HARRY HUGHES, Governor                                      2759

WHEREAS, The General Assembly recognizes the need to
establish the Maryland Small Business Extension Service Center
Program; now, therefore,

SECTION 1. BE IT ENACTED BY THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF
MARYLAND, That the Laws of Maryland read as follows:

Article 41 - Governor - Executive and Administrative Departments

MARYLAND SMALL BUSINESS EXTENSION SERVICE CENTER PROGRAM

266FF-1.

(A)  (1) THERE IS A MARYLAND SMALL BUSINESS EXTENSION
SERVICE CENTER PROGRAM WITHIN THE DEPARTMENT OF ECONOMIC AND
COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT.

(2) THE DEPARTMENT SHALL FOSTER, SUPPORT, AND ASSIST
THE ECONOMIC GROWTH AND REVITALIZATION OF SMALL BUSINESS IN
MARYLAND BY COORDINATING THE EFFORTS OF SMALL BUSINESS EXTENSION
SERVICES THROUGHOUT THE STATE.

(B)  (1) IN THIS SUBTITLE THE FOLLOWING TERMS HAVE THE
MEANINGS INDICATED.

(2)  "PROGRAM" MEANS THE MARYLAND SMALL BUSINESS
EXTENSION SERVICE CENTER PROGRAM.

(3)  "SECRETARY" MEANS THE SECRETARY OF THE DEPARTMENT
OF ECONOMIC AND COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT.

(4)  "SMALL BUSINESS" MEANS ANY MARYLAND BUSINESS
CONCERN THAT IS INDEPENDENTLY OWNED AND OPERATED AND IS NOT
DOMINANT IN ITS FIELD OR INDUSTRY.

266FF-2.

(A) (1) THE SECRETARY SHALL APPOINT A DIRECTOR OF THE
PROGRAM AND OTHER PERSONNEL AS REQUIRED.

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

(B) (A) (1) THE SECRETARY SHALL CONTRACT WITH A PUBLIC
AGENCY, AN INSTITUTION OF HIGHER EDUCATION, OR A PRIVATE
CONTRACTOR IN EACH MAJOR REGION OF THE STATE TO SERVE AS A SMALL
BUSINESS EXTENSION SERVICE CONTRACTOR.

(2) ONE CONTRACTOR SHALL BE RETAINED WITHIN EACH OF
THE FOLLOWING REGIONS: