December 6, 2023

The holiday season is a time of gratitude and celebration. We are grateful for Howard County’s continued growth as a hub of business innovation and economic strength. This week we’re celebrating the grand openings of Olympic Indoor Sports and the CarePatrol/Howard County ALF assisted living facility, the success of TOMA Essential Skin Therapies, and four new members of our Maryland Innovation Center.

As we embrace the joy of the season, please join us on January 18 from 6:00–9:00 p.m. at the Blackwall Barn & Lodge in Columbia for our Jazzy New Year. The evening will feature networking opportunities, gourmet cuisine, premium open bar, and live jazz. You can purchase tickets now and email jtrahan@hceda.org for event sponsorship information. We look forward to celebrating the new year with members of our business community!

Ribbon Cutting: Olympic Indoor Sports

Olympic Indoor Sports celebrated its grand opening on Saturday, Dec. 2 at 9179 Red Branch Rd Suite #L, Columbia, MD 2104. County Executive Calvin Ball, HCEDA CEO Jennifer Jones, and members of the HCEDA team attended the event, which included a ribbon-cutting ceremony facilitated by HCEDA, tours, and networking. Olympic Indoor Sports is a high-performance facility that provides training in baseball, softball, and cricket and helps student-athletes gain confidence and improve their skills. Olympic Indoor Sports is a minority-owned small business and a recipient of a Catalyst Fund loan that helped them to cover equipment purchase and working capital costs. The company anticipates creating 15 new jobs in the next year!

Ribbon Cutting: Howard County Assisted Living Facility and CarePatrol

Howard County Assisted Living Facility (ALF) and CarePatrol marked significant milestones with a joint event on Thursday, November 31, at 5502 Harris Farm Lane, Clarksville, MD 21029. The event celebrated the grand opening of CarePatrol and the re-opening of Howard County ALF. The facility, known for its state-of-the-art design and commitment to providing exceptional care, is staffed 24/7 by an experienced team. The celebration included a ribbon-cutting ceremony led by the HCEDA included facility tours, live music, and food, providing opportunities for community networking.

New MIC Members:

Help the HCEDA and our Maryland Innovation Center welcome three new members:

• EdZone, LLC enables you to broaden connections within your school community by connecting you with other relevant parents within your children’s schools. EdZone will find and do the connecting for you! It’s a mobile app with verified parents in Howard County and Maryland. Subscribe to get invited to the app.

• Engineered Design Services is a full-service minority owned engineering firm specializing in innovative design projects for utilities, government, industrial and manufacturing markets. For more information contact Craig McKenzie.

• TAS Labs, Inc. provides cutting-edge AI solutions designed to meet the unique needs of warfighters and intelligence professionals.

• Ten One Aerospace provides engineering services for the aerospace industry specializing in astrodynamics, controls, and autonomy for space missions.

To learn more about membership at the Maryland Innovation Center, click below. 

Catalyst Fund Success Story: 

TOMA Essential Skin Therapies

Tori Paide and Marla Peoples initially pursued high-stress careers in Washington, D.C., but transformative encounters with acupuncture redirected their paths to becoming certified acupuncturists. This newfound passion ignited a desire to aid others in achieving mental, physical, and emotional well-being. Over a span of 15 years, their entrepreneurial vision evolved, culminating in the creation of TOMA Essential Skin Therapies, a natural skincare line integrating acupuncture, plant-based therapies, and lifestyle adjustments to treat skin imbalances at their root.

The duo's venture gained momentum with the support of the HCEDA's Catalyst Fund, a financial assistance program for new and existing business owners. This funding helped Marla and Tori broaden their operational scope and establish an online academy. 

"We're grateful for the opportunity to borrow HCEDA funds. These funds helped us expand our operations and launch our online academy, providing other licensed professionals the ability to gain the skills, knowledge, and resources to grow their businesses." 

Interested in the Catalyst Fund or other funding opportunities for your small business? Click below to learn more. 

Visit the 2023 CommUNITY Holiday Celebration on Sunday, December 10 from 1:00–5:00 p.m. at Cafe Columbia on 5550 Sterrett Pl, STE 103, Columbia, MD 21044. Local artisans and vendors will be on hand along with food, beverages, curated music and holiday decorations. For more information, including vending at the event, contact Kytu Khong.