Maryland Gov. O’Malley gets recommendations from task force to help small businesses

Md. group submits ideas to help small businesses

ANNAPOLIS, Md. — A state task force has submitted recommendations to Maryland Gov. Martin O’Malley to help small businesses and create jobs.

The Governor’s Task Force on Small Business highlighted five recommendations in the report Wednesday.

One of them would extend the state’s Small Business Reserve Program, which requires 24 state agencies to fill 10 percent of total procurement dollars with qualified small businesses.

The group also suggests revamping state financing programs to compliment federal and private sector opportunities for small businesses.

The task force says the state should create a Maryland Small Business Commission.

Earlier this week, O’Malley outlined a legislative agenda to help small businesses, including a $3,000 tax credit for each unemployed person hired by businesses.