MACo Associate Director Kevin Kinnally testified February 11, 2020, before the House Appropriations Committee in support HB 492 – Small Business Development Center Network Fund – Minimum Appropriation. The bill would boost the capacity of the Maryland Small Business Center (SBDC) to promote, inform, and support new and existing small businesses across the state.

SBDC offices are located regionally throughout Maryland and serve residents in every county by offering training, business consulting, and funding opportunities for new and existing small businesses. Local economic growth programs like those offered by the SBDCs help businesses grow where they are needed, create jobs, and increases salaries, expanding the tax base both locally and statewide.

From the MACo Testimony:

The Maryland SBDC links private enterprise, government, higher education, and local economic development organizations to provide high-quality training, confidential consulting, and market and industry research to Maryland’s small businesses.

Strengthening Maryland’s small businesses contributes directly to the growth of local, state, and national economies. This in turn creates jobs, contributes to enhancing quality of life, and expands the local tax base – enabling counties to better provide core services for Maryland families and businesses.

Follow MACo’s advocacy efforts during the 2020 legislative session on MACo’s Legislative Tracking Database.