Maryland Leads the Nation in Minority and Women Business Ownership
As the nation joins the U.S. Small Business Administration’s (SBA) observance of National Small Business Week, Maryland is celebrating its position as the #1 state in the country for minority and women business ownership, according to a recent survey on business ownership diversity conducted by Paychex, Inc. National Small Business Week is April 29 through May 5, 2018.
“Since taking office, our administration has been committed to growing Maryland’s economy, especially our small businesses,” said Governor Larry Hogan. “We are incredibly proud of our diverse and growing small business community, and we are working every day to ensure that Maryland is the best place in the nation to be a small business owner.”
According to the survey, Maryland’s top five cities for minority ownership are Capital Heights, Beltsville, Brentwood, Gambrills, and Bowie. Meanwhile, Sykesville, Kensington, Annapolis, Lutherville, and Stevensville were identified as the top five cities for women-owned businesses.
Maryland is home to 580,000 small businesses, with over 60 percent owned by minorities and women, according to the SBA. The Governor’s Office of Small, Minority & Women Business Affairs is tasked with helping the small business community connect to greater economic opportunities. Under the leadership of Special Secretary Jimmy Rhee, the office conducts a statewide outreach program and maintains a robust website of small business resources.
“We reach more than 14,000 business owners and entrepreneurs annually by hosting and participating in events around the state,” said Secretary Rhee. “It’s clear that small business owners are responsive to Governor Hogan’s promise that Maryland is OPEN for Business.”
The Governor’s Office of Small, Minority & Women Business Affairs conducts two, free, monthly small business programs. Ready, Set, GROW workshops are held at locations around the state and connect vendors with buyers from State agencies. Technical Training Classrooms are held at the Governor’s Coordinating Offices in Crownsville and offer a broad curriculum of classes. Web-based resources include connections to financial/lending programs, a pipeline to public and private sector opportunities, technical assistance and counseling programs, business networking events calendars, and more.
To mark National Small Business Week, award ceremonies and conferences will be held on Facebook, Twitter, and other digital sites. The highlight will be a three-day virtual conference featuring 12 online seminars covering a broad range of topics. For information about the SBA’s events, visit www.sba.gov/national-small-business-week.
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Maryland is OPEN for Business. As a coordinating office for Governor Larry Hogan, the Governor’s Office of Small, Minority & Women Business Affairs connects the small business community, including those firms owned by minorities and women, to greater economic opportunities. Learn more by visiting our website at goMDsmallbiz.maryland.gov and connect with us on Facebook and Twitter @goMDsmallbiz.
