentive (EDI) Fund for expansion of the County’s commercial tax base, job retention and attraction, support for small and local businesses, promotion of development and redevelopment opportunities, as well as transit-oriented development. For more information, visit the Economic Development Corporation website.
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PFC Black Chamber Open Door Fund
The People for Change Coalition (PFC) Black Chamber has announced the COVID-19 Open-Door Fund, which provides grants to small businesses in Prince George’s County. The fund provides between $1,000 to $3,000 on a rolling basis to businesses that have been established since 2019. Click the Open Door Fund link for details.
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Rural and Underserved Business Recovery from Impact of COVID-19 (RUBRIC)
The RUBRIC program provides economic relief to rural and economically-disadvantaged businesses. The program focuses on recently-opened tech companies that have been severely impacted by the COVID-19 pandemic. For more information, click State Emergency Funding Administered by TEDCO.
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