DECEMBER 8

Mitchellville, MD – Maryland’s lending community needs to do more to ensure that business owners have access to the capital they need to innovate and grow, Secretary Skinner said during a small business fair hosted on Dec. 7 by Rep. Donna F. Edwards.

“Governor O’Malley frequently talks about the importance of all of us coming together as One Maryland to jumpstart our economy and create and preserve jobs,” Secretary Skinner told the gathering. “There is no question in my mind that our small business owners are ready to do this. But I submit that it is now time for our lending institutions to understand and accept their responsibilities.”

Rep. Edwards, the fourth district congresswoman, convened the seminar so that minority and small business owners – as well as lenders – could learn about DHCD’s neighborhood revitalization programs such as the Maryland Capital Access program, Neighborhood BusinessWorks and Linked Deposit. Secretary Skinner urged participants to visit Governor O’Malley’s website to learn more about why he has made small business development a cornerstone of his administration; or to visit the websites of the Maryland Department of Housing and Community Development and the Maryland Department of Business and Economic Development to learn more.

To see more pictures from this and other events, visit Mdhousing on Flickr.com.