MyCity4Her is proud to sponsor a range of great causes and organizations – the core of our support centers on helping out things that are specifically related to helping support, grow and empower women owned businesses. One of our favorite such causes is NAWBO BRC – or the Baltimore Regional Chapter of NAWBO. Our founder and CCO sat on the board of NAWBO locally for four years and was a member of the prestigious National Board Selection Committee which elected the National NAWBO (National Association of Women Business Owners) board back in 2012.
NAWBO’s mission is simple…but critical to the advancement and vibrancy of women owned business. Women owned businesses are a leading driver of the economy.
One of NAWBO’s most important role is as public policy advocates. The local Chapter’s Public Policy Chair (and former Chapter President) is entrepreneur and attorney – L. Content Mc Laughlin and she has contributed the following updates through NAWBO BRC that may be relevant and/or important to your business.
According to NAWBO BRC – in terms of Maryland Public Policy Updates – here’s what you should be aware of:
Now that the 2013 Legislative Session has come to a close, we would like to share with you a list of a few of the bills that passed:
Taxes
SB 631 passed – clarifies that the County Hotel/Motel tax should not be applied to corporate training centers, such as the Lockheed Martin training center in Montgomery County.
HB 1209/SB 436 passed – increases the Indemnity Deeds of Trust (IDOT) recordation tax exemption threshold from $1M to $3M and clarifies how recordation taxes should be applied to IDOTs by the counties.
HB 372/SB 202 passed – expands the current exemption for transfers between business entities within a corporation from the transfer tax to “business entities” which includes, partnerships, limited partnerships, limited liability companies, and corporations.
Economic Development
The Governor’s Employment Advancement Right Now (EARN) Program (HB 227/SB 274) passed – creates a competitive grant process for workforce training collaborations between businesses, local government, and non-profits.
HB 386/SB 203 passed – increases the mandated appropriation for the Research & Development Tax Credit Program from $6 million to $8 million annually and the ability of small businesses to receive a refundable tax credit under this program.
HB 803 passed – creates a tax credit program to promote investment in CyberSecurity companies.
HB 328/SB 779 passed – clarifies the duration which a company is eligible for the biotechnology tax credit program
Procurement
HB 48 passed – removing non-profits from the definition of minority business enterprise in the MBE program.
If you listen to MyCity4HerRadio, yesterday April 16, 2013 you may have heard Monyka Berrocosa (our founder and CCO) talking to Julie R. Weeks, the CEO of Womenable and the principal research advisor to American Express Open (to listen to the podcast click here or on the image to the right)- regarding their influential “State of Women Owned Businesses” report that was just released last April 4, 2013 (to view the 2013 Amex Report on the State of Women Owned Business click here.)
To view past reports click below:
Amex State of Women Owned Business 2012– When Metropolitain areas were added
Amex State of Women Owned Business 2011 – The inaugural year of the report
NAWBO plays a vital role in the nurturing and success of women-owned businesses, with this in mind NAWBO BRC has a wonderful event coming up next week that is centered and focused on educating women business owners about procurement and certification. The event takes place on Tuesday April 23, 2013 and will be held at the Double Tree Hilton in Pikesville. To register or for more information – click here.