The Governor's Office of
Small, Minority & Women Business Affairs
invites you to reserve a space for our upcoming
T.I.P.S. Small Business Webinar Series
(Training & Insights for Procurement Success)
Subcontracting in Maryland's
MBE Program
Tuesday, March 26 , 2024
10 a.m. - 12 noon
Are you looking to expand your company's reach as a subcontractor? Participation in Maryland’s MBE Program offers a broad range of opportunities to perform as a subcontractor on state-funded contracts. During this session, we will provide a comprehensive look at the MBE rights and responsibilities in both the prime and subcontractor roles, examine best practices for navigating state procurement, and share insights on how to target your business development efforts within this competitive arena.
Who should attend? Small, minority, women, and veteran business owners and entrepreneurs who are ready and able to compete for subcontracting opportunities in the state contracting arena.
Your Instructor is Karen Reyes, MBE Compliance Manager, Governor's Office of Small, Minority & Women Business Affairs.
All attendees are automatically entered into a random drawing to win a
SMALL BIZ SPOTLIGHT in an upcoming edition of our monthly online
newsletter which is distributed to over 30,000 stakeholders.
You must attend the webinar in order to win.
Navigating eMaryland Marketplace
Advantage (eMMA)
Thursday, March 28, 2024
10 a.m. - 12 noon
What exactly is eMaryland Marketplace Advantage (eMMA)? Opportunities to do business with the State of Maryland are advertised on eMaryland Marketplace Advantage (eMMA), our procurement platform. Vendors who register (for free) on the system automatically receive solicitation notices and can obtain detailed information of contracting opportunities. They can also, submit bids, and obtain bid results. Join us for an in-depth look at how to navigate this valuable tool and make it work for your company.
Who should attend? Small, minority, women, and veteran business owners who want to learn more about navigating the state's e-procurement platform and gain a better understanding of how to identify procurement opportunities.
Your instructor is Shae Cronin, Instructional Programs Administrator, Office of State Procurement with the Maryland Department of General Services.
What you need to know:
There is no cost to attend.
Advance registration is required. Attendees receive a unique link to join the event.
This session will be recorded; by registering, you are consenting to be recorded.
All attendees will be in listen mode only (your camera will be off and your mic is muted).
A Q&A session will be conducted following the presentation
Attendees of this meeting should be aware that there are known and potential privacy and confidentiality issues with the Zoom System (Cloud Service, Web application, and/or Application). While every effort has been made to ensure the security of this meeting, factors out of the State’s control introduce risk. Participants should evaluate the risk associated with the application and platform and determine if the risks preclude the use of the service. The State provides no warranty regarding the security of the application, confidentiality of the information discussed, or the privacy of information collected by the application and/or service. Security events impacting the confidentiality, integrity, or availability of a meeting (e.g., ZoomBombing) must be reported to the State Security Operations Center (soc.info@maryland.gov).
Hosted by the Governor's Office of Small, Minority & Women Business Affairs
Interested in learning about business tax resources in the State of Maryland?
It is the responsibility of the Comptroller's Office of Maryland to provide the very latest tax and financial information to residents and business owners. The Comptroller of Maryland and the entire agency stand at the ready to serve the taxpayers, vendors, and tax professionals of Maryland.
The discussion will be focused on the new self-service portal, Maryland Tax Connect, an online platform that makes it possible for Marylander taxpayers to file and pay their state taxes more easily and more securely, as well as interact with the Comptroller’s office in a variety of ways. The portal is designed to allow taxpayers to complete several simple and vital functions themselves, accessible from either a mobile device or on desktop. To name a few, you can make payments online, register your business, apply for or renew business licenses, and apply for sales and use tax exemption certificates.
Join us and learn more about how the Comptroller's Office can support your business.
What you need to know:
This is a quick overview; we promise to keep it under 1 hour.
There is no cost to attend; advance registration is required.
This session will be recorded; by registering, you are consenting to be recorded.
Upon receiving a registration confirmation, you will be given a unique link to join the event.
You will receive all of the information needed to connect with our guest (s) following the session.
Attendees of this meeting should be aware that there are known and potential privacy and confidentiality issues with the Zoom System (Cloud Service, Web application, and/or Application). While every effort has been made to ensure the security of this meeting, factors out of the State’s control introduce risk. Participants should evaluate the risk associated with the application and platform and determine if the risks preclude the use of the service. The State provides no warranty regarding the security of the application, confidentiality of the information discussed, or the privacy of information collected by the application and/or service. Security events impacting the confidentiality, integrity, or availability of a meeting (e.g., ZoomBombing) must be reported to the State Security Operations Center (soc.info@maryland.gov).
Topic:
Small Business Resources
Date:
April 5, 2024 10:00 a.m.
Guests:
Laura Gutierrez
Small Business and Community Development Director
Mission:
We connect the small
business community to
greater economic opportunities, while implementing and monitoring small, minority, women, and veteran procurement programs across 70 state agencies.
The State of Maryland has entered into a contract with MGT Consulting Group, LLC (MGT) to conduct a statutorily required Disparity Study (“the Study”) for its minority- and women-owned business enterprise programs. Maryland periodically undertakes these studies to determine whether continued race-based business disparities exist in our state that thereby warrant our use of race-conscious contracting preference programs. A workgroup comprised of members of Maryland Department of Transportation, Office of Attorney General and the Governor’s Office of Small, Minority & Women’s Business Affairs is working to get the study across the finish line.
Tell your leaders what is like to own a business as a minority, take the 10-minute survey by Sunday, March 31st. To take the survey click here: https://stateofmddisparitystudy.com/
Request for Qualifications, Affirmations and Bids for Janitorial Services
The Parking Authority of Baltimore City (PABC) is issuing this request for qualifications, affirmations, and bids (“RFB”) seeking competitive bids from interested parties their administrative office located at 211 N. Paca Street, Baltimore, MD 21201.
Bids must be received at the PABC offices no later than 3:00 p.m. on Monday, April 29, 2024.
All responses must be sealed and have “PABC Janitorial Services” clearly marked on the outside of the package.
Mail or Hand Deliver To:
Parking Authority of Baltimore City
Attn: Contract Administrator – RFB No: HR-03-2024
211 N. Paca Street
Baltimore, MD 21201
Governor Wes Moore Announces $10 Million for Small Business Grants
Governor Wes Moore announced $10 million for small business and community development grants through the Maryland Department of Housing and Community Development’s Project Restore 2.0 and Business Boost grant programs.
The funding will activate vacant spaces in business corridors, support small businesses with start-up or expansion funds, create jobs, and increase local economic activity.
Project Restore 2.0 will provide $8 million to designated Main Streets, Arts and Entertainment Districts, and other economic development organizations in a designated Sustainable Community.
Grants of up to $300,000 per applicant will go to organizations that have identified priority vacant storefronts or buildings in local business districts. Those organizations would then sub-grant the funding to businesses for rental assistance, renovation and equipment to activate those vacant spaces.
Business Boost’s first round of grant funding will be $2 million directly awarded to eligible small business owners in amounts between $20,000 and $50,000. The businesses have to be new or expanding and located in designated Sustainable Communities.
Applications will be accepted through Wednesday, April 24th.
Greater Baltimore Black Chamber of Commerce (GBBCC) Gets New Resource to Boost Opportunities for Local Underserved Entrepreneurs
Lendistry, in partnership with the U.S. Black Chambers, Inc. (USBC) unveiled a groundbreaking initiative aimed at leveling the financial playing field for black, women, and veteran-owned small businesses. This venture marks a significant stride in equipping these enterprises with much-needed access to capital, specially crafted to meet their distinct needs and goals. As part of the national network of local black community serving chambers, the Greater Baltimore Black Chamber of Commerce (GBBCC) will gain access to this new resource to assist the local underserved entrepreneurs that they serve.
This new USBC Lending Portal, powered by Lendistry, will emerge as a crucial resource for underserved small businesses in the Greater Baltimore Metropolitan area. Key advantages of the USBC Lending Portal Powered by Lendistry include:
Rapid financing availability, with funds accessible in as little as five days
Extended loan terms of up to 10 years
Competitive, market-friendly interest rates
Loan amounts ranging from $25,000 to $5 million.
For further details and to access the USBC Lending Portal Powered by Lendistry, visit https://usblackchambers.org/lendistry/. Use the Chambers Lending Portal to Select GBBCC.
Free Staff Training Opportunity from Credit Builders Alliance
Credit Builders Alliance has a limited, free opportunity to take their “Credit as an Asset” and “Credit as an Asset: Small Business” training courses online and on-demand. That means you take the take course online at your own pace and on your own schedule. This is a training for non-profit organizations that are seeking to work with clients on credit buildings, with a particular focus on credit building for diverse entrepreneurs.
With the support of Kaiser Permanente, this is a first come, first serve opportunity offered at no cost (up to a $525 value) to you. There are a limited number of spots so register today and use code kp25-vpcod
Join fellow coaches, counselors, and lenders in building your credit knowledge from one of these on-demand trainings options:
Deadline for nominations: Friday, May 24th. The event will be held on Thursday, August 1st.
2024 Annual Greater Washington Hispanic Chamber of Commerce (GWHCC) Business Expo Thursday, March 28, 2024 9:00 a.m. – 5:00 p.m. Walter E. Washington Convention Center, Ballrooms A, B and C
801 Mount Vernon Place, NW, Washington, DC 20001
Exhibitor and sponsorship opportunities are available!
Lunch & Learn: How to Do Business with the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) Webinar hosted by U.S. Small Business Administration Tuesday, April 2, 2024 12:00 p.m. – 1:30 p.m.
This webinar will give attendees a basic understanding of FBI’s commitment to encouraging and assisting small businesses seeking contracts with the department. Learn how to get acquainted with the procurement requirements and practices to do business with the largest law firm in the nation.
Controlling the Information Narrative About Your Business Webinar hosted by Washington Metropolitan Area Transit Authority (WMATA) Thursday, April 4, 2024 9:00 a.m. – 11:00 a.m.
Learn what small business information is, why it matters for your business, and how you can use it to your advantage. This webinar will discuss how data companies are collecting information about your business, why it is frequently wrong or out of date, and how it affects your access to things like small business loans, credit cards, and insurance.
Filing Season 2024 Information, Resources and More! Webinar Conducted by Internal Revenue Service (IRS)– Virtual Event hosted by Washington Metropolitan Area Transit Authority (WMATA) Tuesday, April 9, 2024 10:00 a.m. – 11:00 a.m.
This webinar will consist of the latest updates on 1040 tax filling, small businesses as well as self-employed individuals. Find out what you need to know to make tax filing easier in 2024. Information on tax credits, resources, deductions and finding help using the Interactive Tax Assistant. This tool will assist in determining if you eligible are for tax credits and deductions, including Earned Income Tax Credits and Child Tax Credits. Also resources for businesses, such as Choosing a Tax Preparer, Employee Retention Credit, Business Online Account and Business Data Security.
State of Downtown Breakfast
Hosted by Downtown Partnership of Baltimore and Presented by
Gallagher, Evelius & Jones
Wednesday, April 10, 2024
8:00 a.m. – 10:00 a.m.
Renaissance Baltimore Harborplace Hotel
202 E. Pratt Street, Baltimore, MD 21202
The breakfast will mark the release of Downtown Partnership of Baltimore’s State of Downtown Report.
Keynote Speaker: Tracy Hadden Loh, Fellow, The Brooking Institution
Special guests Governor Wes Moore and Mayor Brandon M. Scott.
13th Celebrating Women Who Move The Nation Awards Breakfast hosted by Conference of Minority Transportation Officials (COMTO) Wednesday, April 10, 2024 8:00 a.m. – 10:00 a.m. Smithsonian American Art Museum and National Portrait Gallery 8th Street NW & G St NW, Washington, DC 20001
The ceremony will recognize the outstanding contributions of women leading and advancing America’s transportation industry.
Central Maryland Chamber’s Awards GalaPresented by
Live! Casino & Hotel Maryland Monday, April 15, 2024
6:00 p.m. - 9:00 p.m. Live! Casino & Hotel, 7002 Arundel Mills Circle, Suite 777 Hanover, MD 21076
The awards gala will honor the outstanding accomplishments of the Central Maryland Region's most dedicated civil servants and chamber members and volunteers.
Face-Time with Primes hosted by Baltimore City Department of Public Works (DPW) Office of Boards and Commissions Tuesday, April 16, 2024 6:00 p.m. – 8:00 p.m. B&O Railroad Museum, 901 W Pratt Street, Baltimore, MD 21223
Join DPW and small businesses to connect with City and State agencies, prime consultants and contractors for opportunities.
Meet the Primes – Connecting Small Business to Opportunities In Person Event hosted by Washington Metropolitan Area Transit Authority (WMATA) Tuesday, April 30, 2024 10:00 a.m. – 12:00 noon Metro Building at New Carrollton, Lobby Conference Room
4100 Garden City Drive, Hyattsville, MD 20785
Connect with WMATA’s prime contractors for networking and collaboration. Explore opportunities, share insights, and be a part of the synergy driving innovation within the small business community.
Greater Baltimore Black Chamber of Commerce is a 501(c) 6 and 501(c) 3 non-profit organization. 1325 Bedford Avenue, Suite 5941; Pikesville, MD 21282-7510