Anne Arundel Economic Development Corporation (AAEDC)

Congratulations to the latest group of business owners to complete our Inclusive Ventures Program (IVP)! Including the 12 members of this 13th cohort, 148 Anne Arundel County business owners have completed IVP since its inception in January 2021. Scroll through some images from the graduation ceremony, held at our office on November 21, and please join us in congratulating the following individuals on taking a major step in growing their businesses in Anne Arundel County: - Mia Barnes, Nail Haven Odenton - Josh Buxton, Buxton Media Productions - Marvin Center, Center Source - William Cox, A Triple CCC Logistics - Shraban Khanal & Supa Deurali, Royal Spice Nepalese and Indian Restaurant - Heather Lamb, Blue Zone - Alsandira Miller, Musical Encounters - Karen Morris, Annapolis Home Concierge - Maria Moses, MMpanadas - Natasha Rolle, Too Blessed To Be Stressed Catering, LLC - Christa Welch Bellanca, Betty Center, LLC - Kim Wharton, Maher's Florist Learn more about IVP – a business education initiative that helps small and minority-owned, woman-owned, and Veteran-owned businesses in Anne Arundel County grow and create jobs - here: https://lnkd.in/eyjHh79 #smallbusiness #minorityownedbusiness #womanownedbusiness #veteranownedbusiness #businessaccelerator #revenuegrowth #jobgrowth #economicdevelopment #annearundelcounty

We were thrilled to help two outstanding graduates of our business accelerator, the Inclusive Ventures Program (IVP), celebrate milestones last week. Our Marketing and Outreach Manager, Steven Adams, was proud to present Bread and Butter Kitchen owner Monica Alvarado with a citation congratulating her on opening a beautiful new community space for meeting, working, and hosting events in Eastport. In Hanover, Business Development Director Anita Dewling, CPRW, GCDF, CBEP, CWDP enjoyed watching Marie Bittinger and her team cut a ribbon to commemorate the five-year anniversary of her health and wellness business, Red Lotus Float Spa. Please join us in congratulating Monica and Marie on continuing to grow their great woman-owned businesses in Anne Arundel County! #smallbusiness #womanownedbusiness #BusinessGrowth #businessaccelerator #economicdevelopment #annearundelcounty

AAEDC was proud to participate in the Maryland Judiciary’s MBE & VSBE Outreach Event earlier this month. While there, Business Development Director Barbara Quaye enjoyed sharing how AAEDC resources including our Inclusive Ventures Program (IVP) and VOLT Fund and county programs like the new Procurement Access and Vendor Equity (PAVE) program support the growth of minority-owned and Veteran-owned businesses in Anne Arundel County. Thanks to the Maryland Judiciary’s Diversity and Outreach team for hosting the valuable event! #businessresources #smallbusiness #minorityownedbusiness #womanownedbusiness #veteranownedbusiness #economicdevelopment #procurement #annearundelcounty

Carrie Long, Senior Business Development Representative at the Maryland Department of Commerce, was recently featured on The Diligent Leader podcast. During her episode, Carrie joined hosts Kalie Lastagarkov Jakovics and Holly Basta to discuss the wide array of Commerce programs that exist to help businesses throughout the state thrive, plus how she works with our team to support the success of businesses in Anne Arundel County. Check out the episode below!

Our team was excited to help new businesses in central, northern, and southern Anne Arundel County celebrate their openings in early November:? ? - Gateway Village Wine & Spirits, a new venture in Annapolis begun by owner Raghu Kumar, whose father Suraj ran the renowned India’s Restaurant for many years.? - The first Amazon Fresh grocery store?in Anne Arundel County (also the first in the entire Greater Baltimore region!), on Ritchie Highway in Glen Burnie.? - Tractor Supply, a farm supplies store offering everything from pet food and fencing to fleeces and furniture, in Edgewater.? ? Thanks to all three businesses for choosing to open their doors in Anne Arundel County!?? ?? #newbusiness?? #familybusiness?? #minorityownedbusiness?? #economicdevelopment?? #businessgrowth?? #jobgrowth?? #glenburnie? #edgewater? #annapolis? #annearundelcounty?

Baltimore Gas and Electric is seeking 15-20 individuals to serve as the founding members of its Small Business Advisory Council - an initiative that aims to better understand the interests and needs of BGE's small and medium business customers (SMBs).?? ? Selected members will help BGE understand SMBs' unique challenges; identify opportunities for improving energy efficiency programs, cost management, and customer service; and collaborate on initiatives that support local business sustainability and growth. ? ? BGE is hosting two virtual information sessions for individuals who would like to learn more about this unique opportunity, on November 20 and 21. If interested, click the links below to join either session.? ? November 20: https://lnkd.in/es_MjSZQ ? ? November 21: https://lnkd.in/ec3ytpd9?

Reminder & Important Update About ABIG!? 1.??Applications for our Agricultural Business Improvement Grant Program (ABIG) are due November 30th. ABIG offers farm-based businesses in Anne Arundel County matching grants of up to $10,000 to expand their operations. 2.??We’ve expanded the application requirements and commercial watermen are now eligible to apply!? So whether you’re a farmer, a waterman, or just know one who might be interested, please visit or share our ABIG page today! ABIG page: https://bit.ly/ABIG2024?

Recently the Baltimore Business Journal highlighted 76 locally owned restaurants, bars, and dessert shops that have opened in Greater Baltimore this year. We were excited to see nine local businesses – the majority of which began elsewhere and expanded into Anne Arundel County – on the list: - Nico's Bagels & Brunch, Titan Hospitality Group’s The Farmhouse, and Mucho Gusto in Gambrills. - D.C.-based Timber Pizza Co. and Urbano Mexican Fare, both of which expanded into Annapolis. - Rise Up Coffee Roasters and RAR Brewing’s Chessie’s Wharf, which grew their presence on the “Western Shore” in Severna Park and West Annapolis. - Locally owned Always Ice Cream Company and In Grano, which continued their Anne Arundel County expansion with new locations in Crofton and West Annapolis. Thanks to these businesses for choosing to grow their presence - and create lots of jobs - in Anne Arundel!

Funding alert! The Maryland Energy Administration has announced the Fiscal Year 2025 launch of the Jane E. Lawton Conservation Loan Program – an initiative that provides low-interest loans ranging from $10,000 to $500,000 to Maryland businesses, local governments, and state agencies for projects that promote energy efficiency, clean energy use, and emissions reductions. Applications are now open and funds will be awarded on a first-come, first-served basis, so learn more and apply today! Click here to learn more: https://lnkd.in/d2HdTMz3

AAEDC was proud to sponsor the Central Maryland Chamber of Commerce’s Economic Summit last week, November 7, at the Maryland Jockey Club. Many members of our team enjoyed hearing an update on U.S. Army Garrison Fort George G. Meade from Colonel Yolanda Franklin, Ph.D., PHR, a Regional Tourism Panel featuring Visit Annapolis & Anne Arundel County Executive Director Kristen Pironis, and a keynote address by BWI Thurgood Marshall Airport (BWI) Executive Director Ricky Smith – as well as an engaging panel discussion about the current state of the region’s economy and prospects for growth featuring our very own President & CEO, Amy Gowan!? Thanks to CMC and all the participants for collaborating on such an impactful event!