Message from the CEO

Pitch & Mingle: The Lucky Pitch

Tonight is our highly anticipated Pitch and Mingle: The Lucky Pitch, featuring entrepreneurs and startup companies competing for $7,000 in prize money!

Spirited in atmosphere and in food and drink offerings, Pitch and Mingle is the perfect opportunity to stir up your social network, mingling with fellow attendees over light fare. Come support the community's entrepreneurs, participate in the selection process and make connections.

So how does it work? Five startups are selected to present a four-minute pitch. This is followed by four minutes of Q&A from the panel of judges and audience. At the end, our judges select the top three companies! These winners receive cash prizes with first place receiving $3,000. In addition, there will be a "Crowd Favorite" award which is selected by the audience.

Thank you to our sponsors:

Ready, Set, GROW!

The Ready, Set, GROW! Procurement Connections Workshop Series took place on March 20, 2024, in Downtown Columbia. This live event provided attendees with a unique opportunity to connect with buyers from more than 20 different state and local agencies, departments, and universities. Participants gained valuable insights into the common products and services each unit purchased, discovered their current procurement needs and got a sneak peek into upcoming opportunities in the pipeline.

Blowfish Poke and Grill LLC, Anderson Fire Protection, Inc. and MIMAR Architects & Engineers, Inc. were awarded the Governor's and County Executive's Citation. These businesses were an integral part of the event and community. We look forward to continuing to support and celebrate their accomplishments in the future.

Whether attendees were seasoned business owners or just starting out, the workshop series offered essential information to help navigate the procurement process effectively. We would like to extend our heartfelt thanks to all the attendees for making this event a great success.

Happy National Agriculture Week

Howard County is home to 345 farms, spanning over 37 thousand acres of fertile farmland. Let's take a moment to appreciate the hard work and dedication of our local farmers who play a vital role in feeding our communities and sustaining our economy. From fresh produce to beautiful landscapes, agriculture enriches our lives in countless ways.

Our Agricultural Marketing Program serves as a steadfast ally of the farming community, advocating on their behalf for agriculture-related legislation and fostering business development. From zoning and permitting to business planning and grant writing, we're dedicated to helping farms plow through the red tape so they can focus on what they do best—farming.

Grants to Strengthen Local Economies

The Department of Housing and Community Development is launching the Neighborhood BusinessWorks program, offering Business Boost microgrants ranging from $20,000 to $50,000 to support small business growth and expansion.

The application deadline has been extended to March 29, 2024 with funds allocated on a first-come, first-served basis. Priority will be given to businesses in Sustainable Communities areas, innovative ventures and those fostering regional economic growth. For more information and to apply, visit https://dhcd.maryland.gov/Business/Pages/Microgrant.aspx. 

How We Help Local Businesses

The Catalyst Fund Loan

We focus on helping businesses grow, especially in their early stages. One way we do this is through the Catalyst Fund loan, which provides affordable loans to fill funding gaps. 

The Catalyst Fund is part of Maryland's initiative to support small, minority, and woman-owned businesses. It provides capital to start-ups and expanding businesses statewide, with a focus on creating jobs and attracting investment. This fund operates as a revolving loan fund, ensuring sustainability by reinvesting loan repayments to help more businesses.

Flood Preparedness Crash Course

Join the Local Emergency Planning Committee for the Flood Preparedness Crash Course on April 18 from 2:30– 4:30 p.m. at the Roger Carter Community Center in Ellicott City. Experts from Howard County's Fire & Rescue Services, Police Department and Office of Emergency Management will share valuable insights on weather alerts, emergency plans, kit best practices, County response activities and more. Be prepared for any emergency situation and ensure the safety of your community.