Over One Quarter of Marylanders Have Owned or Operated Businesses, State Survey Says

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GOVERNOR O'MALLEY: "We are fortunate 

to have within our state so many innovative 

self-starters, small and micro businesses, 

and rapidly growing gazelle firms 

that are an important part of our diverse 

business community."

A statewide survey conducted by the Maryland Department of Business and Economic Development (DBED), in partnership with the Greater Baltimore Technology Council (GBTC), has found that more than one quarter of Marylanders--28 percent--have owned or operated a business.

A report based on the survey, which was conducted by OpinionWorks, a research firm in Annapolis, reviews the business start-up by industry, life-cycle and size; identifies owner demographics, characteristics and interests; and examines policies, services and the role government and advocacy groups can play to support entrepreneurs.  

"We are fortunate to have within our State so many innovative self-starters, small and micro businesses, and rapidly growing gazelle firms that are an important part of our diverse business community," said Governor O'Malley. "The results of this survey will help guide our efforts, both through policy and programs, to provide the resources, support and infrastructure needed to sustain and advance Maryland's entrepreneur community so together we can create the next generation of companies and jobs."

NVR's Ryan Homes Debuts New Mozart Townhome Model in Owings Mills

Owings Mills, MD--NVR, Inc., owner of homebuilding and mortgage banking companies, has introduced the Mozart, a new townhome model built by NVR's Ryan Homes division, at the Park Place development in Owings Mills.

Chesapeake Urology Associates Earns National Ranking as Quality Employer

Owings Mills, MD--Modern Healthcare magazine has named Chesapeake Urology Associates, a medical group based in Owings Mills with locations throughout greater Baltimore, to the annual Best Places to Work in Healthcare list.

Systems Alliance Hires Legg Mason IT Executive

Hunt Valley, MD--Systems Alliance, a Web and IT consulting firm based in Hunt Valley, has announced that Legg Mason IT executive Tom Shipley will join the company as vice president in January.

Leader of Private School in Owings Mills Honored By International Dyslexia Association

Ben Shifrin, Head of Jemicy School in Owings Mills, was inducted November 16 to the Hall of Fame of the International Dyslexia Association (IDA), during a ceremony at the IDA headquarters in Towson.

New Sign Production Shop Opens in Reisterstown

Reisterstown, MD--Organizations in the Reisterstown area have a new, local option for their signage and graphics needs: a SIGNARAMA store at 11630 Reisterstown Road.

Owings Mills Title Firm Wins Award Recognizing Minority-Owned and Women-Owned Businesses

Bridging the Gap, a minority business development initiative of the Greater Baltimore Committee, has recognized Integrity Title & Escrow Company of Owings Mills with a Bridging the Gap award.

What Are Your Small Business Saturday Plans?

If your small business in Upper Baltimore County is actively participating in the Small Business Saturday initiative sponsored by American Express, we'd like to hear from you. What are you doing to encourage local consumers to include you in their holiday shopping plans the day after Black Friday? Are you using materials and tactics that American Express and their co-sponsors are providing? Are you promoting your Small Business Saturday efforts on social media? Are you holding a Small Business Saturday sale? Let us know at editor@upper-baltimore-business.com, and hopefully we'll be able to feature your comments in a story on Small Business Saturday in the Upper Baltimore County Business Bulletin!

A New License for Mid-Atlantic Gutters

Upperco, MD--Mid-Atlantic Gutters, Inc., of Upperco, has been awarded a license to sell and install the K-Guard Leaf Free Gutter System® produced by K-Guard LLC, based in Columbus, Ohio.

Kamenetz, Olszewski Laud New Redevelopment Partnership for Owings Mills Mall

In announcements issued yesterday by the Baltimore County Executive Office and two real estate development firms, County Executive Kevin Kamenetz and County Council Chair John Olszewski Jr. lauded a new partnership for the redevelopment of Owings Mills Mall.

Local Web/IT Firm Upgrades University's Online Presence

Image via WikipediaHunt Valley, MD--Systems Alliance, a firm that helps clients build, assess and optimize online properties, has launched a newly redesigned Web site for Mount St. Mary's University in Emmitsburg, Maryland.

Upper Baltimore County Business Bulletin Nominated for 2011 Mobbie Award as Best Baltimore County News Blog

Image via WikipediaThe Upper Baltimore County Business Bulletin has been nominated for a 2011 Mobbie Award, in a competition sponsored by the Baltimore Sun to honor the best Maryland blogs.

Conducted annually since 2009, the competition includes awards for blogs and social media sites that are either operated by Marylanders or that focus topically or geographically on Maryland or areas within the state.

Sinclair Acquires Eight TV Stations in Seven Markets

Sinclair Broadcast Group, the television broadcast company headquartered in Hunt Valley, Maryland, has announced an agreement to purchase the broadcast assets of Freedom Communications, owner and operator of eight television stations in seven markets.

Hunt Valley Biotech Firm Fights Foodborne Pathogens

Hunt Valley, MD--In a report on a U.S. Food and Drug Administration investigation of a recent outbreak of Listeria from contaminated cantaloupes, KCNC-TV CBS4 News (Denver, CO) featured disinfectant products of the Hunt Valley biotechnology firm Sterilex as potentially life-saving chemicals.

When used at food processing facilities, the products help prevent Listeria growth.

According to Sterilex, the product line has a unique ability to kill resistant organisms such as Listeria living within protective biofilm.

Hamilton Federal Bank Wins Multiple Honors

In a banking world dominated by too-big-to-fail institutions, locally based Hamilton Federal is already noteworthy for having remained an independent community business for nearly a century.

EA Engineering, Science, and Technology Wins New Directions Award

Towson, MD--County Executive Kevin Kamenetz has honored EA Engineering, Science, and Technology, Inc., headquartered in Hunt Valley, Maryland, with the 2011 Baltimore County New Directions Award, which recognizes businesses that exemplify the quality and future direction of the county's business community.

UK Private Auto Sales Firm Opens Branch in Owings Mills

webuyanycar.com, a company based in the United Kingdom that assists consumers seeking to sell their used personal automobiles on the private market, has chosen Owings Mills, Maryland, as the location of one of its first branches in the U.S.

Monkton Firm Partners with California Tech Company to Provide Social Business Platform

Monkton, MD--Gateway Technical Services, based in Monkton, has entered a solution partnership with Nimble, a social media solutions developer in Santa Monica, California.

The Nimble Social Business Platform combines relationship management and social engagement in a Web-based solution that makes contact management easier by integrating LinkedIn, Facebook, Twitter, Google, and email contacts and conversations.

McCormick Marks Hispanic Heritage Month with Donation

Image via WikipediaSparks, MD--McCormick & Company based in Sparks, has presented a donation of $30,000 to the Culinary Institute of America (CIA), for a scholarship fund supporting Latino students in the culinary arts. The company presented the donation at a community open house at the institute's San Antonio campus. 

Hunt Valley Payroll Provider Launches New Features

Hunt Valley, MD--Custom Payroll Services, an independent payroll provider based in Hunt Valley, has announced Dashboard Navigator, an enhancement to a set of product features designed to control, manage, and reduce labor costs.