other State services, to resources available for pro-
ductivity and training needs assessments, and to
training curricula and resources for curriculum de-
velopment.

OFFICE OF REGULATORY &
ENVIRONMENTAL ASSISTANCE

The Office of Regulatory and Environmental
Assistance was created in 1993 to facilitate commu-
nication between the business community and gov-
ernment. The Office has two branches: Business
Relations Coordination, and Policy Coordination.

BUSINESS RELATIONS COORDINATION
William D. Castleberry, Business Relations
Coordinator
(410) 767-6492

Business Relations Coordination acts as a gen-
eral ombudsman for business. This branch works
on a transactional basis, facilitating communica-
tions between government and individual busi-
nesses. It also expedites the permit process when
possible and responds to policy concerns of the
business community.

POLICY COORDINATION
Ernie A. Kent, Policy Coordinator
(410) 767-6488

Policy Coordination reviews all proposed legis-
lation and analyzes its impact on economic devel-
opment and policies which benefit economic
growth. The branch works closely with the General
Assembly. It also is responsible for working with
State regulatory agencies to evaluate and report on
duplicative permits and policies, as well as any State
regulations which exceed current federal standards.

SMALL BUSINESS DEVELOPMENT
CENTERS
A. Thomas McLamore, Director
(410) 767-6557

Small Business Development Centers is a coop-
erative venture of the Department of Business and
Economic Development and the U.S. Small Busi-
ness Administration. The office started as the Small
Business Development Center Program formed
within the Department in 1989 (Chapter 497, Acts
of 1989). The Program became the Office of Small
Business Development in 1992 and was reformed
as the Small Business Development Center Net-
work later that year. It was renamed Small Business
Development Centers in 1995.
Through five regional offices, the office coordi-
nates extension services for small businesses through-
out the State. The office fosters the economic growth
and revitalization of small Maryland businesses owned
by socially and economically disadvantaged persons
(Code 1957, Art. 83A, secs. 3-501, 3-502).

ADVISORY BOARD

Arthur D. Ebersberger, Chair

The Small Business Development Center Network
Advisory Board was created in 1989 (Chapter 497,
Acts of 1989). Serving as a general advocate for small
businesses, the Board advises the Secretary of Business
and Economic Development on the Program.
The Secretary of Business and Economic Devel-
opment appoints the Board's seventeen members.

DIVISION OF TOURISM,
FILM, & THE ARTS

R. Dean Kenderdine, Assistant Secretary
for Tourism, Film, & the Arts

217 East Redwood St.
Baltimore, MD 21202—3316 (410) 767-6266

The Division of Tourism, Film, and the Arts
began in 1948 as the Department of Information
under the Hall of Records Commission. The de-
partment became an independent agency in 1949.
In 1959, it was reorganized as the Tourist Devel-
opment and Publicity Division within the Depart-
ment of Economic Development. When the
Department of Economic and Community Devel-
opment formed, the Division was renamed the
Tourism Division in 1970, the Division of Tourist
Development by 1973, and the Tourist Develop-
ment Office by 1981. By 1989, the Office reorgan-
ized as part of the Division of Tourism and
Promotion. It received its present name in 1996
(Chapter 321, Acts of 1996).
The Division promotes Maryland as a travel
destination to domestic and international markets.
The Division also supports the performing, visual
and creative arts and promotes Maryland as a loca-
tion for film and television production. Under the
Division are the Maryland State Arts Council, the
Motion Picture and Television Development Of-
fice, and the Office of Tourism Development.

MARYLAND STATE ARTS COUNCIL
Arthur L. S. Waxter, Chair, 1998
James J. Backas, Executive Director
J. Charles Camp, State Folklorist

601 North Howard St.
Baltimore, MD 21201 (410) 333-8232

The Maryland State Arts Council originated as the
Governor's Council on the Arts in Maryland, estab-
lished by Executive Order in 1966. It became the
Maryland State Arts Council in 1967 (Chapter 644,
Acts of 1967). Formerly under the Department of
Economic and Community Development, the Coun-
cil joined the Department of Economic and Employ-
ment Development in 1987 (Chapter 311, Acts of