A wide range of business development services and networking opportunities is available to small and minority-owned businesses in Rockville, as well as those seeking to locate in the city.  Business organizations in Rockville and Montgomery County offer procurement assistance, mentoring programs, networking opportunities, and more.  Montgomery County and the State of Maryland offer small business assistance through various incentives and business development programs.

Women business professionals, owners and entrepreneurs can also take advantage of assistance and networking opportunities available through agencies and organizations designed specifically for women.

Assistance in writing business plans is available through a variety of sources, including free monthly business plan seminars sponsored by REDI.   Entrepreneurs interested in starting a business in Rockville will want to contact REDI. A list of resources below will also help guide you in starting and growing your business.

Assistance for Small and Minority-Owned Businesses
Minority Business Organizations
Women in Business
Starting Your Business in Rockville

Services and Incentives for Small and Minority-Owned Businesses

Montgomery County

• Business Information Center
  The Business Information Center at the Rockville Regional Library offers resources to help individuals and organizations make informed business, investment, and economic decisions. It has an extensive collection of business directories, source books, and periodicals in print and on-line, and a dedicated business librarian to guide researchers to the sources they need.

• Minority Outreach
  The Montgomery County Department of Economic Development conducts programs, sponsors events, and engages in various other activities to reach minority businesses. The department's loan programs support minority business development and growth; technical assistance in preparing loan packages is available.  The department also administers the Local Small Business Reserve Program,  which creates separately-defined County procurement opportunities for Montgomery County based small businesses.
  
  
• Office of Procurement
  The Office of Procurement oversees the Minority, Female, and Disabled Persons (MFD) Program, which ensures that minority-owned businesses receive a fair share of the County’s contracting opportunities. An MFD owned business is a business that is at least 51% owned, controlled and managed daily by a minority person(s). County resources are available to assist MFD businesses including:
  • RAPID, an automated user-friendly system that allows users to view procurement information, download files or receive weekly e-mail notifications.
  • MFD procurement seminars designed to guide minority businesses through their early attempts to sell their product or service to Montgomery County.
  • One-on-one counseling to both majority and minority businesses seeking to best use the MFD requirements.

  The department, along with the Office of Procurement, coordinates the annual Minority Procurement Forum and Fair, where major employers and government agencies discuss contracting opportunities with minority vendors. Seminars on marketing services and obtaining contracts are also conducted.

State of Maryland

The State of Maryland offers a number of financing programs, tax incentives, and other small and minority business resources. The Capital Region Office of the Maryland Department of Business and Economic Development (20 Courthouse Square, Suite 104, Rockville, 301-762-3858) provides personalized assistance to Maryland businesses.

Other Assistance Programs for Minority-Owned Businesses

• Hispanic Business and Training Institute
  The Hispanic Business and Training Institute (HBTI) of Montgomery College offers bilingual noncredit training and education to area residents, employees and employers.  We deliver a full range of courses including Small Business Development, Food Safety Certification, OSHA for the construction industry, QuickBooks, and Loan Officer Training.  Most courses can be delivered on-site as well as customized to fit the needs of your organization.
   
• El Instituto Hispano de Negocios
  El Instituto Hispano de Negocios de Montgomery College ofrece entrenamiento en español para los residentes del área, empleados y empleadores. Ofrecemos una gran variedad de cursos entre los cuales se incluyen: Curso de Capacitación Empresarial para la creación de pequeñas empresas, Certificación para la Manipulación de Alimentos, OSHA (salud y seguridad en el trabajo para la industria de la construcción), Contabilidad Computerizada (Quick Books), Cursos básicos de computación e internet y Entrenamiento Para Oficial de Prestamos Hipotecarios.  Podemos ofrecer la mayoría de los cursos en el lugar de trabajo y también diseñarlos de acuerdo a las necesidades de su organización o compañía.
   
• The A. Mario Loiederman Procurement Center
  The A. Mario Loiederman Procurement Center (MLPC) is a non-profit program run by the Hispanic Business Foundation. It provides procurement assistance by offering marketing, counseling and educational services to small and women and minority-owned businesses in Montgomery County.  Many of MLPC’s services are free of charge.
  

Minority Business Organizations

• Hispanic Chamber of Commerce
  The Hispanic Chamber of Commerce of Montgomery County exists to promote the development and economic growth of the Hispanic business community in Montgomery County. The Hispanic Chamber of Commerce welcomes public and private organizations as well as interested individuals and Hispanic professionals. Its membership includes Hispanic-owned and -managed firms, as well as businesses interested in working with the Hispanic market.
  
  The chamber conducts forums and seminars on special issues relating to Hispanic businesses, in addition to sponsoring luncheons, hosting workshops, and providing networking opportunities. Other services offered through the Hispanic Chamber of Commerce include small business advocacy and assistance for businesses and organizations seeking to expand or locate to Montgomery County. The chamber's banking and finance committee provides referrals to services for advice, consultation, loans, and investment capital.
   
• Mid-Atlantic Hispanic Chamber of Commerce
  The Mid-Atlantic Hispanic Chamber of Commerce (MAHCC) is the largest Hispanic business organization in Maryland.  T he MAHCC is a member-supported, member-driven organization that is organized into chapters that serve specific local or county-wide jurisdictions.  Its dues-paying member companies span several states in the Mid-Atlantic region, and range from Fortune 500 corporations with multi-million dollar payrolls to local companies with a handful of employees.  
  
  The Chamber conducts networking events, a mentor-protégé program, and a Small Business Development Institute.  It lobbies at the local, state and federal levels and offers members access to markets, capital, and assistance.
  
  
• Asian Pacific American Chamber of Commerce
  The Asian Pacific American Chamber of Commerce (APACC) supports the development and advancement of Asian American related business in the Greater Washington Metropolitan area. Its membership consists of public and private organizations as well as non-profit and for-profit entities. APACC welcomes inquiries and membership from all individuals and businesses interested in working with the Asian American market.
  
  Some of the major functions of the Chamber are member networking, business education, and political advocacy. It organizes frequent luncheons and dinners to allow its members to socialize and network with each other. Additionally, it will organize educational seminars that may be of interest to its members. The Chamber works closely with elected officials in order to advocate for the interests of its members. It also offers assistance to businesses seeking to expand or locate into the metropolitan area. For further information contact Executive Director Shu-Ping Chan.
  

Women in Business Resources and Organizations

• Women Business Owners
  Women Business Owners (WBO)) of Montgomery County provides support and networking for women who own and operate their own businesses, and gives them the tools to help manage and grow their businesses. Founded in 1980, WBO continues to promote women in business, mentor women entrepreneurs, and actively contribute to the Greater Washington, D.C., community.

  The organization represents a wide variety of women-owned corporations, independent businesses, and for-profit service organizations. WBO provides access to the combined knowledge and experience that women business owners can offer to one another.
   

• The Commission for Women Counseling and Career Center
  The Commission for Women Counseling and Career Center provides a broad scope of programs and services designed to meet the needs and interests of women in the community while fulfilling the Commission's mandate to address inequities women experience in society. Services at the Center include:

  • individual counseling for personal and career issues,
  • couples counseling,
  • workshops and seminars on a wide range of topics,
  • vocational testing,
  • a legal call back program, and
  • information and referral services and the use of the Center's library.

  The Center has a highly qualified professional staff and services are provided at affordable fees. Some services are offered in both English and Spanish. Counseling is provided by appointment only.
   

• Women In Bio
  Women in Bio (WIB) is a vibrant national organization dedicated to the success of women executives and entrepreneurs in biotechnology and bioscience industries. The organization was founded to encourage, support, educate and provide networking opportunities as well as to facilitate access to funding and resources necessary to grow successful companies.
• MDWIT
  MDWIT is a non-profit organization that promotes women's entry into and advancement in the technology workforce, including the areas of engineering and technology.  It sponsors a variety of events including the annual Women and Technology Forum.

Starting Your Business in Rockville

Business planning assistance is available through a variety of sources. The options below will help guide you in starting your business in Rockville. The staff at REDI is also available to answer questions and assist you in connecting with the appropriate resource for your business development needs.

• United States Small Business Administration
  The SBA provides an array of programs and services tailored to encourage small enterprises in all areas. SBA’s programs include financial and federal contract procurement assistance, management assistance, and specialized outreach to women, minorities and armed forces veterans. The SBA also provides specialized advice and assistance in international trade.

  A small business guide is available on the SBA web site and serves as a roadmap for starting and growing a business. The small business guide, with numerous electronic links, is a powerful interactive tool with many supporting resources to help you start a successful business.
   

• Small Business Development Center Network (SBDC).
  The Maryland Small Business Development Center (SBDC) Network provides counseling and training assistance to small businesses. Clients of the SBDC work with professional business counselors to start new businesses or to expand their existing businesses.

  The SBDC offers a comprehensive training program designed to provide the new or existing entrepreneur with the skills and knowledge needed to help their business flourish. Workshops and seminars are conducted at convenient locations throughout the Capital Region and include such subjects as:

  • Smart Start Entrepreneur 101
  • Writing a Winning Business Plan
  • Financing Your Small Business
  • Marketing for Today's Entrepreneur
  • Opening a Restaurant --The Recipe for Success
  • Tax Strategies for Small Business
  • Open for Business - Starting a Successful Retail Store
  • Small Business Accounting
  • Minority 8(a) Certification Seminar
    
    
• Continuing Education
  Montgomery College Division of Workforce Development and Continuing Education offers noncredit training and education through its small business programs. The Division offers a full range of courses for residents, employees, and employers. Such courses offered include Customer Service, Sales Success, Marketing for Managers, and Selling and Promoting Products.  Small business classes include Market Strategies for Small Businesses, How to Start a Retail Business, and How to Develop a Successful Business Plan.
   

• SCORE
  SCORE provides free and confidential small business advice to assist entrepreneurs in building their businesses. The non-profit organization is composed of a national network of 10,500 retired and working volunteers, all experienced entrepreneurs and corporate managers/executives, who are dedicated to the formation, growth and success of small businesses nationwide.  SCORE counselors are available by appointment on Tuesdays and Thursdays, 9 a.m. - 3 p.m. at the Rockville Library (21 Maryland Ave., Rockville, 240-777-0140).  Please call 202-272-0390 or register at the Rockville Library Information Desk to schedule a session.