Governor Larry Hogan presented his Fiscal Year 2023 (FY 2023) surplus budget, which strengthens the state’s Rainy Day Fund to record levels, delivers major tax relief to retirees and working families, expands relief for vulnerable Marylanders, makes record investment in K-12 education and school construction, increases funding for the Maryland Park Service, fully funds Chesapeake Bay restoration, and provides record funding for addressing mental health and substance use disorders.

“The entire mission of our administration has been to leave our state in a stronger fiscal position than when we found it,” said Governor Hogan. “Today, after seven years of hard work and holding the line, the State of Maryland is projecting a long-term structurally balanced budget for the first time in nearly a quarter century. Rather than leaving a structural deficit, we will leave a long-term budget surplus.”

The application period is open now and will close on Monday, Feb. 21 at 4 p.m. Funding is available for the period of July 1 to June 30, 2023 and is contingent on County Council approval of the fiscal 2023 budget. If awarded, funds will be made available on or around July 1.

Applications will be accepted through the ACDS Neighborly Portal, available HERE. New applicants must first register to access the portal, anyone who needs assistance registering or has questions about the grant process should contact Laura Shaffer, ACDS Grants Associate, at 410-222-3964 or lshaffer@acdsinc.org.

The Cybersecurity Association of Maryland, Inc. is partnering with SCALEUP

Maryland™ to recruit cybersecurity companies for their next cohort, starting January 2022.

Maryland companies poised for growth and expansion are encouraged to apply for the SCALEUP Maryland™ Program, sponsored by the Maryland Department of Commerce and the T. Rowe Price Foundation. Companies with revenues up to $10M across multiple industries will develop tools to reach targeted milestones.

This program, taught by seasoned entrepreneurs and business development professionals, is designed to help executives create an executable Strategic Growth Plan.

Examples of sessions include:

Never in my life, after 34 years in the holistic wellness field, did I ever think there would be such media and interest in the four M’s. Meditation, mindfulness, massage and mental health have been front and center, and for good reasons. The level of intense emotions, along with chronic stress these last few years, have been unmatched by any other moment in our lives, and is rising the risk of cardiovascular disease.

There was no course to take for proper preparation for a Pandemic! It seems to be learned along the way to thrive, not merely survive. And there is much hope to raise the bar for wellness, as that is my life’s passion, to empower health and wellness, most especially now, for ourselves, families, faith communities, and the world.

The Catalyst Fund’s goal is to support businesses that aren’t qualified for traditional financing vehicles and to bridge gaps in existing/available funding options. Loans are provided at market rate or below.

In addition, we now offer the new Collateral Assistance Fund available to Howard County businesses that assists companies to satisfy the collateral requirement to secure a catalyst loan.

The Catalyst Fund, powered by the Howard County Economic Development Authority (HCEDA), is part of Maryland’s Video Lottery Terminal Small, Minority and Woman-Owned Business Account initiative. The fund is a locally managed source of capital used to finance start-ups and expanding businesses statewide whose projects will create permanent jobs and leverage private sector investment. Catalyst is a Revolving Loan Fund (RLF) as borrowers repay Catalyst Fund loans, the principal and interest payments are returned to the fund for lending to other businesses to create more jobs and investment opportunities.

Loan funds can be used for normal business uses such as working capital, equipment, real estate, franchise fees and inventory purchases. Loan amounts are always subject to availability of funds.

Inclusive Ventures Program (IVP) aims to assist small, minority, women and veteran entrepreneurs in Anne Arundel County with education, mentorship and access to capital. The goal is to help these businesses maximize opportunity, create jobs and grow our local and state economy.

Business owners must apply to the program. Preferred candidates are entrepreneurs who have a track record; the company should be in business for at least two years and have revenue and employees.

Upon acceptance, entrepreneurs will participate in the program’s signature component, the Virtual Entrepreneurship Cohort and Seed Fund. This online experience is a three-hour class once a week for six weeks. During the seventh meeting, each participant will receive a certificate of completion and a $5,000 grant to be used for working capital. Participating businesses also receive exclusive, complimentary consultations with legal, human resources and accounting experts and may apply for additional funds through AAEDC’s VOLT loan fund and Workforce Training Reimbursement program.

Weekly Inclusion, Diversity, Equity & Awareness Conversations

Employees across industries are quitting their jobs. One recent study reported that one in four people quit their job this year. Whether we want to chalk it up to career moves that were delayed due to the uncertain pandemic economy, a reevaluation of work environments, or a revolt against unsatisfactory employers, one thing is certain: It’s a job seeker’s market, with more than 10 million job openings as of November.

Not only is deploying accessible hiring practices the right thing to do – and a requirement under the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) – but it could also help mitigate widespread labor shortages, connecting companies to a large, talented pool of applicants.

Join here!