Ch. 311

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:

(i) Western: Garrett, Allegany, Washington,
Frederick, and Carroll counties;

(ii) Central: Howard and Baltimore counties and
Baltimore City;

(iii) Southern: Anne Arundel, Calvert, Charles,
and St. Mary's counties;

(iv) 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 contractor shall utilize the expertise of
successful business persons, educational institutions, public
officials, the Federal Small Business Administration, and other
private or public resources to provide extension services to
small businesses within the designated region.

(4) The Department shall coordinate with the
contractors for each designated area to effectuate the purposes
of this subtitle.

(b) (1) The Secretary shall appoint a panel of 11 members
to advise the Secretary on the criteria and selection of
contractors.

(2) The panel shall consist of the following
representatives and represent all regions under subsection (a) of
this section:

(1) [A designee] 3 REPRESENTATIVES of the
Department;

[(ii) 2 representatives of the Department of
Economic and Community Development Advisory Commission;

(iii)] (II) 1 representative from the Maryland
Chamber of Commerce who owns a small business, as defined under
this [subheading] SUBTITLE;                                                         

[(iv)] (III) 1 representative of the National
Federation of Independent Business,, who shall reside in Maryland
and who shall be employed, by, or own, a small business;

LAWS OF MARYLAND

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