HARRY HUGHES, Governor

1603

(A) (1) THE SECRETARY SHALL APPOINT A DIRECTOR OF THE
OFFICE, AN ASSISTANT DIRECTOR, AND OTHER PERSONNEL AS
REQUIRED.

(2)  THE DIRECTOR SHALL BE KNOWLEDGEABLE IN
BUSINESS INVESTMENT AND FINANCE, AND SHALL DEVELOP AND
MAINTAIN CONTINUAL LIAISON WITH MAJOR FINANCIAL INSTITUTIONS
AND FEDERAL AGENCIES.

(3)  THE ASSISTANT DIRECTOR SHALL BE
KNOWLEDGEABLE IN BUSINESS ADMINISTRATION AND MANAGEMENT, AND
SHALL DEVELOP AND MAINTAIN CONTINUAL LIAISON WITH MAJOR
BUSINESS AND INDUSTRIAL CONCERNS.

(B) (1) THE DIRECTOR SHALL DESIGNATE ONE STATE PUBLIC
INSTITUTION OF HIGHER EDUCATION IN EACH MAJOR REGION OF THE
STATE TO SERVE AS SMALL BUSINESS EXTENSION SERVICE CENTER.

(2)  ONE CENTER SHALL BE DESIGNATED IN EACH OF
THE FOLLOWING REGIONS:

(I)  WESTERN: GARRETT, ALLEGANY,
WASHINGTON, FREDERICK, AND CARROLL COUNTIES;

(II)  CENTRAL: ANNE ARUNDEL, CALVERT,
CHARLES, ST. MARY'S, MONTGOMERY, PRINCE GEORGE'S, HOWARD,
AND BALTIMORE, HARFORD, AND ANNE ARUNDEL COUNTIES AND
BALTIMORE CITY; AND

(III) SOUTHERN: MONTGOMERY, PRINCE

GEORGE'S ANNE ARUNDEL, CALVERT, CHARLES, AND ST. MARY'S
COUNTIES; AND

(IV) (III) EASTERN: HARFORD, CECIL, KENT,
QUEEN ANNE'S, TALBOT, CAROLINE, DORCHESTER, WICOMICO,
SOMERSET, AND WORCESTER COUNTIES.; AND.

(V) SUBURBAN WASHINGTON: MONTGOMERY AND

PRINCE GEORGE'S COUNTIES.

(3)  EACH CENTER SHALL UTILIZE THE EXPERTISE OF
FACULTY MEMBERS AND STAFF, PUBLIC OFFICIALS, AND PRIVATE
RESOURCES TO PROVIDE EXTENSION SERVICES TO SMALL BUSINESSES
WITHIN ITS DESIGNATED REGION.

(4)  THE DIRECTOR SHALL COORDINATE WITH THE
OFFICIALS OF EACH DESIGNATED INSTITUTION TO EFFECTUATE THE
PURPOSES OF THIS SUBTITLE.

(C) THE OFFICE SHALL PROVIDE ASSISTANCE TO SMALL
BUSINESSES, EITHER DIRECTLY OR THROUGH THE CENTERS,
INCLUDING:

(1) OPERATION OF AN INFORMATION EXCHANGE
COVERING CURRENT AND NEW TECHNICAL INFORMATION AND DATA
CONCERNING BUSINESS INVESTMENT AND MARKETING TRENDS IN THIS