Frederick, MD — Governor Martin O’Malley has appointed Frederick Mayor Randy McClement to the Governor’s Commission on Small Business. The 26 member Commission was formed upon recommendation of the Governor’s Task Force on Small Business and is charged with providing a forum for small businesses to articulate and address barriers to business growth. Small businesses represent more than 97% of all employers and more than 54% of the private sector workforce in Maryland.
“Small business is the foundation of Maryland’s economy. If we’re going to turn the corner from recovery to prosperity, we must continue to recognize that our progress as a State depends on the prosperity of small businesses,” said Governor O’Malley. The creation of this Commission will help our State identify barriers to assist small business development in our State.”
Mayor Randy McClement, a small business owner himself in the City of Frederick said, “I am honored and privileged to have been selected by Governor O’Malley to serve on this commission. I feel I bring a unique perspective that others may not have. First, for the past eleven years, my wife and I have owned and operated a small business in Frederick. I have the first-hand experience of the trials and tribulations that come with being a small business owner. Second, I have the privilege of serving as the Mayor of the great City of Frederick, and can represent the numerous established small businesses we have and are looking to attract.” The Mayor and his wife own The Market, a bagel and Deli shop at 36 S. Market in downtown Frederick.
Governor O’Malley will introduce the 26 members of the Small Business Commission on Friday, January 28th at the “Maryland Made Easy” business initiative to be held at DAP Products Inc., located at 2400 Boston Street in Baltimore, Maryland. The Commission consists of members appointed by the Governor, the Senate President and the Speaker of the House.
In addition to providing a forum for small businesses to articulate and address barriers to business growth, the Commission is responsible for recommending economic policy development measures to the Governor and General Assembly, overseeing the implementation of the Small Business Task Force, developing and recommending a standard definition of small business, advocating for full employment and skills upgrades to support business development and job creation in emerging and growth industries, identifying public/private partnership opportunities to supplement small business economic programs and financial incentives, and identifying methods to improve resource accessibility for small Minority Business Enterprises, among others. The Commission will submit an annual report to the Governor by June 30th of each year.
For information on small business resources and assistance or the Commission, contact the Department of Business and Economic Development at 410-767-6300 or visit www.ChooseMaryland.org