CCED: Business - Business Resources - Small Business Assistance

	Becoming A Vendor
	Business Resource Guide
	Business Tools for Tough Times
	Licensing Information
	Liquor Board
	Procurement
	Resources for Non-Profit
	Ribbon Cutting Info
	Small Business Assistance

The Maryland Small Business Development Center (SBDC) is a program of the University of Maryland Center for Applied Policy Studies, the United States Small Business Administration (SBA) and the Maryland Department of Business and Economic Development (DBED), the College of Southern Maryland and the Calvert County Board of County Commissioners. This Cooperative Agreement is partially funded by the U.S. Small Business Administration. The Southern Maryland SBDC is staffed with certified, professional business counselors who collaborate closely with local business leaders in the Southern Maryland region and the Calvert County Department of Economic Development to provide assistance to small business owners. Our Calvert County counselors, Maria Dorsett and Linda Craven, can provide free one-on-one counseling services for a variety of business needs:

Business plan development
Feasibility studies
Needs assessments
Structuring a business
Management issues
Strategic planning
Accounting systems
Business valuation
Market research/planning
Financial analysis and financial projections
Equity funding development
Management information systems

For more information or to set up an appointment, please e-mail Maria Dorsett at mdorsett@csmd.edu or Linda Craven at lcraven@csmd.edu or contact them at 301-866-1923 or 301-934-7580.

"Start Right for Success" Training Course

If you are thinking about starting a business, attend this course offered by the SBDC for a summary of the business information you need right now. This course will prepare you to effectively use SBDC's confidential one-on-one counseling to your best advantage. Evaluate your business concepts and identify the market potential of your products and/or services. Identify the best type of business organization to fit your idea. Determine your record keeping needs and learn how to create a financial plan. Begin working on a business plan and learn more about the different financing programs available to small businesses. Click here for the schedule of classes.

Small Business Training Network (SBTN)

The U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA) provides a virtual campus with online training targeting prospective and existing small business owners. Courses are offered on a variety of topics including starting a business, business planning, business management, financing and accounting, marketing and advertising, government contracting, small business retirement, e-commerce, international trade and Federal tax training. Visit www.sba.gov/services/training for more information.

Business.gov - The Official Business Link to the U.S. Government (including licensing and permitting information)

The U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA) in partnership with 21 other federal agencies has expanded the www.business.gov web site with resources and tools to help small businesses comply with federal government regulations. This site includes a tool to help businesses determine their license and permit requirements and provides a single source for obtaining federal, state and local permits and professional licenses for businesses; a "Feature Topics" section focusing on common business concerns; compliance guides; business data and statistics; federal forms; and more.

SME (small and medium enterprises) Toolkit - Build Your Business

IBM and the International Finance Corporation, the private-sector arm of the World Bank, offers an online toolkit for small and medium enterprises at www.smetoolkit.org now tailored to U.S. Businesses, particularly ones owned by women and minorities. The site's content is free and offered in several languages. Users can download forms and find articles on subjects including marketing, insurance and human resources. The site also features interactive tools, including financial calculators.

Small Business Disaster Preparedness Guide

The Small Business Administration have launched a disaster planning guide for small business owners. The 10-page guide provides information business owners need to develop an effective plan to protect customers and employees in the event of a disaster. The guide provides key disaster preparedness strategies to help small busineses identify potential hazards, create plans to remain in operation if the office is unusable, and understand the limitations of their insurance coverage. The guides are available online and at SBA field offices.