PARRIS N. GLENDENING, Governor                                 Ch. 120

[2-103.] 3-202.

The [Division] OFFICE shall:

(1)     Investigate and assemble information pertinent to the economic
development, industrial opportunities and economic resources of the State, including raw
materials, power and water resources, transportation facilities, markets, labor, banking
and financing facilities, industrial sites and other fields of research;

(2)     Encourage location AND DEVELOPMENT of new [industrial] BUSINESS
enterprises in the State and the retention and expansion of present enterprises in
coordination with local governing bodies and local economic development agencies;

(3)     Coordinate its activities with those of the Division of Tourism and
Promotion in the promotion of tourism in the State;

(4)     Encourage formation of local and sectional development committees
and cooperate with local civic groups and other local, State and federal development
agencies;

(5)     Disseminate information in the interest of industrial development in this
State, by publication, advertising and other means;

(6)      ASSIST BUSINESSES IN THE AREAS OF TECHNOLOGY DEVELOPMENT
AND COMMERCIALIZATION, SMALL BUSINESS DEVELOPMENT, WORKFORCE
DEVELOPMENT AND PRODUCTIVITY, MANUFACTURING MODERNIZATION, AND
DEFENSE CONVERSION;

(7)      SERVE AS OMBUDSMEN FOR BUSINESSES AFFECTED BY STATE
POLICIES AND PROGRAMS;

(8)      COORDINATE BUSINESS ASSISTANCE SERVICE DELIVERY TO
INDIVIDUAL COMPANIES;

(9)      LINK GROUPS OF BUSINESSES TO ADDRESS REGIONAL AND
INDUSTRY SPECIFIC NEEDS;

(10)    BROKER INFORMATION EXCHANGE AND ENTREPRENEURIAL
SERVICES THAT ENHANCE ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT THROUGH PARTNERSHIPS
WITH BUSINESSES, NONPROFIT ORGANIZATIONS, PROFESSIONAL GROUPS, LOCAL
ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT ENTITIES, AND LOCAL GOVERNMENTS;

(11)    ASSIST IN DEVELOPING AND CONDUCTING REGIONAL STRATEGIC
PLANNING AND COORDINATING STATE INVESTMENTS WITH REGIONAL ECONOMIC
DEVELOPMENT ENTITIES;

[(6)](12) Collect and assemble information and data available from other
state agencies and departments; [and]

(13) MONITOR ECONOMIC CONDITIONS, RELEASE REPORTS, AND
MAINTAIN INTER-INDUSTRY MODELS OF STATE REGULATIONS AND LOCAL
ECONOMIES; AND

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