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Small Biz Bulletin - March 2025

Message from Special Secretary Martinez

Spec. Sec Maria Martinez

The Power of the Hankerchief: A Legacy of Strength in Business and Life

As entrepreneurs, we navigate a path filled with triumphs and trials, bold leaps forward and moments of uncertainty. Through it all, we lean on our experiences, our communities, and the lessons passed down to us. This Women’s History month, I want to share a personal story. For me, one of the greatest gifts from the generations before me has been a simple yet powerful symbol—the handkerchief.

Passed down through my family, the handkerchief has always been more than just fabric. It is a touchstone, a source of strength, and a reminder that no matter what life brings, I am not alone. My mother gifted me my first handkerchief as a young girl, just as her mother had done before her. At the time, I thought it was simply an accessory, something to carry on special occasions. But as I grew, I learned its true meaning.

Historically, both men and women carried handkerchiefs—not just as a practical item but as a symbol of care, strength, and connection. In my family, the tradition was not only to carry one but to gift them as a token of support, encouragement, and solidarity. Whether tucked into a suit pocket or a sleeve, the handkerchief has long been a quiet yet powerful companion in life’s most pivotal moments.

As a business owner, this tradition grounded me through the ebbs and flows of entrepreneurship. The handkerchief was with me through success and setbacks, celebrations and challenges, growth and reinvention. In moments of doubt, when decisions were heavy and obstacles felt insurmountable, I would hold it tightly in my hand—just as the women and men before me had done. It served as a profound reminder of resilience, adaptability, and the unwavering support of those who came before me.

Every entrepreneur has something they turn to for strength. Some find it in a mentor’s advice, a well-worn notebook filled with ideas, or the encouraging words of a friend. For me, it is the legacy of my ancestors, woven into the fabric of a handkerchief, reminding me that I carry their wisdom, courage, and determination with me always.

As we celebrate Women’s History Month, let us honor the traditions, lessons, and legacies that shape us—not just in business, but in life. May we uplift and support one another, recognize our collective strength, and continue to create a future where all entrepreneurs thrive.

As my beloved mother would say, “el poder del pañuelo”—the power of the handkerchief—is for everyone. And its strength lives within us all.

Sincerely,

Maria Martinez

Special Secretary
Women in Business

Empowering Women Entrepreneurs: Resources for Success in Maryland

For women entrepreneurs, resources and networks are available and tailored to suit their needs. Maryland boasts several organizations dedicated to empowering women in business, including the Maryland Women's Business Center, the Maryland Capital Enterprises Women's Business Center, and the Baltimore Metropolitan Women's Business Center. These centers offer free services ranging from business planning to market research, helping women grow and sustain your businesses.
SDAT Filing Reminder

Maintain Your "Good Standing" 

All Maryland domestic and foreign business entities registered in Maryland must file an annual report or request an extension by April 15 to maintain their "good standing" status with the State Department of Assessments and Taxation. Businesses with less than $20,000 in business personal property are no longer required to report personal property with their annual report for the 2025 filing. The quickest and easiest way to submit business filings is through the department's award-winning Maryland Business Express site. Entities that do not meet the deadline to file risk falling out of "good standing" status and may enter "forfeited" status soon thereafter. 

Maryland Business Express

To receive timely reminders to file important documents and tax credit applications,
sign up for the department's email distribution list. 
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Maryland Soft Landing Exchange Program

The Maryland Soft Landing Exchange program offers local businesses the chance to expand into international markets with support from strategic partners across the globe. Participants gain access to facilities, resources, and expert advisors while testing new markets at an affordable rate. Current partners include Cicada Innovations (Australia), EuraTechnologies (France), Guinness Enterprise Centre (Ireland), and more. Companies may also qualify for up to $10,000 in funding to help cover costs like travel and program participation. Learn more about the program at Maryland Soft Landing Exchange.

Words of Advice from the MBE Ombudsman

Knowledge is power

By Nichelle Johnson

As a small, minority- or women-owned business operating in the state contracting arena, it’s crucial to make the most of the time you or your staff dedicate to business development activities. Although this aspect of your business planning is vital, it can often be time-consuming and challenging if you’re unsure where to begin. Fortunately, the state of Maryland offers a plethora of resources aimed at educating potential vendors on various topics, including how state procurement functions, how to optimize state procurement programs, how to expand your network, how to discover opportunities, how to access funding, and additional resources to support the growth and scaling of your business.

There are several locations where businesses can find these valuable resources. The Governor’s Office of Small, Minority & Women Business Affairs website, includes resources like our T.I.P.S. Webinar Series, our calendar of events, and Public Data Mining Strategies. Additionally, vendors can visit the Office of State Procurement’s website and the Maryland Procurement Academy to learn more about state procurement and how to use the state’s eProcurement platform, eMaryland Marketplace Advantage (eMMA). Businesses can visit the Department of Housing and Community Development’s website and the Department of Commerce’s website to learn more about business lending and grant opportunities, and tax incentives. These are just a few of the available resources.

If you are just getting started or would like help navigating these resources, contact the MBE Ombudsman unit for a one-on-one technical assistance appointment.

Visit the MBE Ombudsman webpage to learn more the unit or make an appointment.

Learning & Networking Opportunities

New RSG Grafix Main Draft 2024

Ready, Set, GROW! Procurement Connections Workshop

Are you interested in contracting opportunities with state & local government agencies? Join us for the Ready, Set, GROW! Procurement Connections Workshop on Thursday, March 20th at Horseshoe Casino-Baltimore. You'll gain insights on our small, minority, women, and veteran procurement programs and strategies to identify which agencies and departments buy what you sell. Come out and meet buyers not only from state agencies, but the City of Baltimore purchasing units at this live event. You'll learn the common products and services each unit purchases, what they are looking to buy right now, and what's in the pipeline. Stick around for the open networking session to meet the buyers. Registration for this event is open, so register today. 

Ready, Set, GROW! Procurement Connections Workshop
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T.I.P.S. Small Business Webinar Series

Improve core competencies and gain an insightful understanding of the state's procurement by attending our T.I.P.S. (Training and Insights for Procurement Success) Small Business Webinar Series. We offer two free classes every month on topics carefully curated to help you learn to compete with confidence. If you want to do business with the State of Maryland, our T.I.P.S. webinar series is a must. There is no cost to participate, just register in advance to receive the participation link.  
VSBE and SBR Certification Workshop Series

Maryland's VSBE/SBR Certification Workshop Series

Join us for an informative Certification Workshop hosted in collaboration with Maryland Department of Transportation's (MDOT) Office of Small and Minority Business Policy. This workshop is designed to assist vendors seeking certification or re-certification for the Small Business Reserve (SBR) Program and the Veteran-Owned Small Business Enterprise (VSBE) Program. In addition, you will get a brief overview of the Minority Business Enterprise (MBE) Program and the process for certification. There will also be an opportunity to connect with our partners from Anne Arundel Economic Development Corporation and Anne Arundel County's Procurement Access and Vendor Equity (PAVE) Program.
See You Soon

Meet Our Team at These Great Events

Our team is actively participating in events throughout Maryland. You'll find us at these events in March. Click on the links to get all the details and join us!

Small Business Events Calendar

Stay connected to the many opportunities for training, networking, and business development that are taking place across Maryland and on virtual platforms. These free and low-cost events can help you build connections and develop new skills. Check out our curated list of small business events online at goMDsmallbiz.maryland.gov.

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Disparity Study
Follow Us

Let's Get Connected! The Governor's Office of Small, Minority & Women Business Affairs continually shares information curated specifically for small, minority, women, and veteran-owned businesses on our social media channels. We'll inspire you with our #MotivationMonday series and connect you to a broad range of small business resources, events, and training programs. Please join our social media community and follow us on Facebook, LinkedIn, and X. 

Leave No One Behind! As a unit of the Executive Department, the Governor's Office of Small, Minority & Women Business Affairs connects members of the small, minority, women, and veteran business communities to greater economic opportunities. Learn more by visiting our website at goMDsmallbiz.maryland.gov and connect with us on Facebook, LinkedIn, and X (formerly Twitter).

FORBES: Entrepreneurship is Core to Civil Rights: A Conversation With National Urban League President And CEO Marc H. Morial

By: Rhett Buttle



  • Founded in 1910, the National Urban League (NUL) now has over 90 affiliates serving 300 communities in 36 states and Washington, D.C., that are dedicated to helping African-Americans and others in underserved communities achieve their highest true social parity, economic self-reliance, power, and civil rights. NUL supports small business & entrepreneurship among historically underserved communities as a key part of their agenda. 


Read the full article here.



The Senate Committee on Small Business and Entrepreneurship Hearing on:

“Improving Access to Capital in Underserved Communities: The Community Advantage Program, Microloans, and other SBA Initiatives”

(Recording)

Witnesses:

• Mr. Jon Gaines, Vice President, Business Services & Finance, Wisconsin Women’s Business Initiative Corporation

• Mr. Nick Schwellenbach, Senior Investigator, Project on Government Oversight

• Mr. Robert Villarreal, Chief External Affairs Officer, Momentus Capital-CDC Small Business Finance

• Ms. Annemarie Murphy, Executive Vice President, President of SBA Lending, First Bank of the Lake

Summary: The Senate Committee on Small Business and Entrepreneurship held a hearing on Improving Access to Capital in Underserved Communities: The Community Advantage Program, Microloans, and other SBA Initiatives. Members and witnesses discussed the need for better oversight and support of SBA lending programs to better serve entrepreneurs in underserved communities. The hearing demonstrated bipartisan support for increasing the SBA’s resources to meet the needs of entrepreneurs, however, both parties agree that the SBA must take care to implement proper guardrails to prevent fraud, and bias in lending, and to conduct proper oversight of its lenders. Members also discussed the SBA’s recent proposal to lift the moratorium on the Small Business Lending Company (SBLC) program, and while many were in support of the rule, Members and witnesses stressed a need to ensure fintech lenders are held to the same standards as other SBA lenders if they were to gain SBLC licenses.


Opening Statements


Chairman Ben Cardin (D-MD): Access to capital is the lifeblood of any business but is even more critical for small businesses. Small businesses in underserved communities have lacked access to capital at disproportionate rates. While large banks approved 60% of loans sought by white borrowers, businesses of color faced acceptance rates of between 29%-50% depending on their racial identity. The SBA 7(a) loan program remains a widely recognized tool to increase access to capital for entrepreneurs. This year the SBA approved over 47,000 7(a) loans and many of these borrowers would be unable to access capital elsewhere. However, of those 7(a) loans, only 4% went to Black business owners and 15% went to women. The Community Advantage (CA) program can bridge this gap and we must make it permanent; I have introduced legislation to do so and have high hopes for the legislation in the next Congress. Compared to 7(a), Black business owners received 20% of CA loans and women received 32%. The CA program therefore does an excellent job of addressing the credit gap and is a key tool to providing capital access for entrepreneurs who need it most. The SBA microloan program also provides credit to underbanked entrepreneurs. Microloan borrowers have the most difficult time accessing capital elsewhere and reported they were unable to find financing from traditional banks had it not been for a CA lender. I support SBA’s efforts to level the playing field for small businesses through recent rulemaking initiatives, however guardrails are essential in these programs to protect borrowers and lenders in the program; we need to ensure the SBA’s programs are helping small businesses as intended.


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Become a USBC Member

Watch Now! USBC 2022 Policy Breakfast During Congressional Black Caucus Week
2022 USBC Policy Breakfast - Congressional Black Caucus Week

On Tuesday, U.S. Black Chambers, Inc. kicked off Congressional Black Caucus week with its annual policy breakfast. The 2022 USBC Policy Brunch was very insightful and informative with special remarks from Congresswoman Stacey Plaskett, Senator Cory Booker, Congressman Emanuel Clever II, and USBC Chairman of the Board Charles O'Neal. 

USBC President & CEO Ron Busby Sr. delivered his President Address on the BLACKprint - a set of principles that guide the organization's policy agenda.

Guests enjoyed conversations on The Future of Digital Currency with Cleve Mesidor and The New Black Commerce moderated by Howard Jean (CEO Black Meta Agency), Erin Cohee (VP Digital Innovation, OneUnited Bank), Courtney Robinson (Global Head of Financial Inclusion & Policy Development Block) and LaKisha Greenwade. 

The event was made possible by sponsors Crypto.com, Block, NCTA, and Caesars. 

Thank you to all of our sponsors and attendees. USBC members can watch the broadcast of the 2022 USBC Policy Breakfast on Friday, October 7 at 1:00 PM EST via USBC Facebook, YouTube, and LinkedIn channels.

U.S. Black Chambers, Inc. | programs@usblackchambers.org | usblackchambers.org

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GBBCC Participates in Roundtable with SBA USBC in March

Leaving the Black Business Footprint at the DC Capital - USBC National Conference, July 15, 2022,

(left to right):  Alicea Gay, the Voice USBC's ByBlack Initiative, Debra Keller-Greene, GBBCC Board Chair, and USBC's VP Alisa Joseph.  

Maryland State Directory of New Hire

REPORTING ONLINE HELPS EVERYONE!

Report new hires

Employers must re-report returning employees as new hires.

All new and returning employees must be reported within 20 days of hire or returning to work.

New hire reporting helps children and families get the child support they need. 
It also helps detect fraud in the unemployment system. 

Reporting new hires online has many benefits:

  • Fast and secure online entry or upload
     
  • Reports are more accurate, reducing the need to resend reports later

     
  • It's FREE! No more paper, postage or other material costs!



The Maryland State Directory of New Hire is available to take your new hire reports via our website MD-newhire.com


www.mdnewhire.com
Phone: (888) 634-4737 | Fax: (888) 657-3534
 

State of Maryland Financial Resources & Services 

Department of Human Services Resources & Financial Assistance

dhs.maryland.gov

DHSWebsite

The Maryland Department of Human Services (DHS) is the state’s primary social service provider. Our mission is to aggressively pursue opportunities to assist people in economic need, provide prevention services, and protect vulnerable children and adults.

DHS’s website, https://dhs.maryland.gov/, hosts a wealth of information about the agency’s many services and programs, as well as additional resources, for Maryland families and individuals in need of assistance:

• DHS offers several financial assistance options to support individuals and families experiencing trying times. If eligible, you can receive cash assistance for rent, utilities, and many other emergency financial burdens.

https://dhs.maryland.gov/category/financial-assistance/.

• You do not have to weather the tough times alone. DHS services include, financial, medical, and more. Learn more at  https://dhs.maryland.gov/weathering-tough-times/.

• The Department of Human Services is providing updated information to Marylanders regarding our services, operations, and other important resources during the COVID-19 pandemic. Stay informed by visiting our Coronavirus Covid-19 Resources web page at https://dhs.maryland.gov/coronavirus-covid-19-resources/.

myDHR/myMDTHINK Consumer Portal

Marylanders can get information, apply for DHS programs and services, and check the status of applications online at  mydhrbenefits.dhr.state.md.us/dashboardClient/#/home
SupplementalNutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) The Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP), formerly known as food stamps, helps low-income households buy healthy food. Click here to download the Income Guidelines. Apply online: Go to https://mydhrbenefits.dhr.state.md.us. People who have little or no money may qualify for SNAP benefits right away.
TemporaryCash Assistance (TCA) TCA provides temporary cash assistance to families with dependent children. TCA also prepares participants for independence through work programs. Click here to download the Income Guidelines. Apply online: Go to https://mydhrbenefits.dhr.state.md.us/ to file your application.
Office of Home Energy Assistance Programs (OHEP) OHEP offers help to Marylanders who are facing potential energy shut-offs or having difficulty paying their energy bills. You do not need a turn-off notice to qualify for assistance; eligibility for energy assistance is based on your income. Please also contact your Local Home Energy Program Office at https://dhs.maryland.gov/office-of-home-energy-programs/local-home-energy-program-office/  to speak to a dedicated OHEP specialist who will guide you through all your options for energy assistance. Learn more about energy assistance at  https://dhs.maryland.gov/office-of-home-energy-programs/
Emergency Cash Assistance to Families with Children (EAFC) EAFC provides cash assistance to families who have at least one child under the age of 21 living with them, and need emergency paying rent, utilities, or other urgent bills. Apply online: Go to https://mydhrbenefits.dhr.state.md.us/ to file your application.

 Full PDF Download: State of Maryland Resources.pdf

Baltimore City Procurement Database- Interested in doing business in Baltimore? Click here to learn how you can be a city contractor. 


Anne Arundel County Procurement Database- Anne Arundel County has their new contractor database up and running. This database will be a resource to all the agencies when looking for small businesses for procurement opportunities. The Anne Arundel County eProcurement system will be known as P.O.R.T. (Procurement Operations Resource Technology). Click here to learn more. 


State of Maryland Procurement Database- EMMA is the new E Maryland Marketplace Advantage website for procurement opportunities. You can see contract opportunities and contact instructions to help you get connected to the right people. Click here to learn more. 


MDOT Certification- Ever consider doing business with the State of Maryland? If you have plans to grow, the certification process could open up new opportunities for new revenue. Click here to learn more.


Baltimore Demographics- Ever wonder where to find info on demographics in Baltimore? Click here to see this summary by the Census Bureau.


Maryland Wealth- Interested in seeing stats on Maryland's wealth and its tax revenue for each city and county? Click here to view the report from the Department of Legislative Services Office of Policy Analysis.


Connect with City Leadership- Want to attend a Board of Estimates meeting or Baltimore City Council meeting to hear from our elected officials? Check out the schedule at: http://www.baltimorecitycouncil.com/complete-calendar


U.S. Economy- Interested in how the U.S. economy is doing? Here is the most current information from the U.S. Bureau of Economic Analysis: https://www.bea.gov/news/glance

Maryland Sick and Safe Leave Information
-by Janice Walker-Emeogo

The law states that leave accrues at the rate of one hour for every thirty hours that an employee works. An employee is not entitled to accrue sick and safe leave during (1) a 2 week pay period in which the employee worked fewer than 24 total hours; (2) a 1 week pay period if the employee worked fewer than a combined total of 24 hours in the current and immediately preceding pay period; or (3) a pay period in which the employee is paid twice per month and worked fewer than 26 hours in the pay period. The leave hours provided for under the law are the minimum number of hours an employee is entitled to earn and accrue. An employer may provide more leave for its employees.

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

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