Open for Business
Resources for the Business Community
What Resources Does Baltimore County Offer to the Business Community?
What Other Governmental Offices should I be Familiar with?
What Do I Need to Do?
- I want to write a business/marketing plan
- I need information on Funding Programs, Business Structuring.
- I want to bid on construction capital improvement contracts, architectural/engineering projects, commodities, services, maintenance, janitorial, information technology, promotional items contracts.
- I want to Register/Qualify to conduct business in Maryland for the Good Standing Requirement.
- I need a Baltimore County license/permit.
- I want to learn about Baltimore County’s Minority Business Program.
- I am looking for employees for my business, employment development assistance.
- I am interested in residential/commercial revitalization, block grants.
- I am interested in land use regulation information.
- I want to become a certified minority/woman business.
- I want to register my tax identification number with the state.
- I want to find out the Maryland license requirements for my business industry.
- I need to know Maryland labor regulations
- I want State procurement.
- I want to locate another business advocate.
- I need a traders license.
- I need information on Federal stimulus dollars.
- I need help with a business related problem.
- I am looking for grant opportunities.
What Resources Does Baltimore County Offer to the Business Community?
Budget and Finance - Purchasing and Disbursements
www.baltimorecountymd.gov/purchasing
410-887-3880
The County’s Purchasing Division is a centralized procurement office responsible for buying commodities, supplies, services, human services, office equipment, janitorial, building maintenance, vehicles, communications, computer hardware/software, peripherals and related services, furniture, recreational products, landscaping and more.
Budget and Finance - Taxpayer Services
www.baltimorecountymd.gov/go/taxsearch
410-887-2404
To pay your real or personal property taxes or search for property tax information, you will need a parcel ID or account number. You also will need to review and agree to Baltimore County's User Terms and Conditions.
Department of Planning
www.baltimorecountymd.gov/go/occ
410-887-3317
The Department of Planning is a highly responsive, interactive agency that has a fundamental mission to strengthen, enhance and stabilize the county’s older, established communities. These older communities in the County, where a significant majority of the County's residents live, were officially designated as Priority Funding areas.
The Department of Planning, Division of Neighborhood improvement, provides services to strengthen, enhance and stabilize the county's older, established communities. The majority of the agency's work can be described as community development or community revitalization.
Economic Development
http://www.baltimorecountymd.gov/Go/business
410-887-8000
Businesses turn to the to advocate with regulatory agencies, facilitate the development approval process and link to problem solving resources
Economic Development and Baltimore County Chamber of Commerce - Small Business Resource Center
www.baltimorecountymd.gov/gateway
410-887-8000 and 410-825-6200
The Gateway is a collaborative effort between the Baltimore County Chamber of Commerce, the Department of Economic Development and the Baltimore County Public Library. Under direction of the Department of Economic Development and the Baltimore County Public Library, existing resources were culled and new information captured to create a comprehensive site for answers on Baltimore County.
Federal Stimulus
www.baltimorecountymd.gov/go/stimulus
The American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009 (ARRA) impacts all areas of government and business including Economic Development, Energy, Environment, Education, Health and Human Services, Housing, Public Safety, Transportation and Workforce Development.
Minority Business Enterprise
www.baltimorecountymd.gov/go/mwbe
410-887-5557
The Minority Business Enterprise provides information to minority, women and disabled owned businesses regarding procurement opportunities, preparing of business and marketing plans and financial information. Baltimore County Government is committed to providing greater opportunities for participation by minority, women and disabled owned businesses.
Commission for Women
www.baltimorecountymd.gov/go/women
410-887-3448
It is the mission of the Baltimore County Commission for Women, through education and outreach, to identify and advocate for programs, legislation, and services to meet the needs of the women of Baltimore County.
Permits and Development - Development Management Division
www.baltimorecountymd.gov/go/permits
410-887-3353
Our Development Management Division reviews new development plans to make sure they comply with land use regulations and fit in with existing communities and infrastructure. Development Plans Review reviews the necessary public improvements each project requires, and Land Acquisition deals with the related rights-of-way, easements, etc.
Public Works - Construction Contracts Administration
www.baltimorecountymd.gov/go/constructioncontracts
410-887-3531
Our mission is to provide responsible, efficient and effective engineering and construction administration services for County infrastructure, acting as owner and guardian during construction. We provide these services for all new and rehabilitation contracts including sanitary sewers, water mains, roads, bridges and storm drains, public buildings and pumping stations throughout the County. We also provide our services for other departments in the County government, including Recreation and Parks, DEPRM, Police, Fire and Revenue Authority.
Public Works - Professional Services Selection
www.baltimorecountymd.gov/Go/pssc
410-887-3793
The selection of consultants for Professional Services (professional practices of architecture, landscape architecture, engineering or land surveying) contracts for County agencies (not Board of Education) is done by the Professional Services Selection Committee (PSSC). The Bureau of Engineering and Construction performs the administrative and record keeping part of the Selection Process for the PSSC.
Workforce Development
www.baltimorecountymd.gov/go/owd
410-887-2008
With the guidance of the Baltimore County Workforce Development Council, the Baltimore County Office of Workforce Development plays a unique role in the workforce development arena. In concert with the Department of Economic Development, the Baltimore County Workforce Development System (BCWDS) acts as a broker for initiatives designed to develop a skilled workforce.
Zoning
http://www.baltimorecountymd.gov/Go/pdmzoning
410-887-3868
Zoning is a system of land use regulation that controls the physical development of land. It is a legal mechanism by which local government is able to regulate an owner’s right to use privately owned land for the sake of protecting the public health, safety, and/or general welfare.
What Other Public Buying Entities are Located in the County that are Available to the Business Community?
- Public library
- Revenue Authority
- Public Schools
- Community College of Baltimore County
- Towson University
- University of Maryland Baltimore County
What other governmental offices should I be familiar with?
Minority and Women's Business Certification
State of Maryland
- Assessments and Taxation (SDAT) - Register/Qualify your business with the State of Maryland
Note: Non-compliance with SDAT can result in a delay in contract award or rejection of a bid.
- Business and Economic Development
Business License Information - Learn about Maryland industry license requirements
- Comptroller of Maryland (Comp) - Register your tax ID with the State of Maryland or File your State Income Tax
- Department of General Services
eMaryland Marketplace™ - Visit the State of Maryland's procurement portal
- Governor’s Office of Minority Affairs - An advocate for business.
- Labor Licensing and Regulation (DLLR) - Learn about the employers responsibility related to unemployment insurance, labor regulations and occupational/professional license registration.
- Maryland Judiciary - Learn what licenses need to be registered through the Clerk of the Circuit Court (i.e. traders license)
- American Recovery
- Internal Revenue Service
- U.S. Chamber of Commerce
- U.S. Small Business Administration
- Grant Opportunities
Revised January 9, 2012
