Resource Partners

One of MCE's primary strengths is its ability to forge broad cooperative contacts and partnerships in the community. These collaborations contribute to outreach efforts, aid in targeting businesses within the market, contribute a substantial amount of technical assistance and lead to further contacts. Below is a list of some of MCE’s cooperative partnerships.

1.Salisbury Area Chamber of Commerce – Being housed within the Chamber’s premises ensures constant interaction between MCE’s clientele and the local business community. The Chamber also provides MCE with referrals to those who are looking to start a small business or need start up capital.

2.Small Business Development Center at Salisbury University - This partnership includes a cooperative 8-week training program for MCE along with Wor-Wic Community College.

3.Salisbury SCORE Chapter – MCE and SCORE work closely together to ensure mutual client needs are met by co-counseling clients, providing appropriate referrals for funding and hosting joint training sessions.

4. Lower Shore Workforce Alliance (LSWA) – LSWA and MCE have joined together to provide a FREE business training and educational course to the unemployed residents and start up businesses in the Wicomico County.

5. University of Maryland Eastern Shore (UMES) – Since program conception, UMES has provided donation of staff time and grant efforts, ensuring the fruition of MCE; and through its Rural Development Office, made referrals to MCE.

6. Micro-Enterprise Council of Maryland (MCM) – MCE has partnered with MCM to set up a ‘Business Resource Center’ for MCE’s clients as part of a technical assistance service. MCM also provides resources such as mini-grants and training grants. Currently MCM has partnered with MCE to provide small business services to the Crisfield area.

7. Regional, county, and state economic development departments and business development agencies – MCE has established cooperative contact with Economic Development Offices of the four lower counties (Somerset, Wicomico, Worcester and Dorchester) regarding their Comprehensive Economic Development Strategy to insure that micro-enterprise development is part of their economic and business development. MCE also administers the loan funds for 3 of the counties small business clients.

Hayley Gallagher, Executive Director, Maryland Capital Enterprises, Inc. and Brad Bellacicco, Executive Director Salisbury Area Chamber of Commerce

"In these tough economic times people starting new endeavors could really benefit from MCE's critical small business training, support and loans". Bradley A. Bellacicco Executive Director Salisbury Area Chamber of Commerce