Two appointed to Economic Development Commission

The Carroll County Economic Development Commission (EDC) meets monthly to discuss important business development issues. The thirteen-member board is committed to increasing commercial and industrial growth and growing local employment opportunities. The Carroll County Board of Commissioners recently appointed two new EDC board members and re-appointed four additional members.

Diane Foster, a Taneytown Councilwoman and resident, represents the Maryland Municipal League on the EDC. Diane is a graduate of the Academy for Excellence in Local Governance and retired from the Social Security Administration after a 40 year public service career; her last 15 years was spent working in Public Affairs and Communications. Active in local and county organizations, Diane volunteers for numerous community non-profits and leads many activities to advance and promote Taneytown.

Dave O’Callaghan is the Director of Engineering, Power/Control Systems at the Northrop Grumman Corporation in Sykesville. Throughout his 27 year career, Dave has developed, led and managed numerous engineering teams to create new processes and focus on continuous improvement. His team consists of 125 employees who support three strategic business unit production lines with over 30 active programs.

We welcome Diane and Dave to the EDC. Their terms began July 1, 2010.

Current EDC board members that were re-appointed for an additional two-year term include: Wayne Barnes representing the Industrial Development Authority; EDC Vice-Chair Barbara Biller, President of Intellitech, Inc.; Kevin Kelbly, Carroll Hospital Center Chief Financial Officer/Senior Vice President of Corporate and Fiscal Affairs and Ethan Seidel, McDaniel College Vice President of Administration and Finance.

Rural Business Innovation Initiative (RBI²)
Carroll County technical assistant specialist Diane Ryan says “RBI² works in rural areas to identify companies that want to develop and commercialize or utilize new technologies. We work closely with the Carroll County Small Business Development Center and Economic Development to also provide comprehensive small business development services so the new ventures are successful.” For more information about RBI², please contact Diane at DRyan@marylandtedco.org.

The Innovate(R)
A new TEDCO marketing and outreach product, the Innovate(R) e-newsletter, provides a snapshot of the groundbreaking technologies supported by TEDCO’s various funding programs. If you want to know about Maryland technology transfer initiatives or to be considered for early-stage seed funding for a qualified technology project then you need to get to know TEDCO. Visit TEDCO's website to view The Innovate(R) and keep up to date on events and media announcements. 

Creating a profitable business that works for you is about changing the way you look at your business and how you run your business. SBDC has brought together three international coaching organizations (ActionCOACH, E-Myth Worldwide and The Alternative Board) to deliver an action-packed, 6-session group coaching program that is guaranteed to bridge the gap between frustration and a fruit-bearing business.
Session topics include: Roles of a Successful Business Owner...Development of Your Business Strategically...Development of Your Business with Systems...Build Your Network and Utilizing Your Network. Business owners will complete a "90 Day Action Plan".

What business owners are saying about the SBDC Business Development Network:

"The SBDC’s Business Development Network was a valuable experience for me and a worthwhile investment of my time.  I now have the means to carry on with working on improving my business for its benefit and my own." Dean R. Camlin AIA, LEED AP Dean Robert Camlin & Associates, Inc Westminster, MD “The atmosphere of the SBDC's Business Development Network was professional, motivating and encouraging as well as fun!  The 90-Day Action Plan is a fantastic tool to move our business ahead and keep on target to achieve the goals we set.  It is an excellent program!”  Cathy Schell Not So Big Oil, LLC New Windsor, MD

Applications are being accepted for the next Business Development Group that begins August 27th. Eligible applicants must be Carroll County business owners who have been in business 3+ years and have annual sales over $50,000.  Email Beth Woodring or call 410-386-2317 if you are interested in receiving an application.

Over 40 speakers are needed to give 2-3 forty-five minute presentations to ninth grade students at our local high schools. The basic message is that achievement in high school counts toward a successful career. Training sessions are scheduled on September 9th (see "Upcoming Events") and classroom presentations will be this fall. The training session will include the program background, a lesson plan and classroom handouts.

Please consider this wonderful opportunity to connect with students and show them that the business community cares about their future success. Individuals who are interested in receiving training and participating in the Maryland Business Roundtable for Education Achievement Counts Speakers Bureau can sign up online at www.mbrt.org.