Project Opportunity: Free Entrepreneur Training for Veterans

By PRESS OFFICER
Project Opportunity

Is Entrepreneurship the right choice for you?

Do you have a business idea but not sure where to start?

Do you have a business and want to take it to the next level?

 
Want to know more? Register for the Project Opportunity Prince George’s Spring 2025 Orientation Session which will be held on Thursday, February 20, 2025 from 6:30–8:30 p.m. at Prince George’s Community College Lanham Hall (Room 203), 301 Largo Road, Largo, Maryland

www.projectopportunity.com/class/registration

Attendance at the Orientation Session is a mandatory step in our application process. If you are interested in this class but unable to attend you must contact Program Director Joe Giordano, joe.giordano@project-opportunity.com

Classes begin Thursday March 13, 2025. Project Opportunity is an intensive curriculum based 10-week cohort program. The Spring 2025 program will meet every Thursday, March 13–May 15, 2025, from 6:30–9:30 p.m. at Prince George’s Community College, Lanham Hall, Room 203. Sponsored By PenFed Foundation this program is free to all veterans. The curriculum and material are facilitated by small business professionals and subject matter experts. The program concludes with a formal business pitch and Graduation Ceremony on Wednesday May 22, 2025.

Thank You to Our Class Sponsor: PenFed Foundation

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Acting Prince George’s County Executive Tara H. Jackson and Prince George’s County Council Issue Joint Statement on Senior Property Tax Credit Bill

By PRESS OFFICER
Prince George’s County Maryland
 
LARGO, Md. (Dec.10, 2024)—Acting Prince George’s County Executive Tara H. Jackson and the Prince George’s County Council are pleased to announce a collaborative effort to refine and improve upon the goals outlined in the Senior Property Tax Credit Bill passed by Council in November. While the bill, CB-007-2024 (DR2), reflects important intentions, the Acting County Executive and Council collectively recognize the need for revisions to ensure its clarity, fiscal responsibility, and ease of implementation.

To achieve this, the Acting County Executive and Legislative Branch will work together to draft a new bill that prioritizes:

• Clarity for applicants,

• Administrative feasibility,

• Fiscal responsibility, and

• Equitable access for our senior residents who need assistance the most.

This partnership will result in improved legislation to be introduced at the beginning of the 2025 Council legislative session. As part of this process, the Acting County Executive and Legislative Branch will submit a Joint Resolution to suspend CB-007-2024 (DR2) while finalizing the revised legislation.

Acting County Executive Jackson will neither sign nor veto CB-007-2024 (DR2), allowing for this collaborative path forward.

This effort underscores a shared dedication to crafting solutions that best serve the residents of Prince George’s County. The Acting County Executive and County Council remain committed to working together to ensure the well-being and support of our senior community.

Read the joint letter from the Acting County Executive and County Council at https://www.princegeorgescountymd.gov/sites/default/files/media-document/Joint%20Letter%20-%20Senior%20Tax%20Credit%20Bill%20Update%20%28with%20signatures%29.pdf

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Governor Moore Announces Maryland Soft Landing Exchange Business Incubator and Accelerator Program Now Open
 
By PRESS OFFICER
Office of the Governor

ANNAPOLIS, Md. (Dec. 9, 2024)—Governor Wes Moore today announced that applications are being accepted for the Maryland Soft Landing Exchange Program, which allows Maryland companies to explore international markets at a reduced cost by connecting them with business incubators and accelerators abroad. The program, administered by the Maryland Department of Commerce, is designed to support companies who are ready to expand their existing export capabilities, and serves as an important enhancement to existing state export assistance.

“Maryland companies are some of the most exciting and innovative businesses in the world, and this terrific new program will help them grow by connecting them to international partners and markets,” said Gov. Moore. “Not only will this help those businesses, but it will boost Maryland’s competitiveness by showing the world what we have to offer.”

The program connects participants to a network of organizations in strategic markets around the world who will host the Maryland companies and provide access to facilities, resources, networking, advisors, and more. The list of partners, which is expected to expand in the coming months, includes:

• Cicada Innovations (Australia)

• EuraTechnologies (France)

• Guinness Enterprise Centre (Ireland)

• InnovationQuarter (Netherlands)

• Kanagawa Science Park (Japan)

• Plexal (United Kingdom)

• Shonan iPark (Japan)

Participating Maryland companies are also eligible to apply for grants of up to $10,000 to help offset costs associated with this program. These funds can be used to cover travel, lodging, transportation, and the cost of participating in the partner program.

“The Maryland Soft Landing Exchange Program represents a new opportunity for Maryland companies to expand and grow,” said Maryland Department of Commerce Secretary Kevin Anderson. “Maryland Commerce is excited to help these businesses connect with international clients and share their products, services, and innovations with the world.”

Applications are open now. Additional details, including webinar registration and eligibility terms, are available through commerce.maryland.gov

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MONEY
Now Is the Time to Set Your Financial Resolutions for 2025

(StatePoint) January is a time for setting goals, new habits and fresh starts.

Here are five financial New Year’s resolutions you can set for yourself, along with how a CERTIFIED FINANCIAL PLANNER® professional can help you achieve them:

Boost your financial IQ: Financial literacy is critical to building wealth. It will help you break bad habits and make better choices. From managing debt to investing, a CFP® professional can educate you on potential strategies for reaching your goals. When you work together to execute those strategies, you’ll do so with a clear understanding.

Plan for the future: Because of compound interest, the right time to get serious about your investments and savings is always as soon as possible. If you’ve delayed this goal, make 2025 the year to open or increase your retirement account contributions. Your CFP® professional can make recommendations for what type of accounts to open. They can also help you calculate how much you need to contribute monthly to have the retirement you desire and to meet your other long-term goals.

Reduce your tax burden: It’s not too early to begin planning for tax season. Work with your advisor to use tax-advantaged investments and deductions to keep more of your money next year.

Review your insurance policies: Figuring out whether you have the right types of insurance coverage in place and in the proper amounts can be tricky. Review your policies with your CFP® professional to better understand this important aspect of your overall financial plan.

Make a budget: Whether you’re currently spending more than you earn or earning more than you spend, creating and adhering to a budget is the best way to get smart about your finances. If you’re in a net deficit, you can look to your budget to identify where you can reasonably reduce expenses, or alternatively, boost your income. Your budget can also show where to direct any surplus.

You can find a CFP® professional by visiting LetsMakeAPlan.org.

This new year, let a financial advisor trained to examine every facet of your finances help you get your ducks in a row.

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