ucts and services required by the Department. The
Division also provides mailroom services, monitors
the use of departmental motor vehicles, and main-
tains liaison with building management on upkeep
of grounds and facilities. Requests for proposals
and contract awards are reviewed by the Division
for compliance with State purchasing regulations.
Additionally, the Division coordinates data and
word processing, operates the Department's central
computer, and analyzes labor market information.

DIVISION OF BUSINESS
RESOURCES

Audrey S. Theis, Ph.D., Assistant Secretary

217 East Redwood St.
Baltimore, MD 21202 (410) 333-1036

The Division of Business Resources was formed
in 1991. Under the Division are four programs:
Business Assistance; Small Business Development
Center Network; Apprenticeship; and Technology
Commercialization.

ADVISORY COMMITTEE ON MANUFACTURING
Staff: Audrey S. Theis, Ph.D. (410) 333-1036
Mitchell Horowitz (410) 333-6901

The Advisory Committee on Manufacturing was
formed by the Department in 1992. The Committee
examines Maryland's manufacturing base of small- to
medium-sized firms and makes recommendations to
the Governor and General Assembly on how to
strengthen that base. The Committee particularly is
concerned with issues of regulation (compliance with
environmental policies, occupational safety, applica-
tion of regulations); modernization (technology, total
quality management, workforce preparation); and fi-
nancing (availability of capital, Department financial
assistance programs).
Appointed by the Secretary of Economic and
Employment Development, the Committee's
members represent the manufacturing business
community, the General Assembly, education agen-
cies, labor, and State government.

BUSINESS ASSISTANCE
Alan Kutz, Executive Director
(410) 333-6975

In 1991, functions of the Maryland Business
Assistance Center, formerly under the Division of
Business Development, were reorganized as the
Office of Business Assistance under the Division of
Business Resources. The Office became the Busi-
ness Assistance Program in 1993.
Through four regional offices. Business Assis-
tance works directly with Maryland businesses. It
serves as liaison to the many State programs and

services designed to enhance the competitiveness of
Maryland businesses. Business Assistance also over-
sees the Maryland Industrial Training Program, and
serves as an advocate for business in dealing with
government-related issues and problems.

PARTNERSHIP FOR WORKFORCE QUALITY
ADVISORY BOARD
Vacancy, Chairperson
(410) 333-6975

The Partnership for Workforce Quality Advisory
Board was formed in 1989, when the Partnership for
Workforce Quality Program was established within
the Department of Economic and Employment De-
velopment (Chapter 292, Acts of 1989). The Pro-
gram provides training services to improve the
competitiveness and productivity of Maryland's work-
ers and businesses, upgrade employee skills for new
technologies or production processes, and help Mary-
land businesses promote employment stability.
The Board consults with the Work Force Invest-
ment Board and advises the Secretary of Economic
and Employment Development concerning the
Program. With advice from the Secretary of Eco-
nomic and Employment Development and the
Chairperson of the Work Force Investment Board,
the Governor appoints the Board's fifteen members
to three-year terms (Code 1957, Art. 83A, secs.
3-501 through 3-504).

SMALL BUSINESS DEVELOPMENT
CENTER NETWORK
Woodrow McCutchen, Director
(410) 333-6995

The Small Business Development Center Net-
work is a cooperative venture of the Department of
Economic and Employment Development and the
U.S. Small Business Administration. The Network
originated as the Small Business Development Cen-
ter Program formed within the Department in 1989
(Chapter 497, Acts of 1989). The Program became
the Office of Small Business Development in 1992,
and was reformed as the Small Business Develop-
ment Center Network later that year.
Through five regional offices, the Network co-
ordinates extension services for small businesses
throughout the State. The Network fosters the
economic growth and revitalization of small and
historically disadvantaged businesses in Maryland
(Code 1957, Art. 83A, secs. 5-201, 5-202).

ADVISORY BOARD
John Hess, Jr., Chairperson

The Advisory Board of the Small Business De-
velopment Center Program was created in 1989
(Chapter 497, Acts of 1989). Serving as a general
advocate for small businesses, the Board advises the