There are many opportunities to provide goods and services to the various agencies that are relocating to Maryland as part of the U.S. Dept. of Defense Base Realignment & Closure (BRAC). But you need to know who to contact and how to contact them. If you want to learn more about the defense contracting environment and want a great opportunity to network with other companies in this arena consider joining the BRAC Business Initiative (BBI).

To become a BBI "Partner Company", you must provide the information below to have your company entered into the BBI Database:

• Company Name
• Primary Point of Contact
• Contact Information (address, phone, cell, fax, email, and company website)
• Company Capability Statement
• Top 3 Goods or Services Your Company Sells
• Top 3 Goods or Services Your Company Buys

There is no fee or obligation to join the BBI. By providing your information for the database, you will be added to the email distribution list and receive regular updates on BBI meetings and contracting opportunities.

Primary BBI contact: Raj Kudchadkar, Esq., Deputy Director, Howard County BRAC Office; 410-313-6376.

The Baltimore Business Journal's "2010 Book of Lists" features many Carroll County companies and organizations that rank highly in their respective industries. Eldersburg based America’s Remote Help Desk (ARHD) enjoys the distinction of being named one of the “Best Places to Work” for a micro-business (under 25 employees) and ARHD is also recognized as one of the “Largest Network System Integrators”.

Seven out of the top 25 “Largest Manufacturers in the Baltimore Area” are either headquartered in or have a division located in Carroll County. We are proud to be home to: Northrop Grumman Corporation Electronic Systems, Black & Decker Corporation (Powdered Metals Division), Solo Cup Company (Distribution Center), Joseph A. Bank Clothiers, Inc. (Corporate HQ and Distribution Center), General Dynamics Robotics Systems (Corporate HQ, Engineering, Manufacturing and Distribution Center), English American Tailoring Company and EVAPCO, Inc. (Corporate HQ, Manufacturing, Research & Development Control Center, and Distribution Center).

We are especially pleased to note that GSE Systems, Inc. now based in Eldersburg is featured as the fifth “Fastest-Growing Public Company” in the Baltimore area. GSE, a provider of simulation and training services to the power, manufacturing and government industries, moved to Carroll in 2008 and has continued its aggressive growth trend.

In a unified effort to market the Greater Baltimore region as a great place to do business, the Economic Alliance of Greater Baltimore, (EAGB), of which Carroll is an active partner, produced a “Promoting Greatness” video that you can view and share.

Please feel free to send the video to interested partners and share the link via your company website.