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."

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!

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.

Hunt Valley Web Firm Nets Award for College Site

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Flagler College

Hunt Valley, MD.--Systems Alliance, a Web and IT consulting firm helping clients build, assess and optimize online properties, has announced that it has received a 2011 Web Marketing Association WebAward for a website it designed and developed for Flagler College. 

"We're delighted that the Flagler College Web site was recognized with a 2011 Education Standard of Excellence Award-- it's well-deserved recognition for the Systems Alliance Web Effectiveness team members who designed and developed the site, and managed the project," said Mark Dabrowski, vice president, Web Effectiveness Consulting, Systems Alliance. "Kudos also go out to our colleagues at Flagler College for their vision and commitment to making the Web work for their institution." 

Now in its 15th year, the 2011 WebAward competition attracted over 2,000 sites from 45 countries in 96 industry categories. Entries were judged on design, copywriting, innovation, content, interactivity, navigation, and use of technology.