Business and Enterprise Development The Division of Business and Enterprise Development works with companies across the state, throughout the U.S., and around the globe to help them succeed in doing business in Maryland – with the end goal of creating, attracting, retaining, and expanding job opportunities for Marylanders.
To accomplish this objective, our team works to:
· Attract new businesses from across the country and around the world;
· Cultivate industry clusters in critical sectors;
· Build relationships with key economic drivers such as the State's federal facilities, universities and military installations;
· Help Maryland firms market and export their products and services to international markets; and
· Provide “one-stop” assistance to in-state businesses through regional field staff, small business, strategic initiatives,
workforce, and finance teams.
Robert Walker, Assistant Secretary
410.767.0680
Maryland Venture Fund
Frank Dickson, Principal | 410.767.6383
Invests in privately held emerging technology and life sciences companies to foster entrepreneurial development and private sector investment
Office of Business Development
Ursula Powidzki, Program Director | 410.767.6436
Recruits businesses from across the country, and promotes development of key sectors: clean technology and sustainability, science and healthcare, information technology, manufacturing and financial services.
Office of Business Services
Jorge Austrich, Director | 410.767.6678
Connects Maryland businesses with workforce, business development and advocacy resources, with a focus on the regions of Southern, Western and Eastern Shore Maryland.
Office of Finance Programs
James Henry, Program Director | 410.767.6353
Identifies and provides financing and incentive based solutions for economic development projects that create or retain jobs in Maryland.
Office of International Investment and Trade
Signe Pringle, Program Director | 410.767.3542
Attracts foreign direct investment, provides export assistance and coordinates trade shows and trade missions.
Office of Military and Federal Affairs
J. Michael Hayes, Program Director | 410.767.2988
Manages economic growth resulting from Base Realignment and Closure (BRAC) and links Maryland businesses to opportunities through military installations and federal facilities.
Office of Small Business
Sean McEvoy, Director | 410.767.5675
Provides business owners with individualized assistance to navigate regulations, permitting, and other issues.
Office of Strategic Initiatives
Kassie Lewis, Director | 410.767.0697
Links businesses with opportunities through the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act and other potential grant and/or funding opportunities
Regional Offices
Southern Maryland | 15045 Burnt Store Road, Hughesville, MD 20637 | 301.274.9138
Eastern Shore | P.O. Box 386 | Easton, MD 21601 | 410.718.0094
Western Maryland | 138 Baltimore Street, Suite 203 | Cumberland, MD 21502 | 301.722.0054