The Maryland Small Business Development Center (SBDC)

The Maryland Small Business Development Center (SBDC) Network provides small business owners with access to trusted business advisors who have experience in starting and growing businesses. They offer expertise and keen insight essential to helping owners manage their concerns today, and design solid long-range plans to secure their visions of tomorrow.

The Maryland SBDC is an accredited member of a national network. In addition to their support of small business development, the SBDC is also accredited to provide intellectual property and technology commercialization assistance to businesses in the Hi Tech industry.

Mr. Mark Wells is the dedicated Maryland SBDC Business Consultant and Trainer for the City of Bowie and Prince George’s County. Mr. Wells has over 20 years of banking and business management consulting. He is also a long-term City of Bowie resident and a graduate of Bowie State University.

The SBDC's office hours are 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Tuesday, Wednesday and Friday at the Bowie Innovation Center (Bowie BIC) at Bowie State University, and Thursday at Bowie City Hall from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m.  Mr. Wells can be reached at 240-714-7223 or by email. You can also visit their website to learn more about SBDC's capabilities and view their diverse business training calendar.

The Maryland Women’s Business Center (MWBC)

The Maryland Women’s Business Center (MWBC) helps start, sustain, and grow women-owned enterprises. Its vision is to be a regional leader in building successful and innovative women-owned enterprises that stimulate job growth and overall economic development. MWBC is part of a network for over 100 Women’s Business Centers (WBCs) nationwide that work to secure economic justice and entrepreneurial opportunities for women by offering training, mentoring, business development and access to financing opportunities, MWBC helps women succeed in business.

Ms. Angie Duncanson is MWBC’s Senior Business Counselor and Trainer for Prince George’s County. She has over 10 years of experience in the field of economic/business development having worked as a Small Business Specialist for Prince George’s County Economic Development Corporation and as a Business Consultant/Trainer for Maryland Small Business & Technology Development Center.

The MWBC’s office hours are Monday through Friday from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. They are located at the Bowie Business Innovation Center (Bowie BIC), Bowie State University, 14000 Jericho Park Road, Suite 2312, Bowie, MD 20715. Please contact Ms. Duncanson for an appointment at 301-383-1550 ext.104 and/or angie@marylandwbc.org.  Walk-ins are not recommended.  Visit their website and look for training information under the “Services” tab.

Maryland APEX Accelerator

Th Maryland APEX Accelerator (formerly Procurement Technical Assistance Center or PTAC) mission is to assist Maryland businesses prepare for and engage in the procurement process with federal, state and local government agencies.  Its program is funded in part by the Department of Defense Office of Small Business Programs, the Maryland Department of Commerce, the University of Maryland, the City of Bowie, Harford County and other local partners. 

A business is eligible to receive counseling services from the MD APEX Accelerator, provided that it has a product or service that has a reasonable expectation of being procured under government contract. There is no cost to the business owner who receives counseling. Services include, but are not limited to: 

• Information on federal/state/local procurement actions;
• Advice for obtaining and responding to solicitations;
• Market research to identify government agencies who buy your products or services; 
• Help in identifying subcontracting opportunities and procurement resources; 
• Assist in understanding government policies and regulations; 
• Pre/post-award contract assistance; and
• Assistance with all government registrations. 

The MD APEX Accelerator provides counseling staff every Tuesday from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. to assist businesses with government contracting at Bowie City Hall (appointment is required) and at the Bowie Business Incubator located at Bowie State University. For more information on how to register to become a client, go to the MD APEX Accelerator website.

The Maryland APEX Accelerator is headquartered at the University of Maryland, 5835 University Research Court, Suite 1300, College Park, MD 20740. Their phone number is 301-405-6550.