(a) Definitions. As used in this Section:
Team means the Business Advancement Team.
Navigator means the Small Business Navigator designated by the Executive under subsection (c).
Small business means a privately owned business that meets the requirements of Section 11B-65(a). (b) Establishment of Team. The Executive must create and administer a Business Advancement Team that includes a Small Business Navigator. The Team must be part of the Office of the County Executive.
(c) Small Business Navigator. The Executive must designate an employee as the Small Business Navigator. Among other duties, the Navigator must:
(1) advise the Executive, the Council, the Chief Administrative Officer, County Department heads, the Planning Board, and any other appropriate government agency, of any action needed to assist small businesses to comply with County requirements and regulations;
(2) promote communications between a small business and each County department or agency that the small business must interact with;
(3) develop and maintain a database of information necessary for a small business to comply with County requirements and regulations;
(4) advise small businesses on how to comply with County requirements and regulations; and
(5) identify changes to regulations and requirements that would improve turnaround, eliminate duplication, resolve conflicts in authority, and eliminate unnecessary regulations and requirements.
(d) Additional duties for the Team. In addition to the duties of the Small Business Navigator described in subsection (c), the Team must:
(1) provide constituent services for businesses operating in the County or planning to operate in the County, including:
(A) communicating about new and revised County laws and regulations affecting County businesses;
(C) providing publications on County policies;
(D) operating workshops and conferences;
(E) convening targeted business events;
(F) providing oversight and leadership on business programs including:
(i) incubator management;
(ii) economic development incentives and financing programs;
(iii) business development projects; and
(iv) other business-related special initiatives;
(2) serve as a point of contact for County businesses seeking to comply with County requirements and regulations; and
(3) assist County businesses to interact with other State, County, and local government agencies.
(e) Reports. On or before September 15 of each year, the Executive must report to the Council on the activities and recommendations of the Team. (, § 1; , §1; 2020 L.M.C., ch. 17, §1.)
