To help minority-owned and small businesses thrive in Harford County, the Office of Community & Economic Development will host a resource day on Tuesday, February 25, 2020 in Bel Air. This second annual event under the administration of County Executive Barry Glassman will bring together 25 federal, state, local, and nonprofit organizations providing free assistance for small companies and resources specific to minority and women-owned businesses. Minority & Small Business Resource Day is co-sponsored by the Harford County Chamber of Commerce and the Harford County Caucus of African-American Leaders.
The event, from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. at the Chesapeake Center at Harford Community College, 401 Thomas Run Road in Bel Air, will feature a panel of local minority business owners, and peer networking opportunities with established small businesses and representatives from local and state agencies. Lunch will be provided. Registration is required.
Services offered at the Resource Day include procurement and contracting opportunities, business plan writing assistance, marketing plan help, financial projections, government funding and incentives, apprenticeship programs, workforce development, employee transit assistance and veteran business assistance.
During the morning session, each resource partner will give a “5 in 5” presentation – five slides in five minutes – about what assistance they are able to provide. Participating are the Governor’s Office of Minority, Women and Small Business Affairs; MD Office of Minority Business Enterprise; Procurement Technical Assistance Center; SCORE (Service Corp. Of Retired Executives); DefTech (Defense Technology Commercialization Center); Maryland Department of Commerce; U.S. Small Business Administration; Meridian Management Group (VLT, MSBDFA state programming); Harford County Office of Community & Economic Development; Harford County Chamber of Commerce; EXIM Bank minority business programs; and Harford Transit.
The afternoon will include a panel discussion with existing small-business owners to discuss what resources have worked for them, how they approached different aspects of their business and problem-solving alternatives.
An exhibition hall will include information from the previous presenters as well as the Susquehanna Workforce Network, Maryland Relay, Goldman Sachs 10,000 Small Businesses, Maryland Department of Labor, Town of Bel Air/Downtown Alliance, City of Aberdeen/Main Street Alliance, Seedco, Commuter Choice of Maryland, Department of General Services, Harford County Caucus of African American Leaders and APG Office of Small Business Programs.
To register, contact Traves White, tnwhite@harfordcountymd.gov, 410-638-3059 or bit.ly/MSBRD.
