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Allegheny Power to close Cedar Ridge Road between Kemps Mill Road and Route 40 for 2-3 hours beginning at 9am on Friday, March 19, 2010

 

 

Document Modified:
1/8/07 10:19 AM

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Comments/Questions?

Community Calendar

Questions Frequently Asked by Businesses

 

Click on the questions to see the answers

How do I find out if I need a business license to start a home-based business?

Where do I get a liquor license?

  • Contact the Washington County Liquor Board at 301-797-4591.

Where is the County Commissioners' Office and when is their next meeting?

  • Office hours are 7:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m., Monday through Friday, excluding holidays.
  • The office is located on the second floor of the County Administration Building, Room 227, 100 West Washington Street, Hagerstown, Maryland.
  • The County Commissioners meet most Tuesdays at 8:30 a.m., with the exception of the last Tuesday of the month which is held in the evening beginning at 7:00 p.m.  Meetings are conducted in the Commissioners' Meeting Room, located beside the Commissioners' Office.
  • Schedule of Commissioners' Meetings
  • Agenda of the next meeting (usually posted the Friday before the meeting)
  • A map showing the location (courtesy of Mapquest.com)

Do you have any grant funding available?

  • The Washington County Community Partnership for Children and Youth does have grant funding available at various times of the year. For more information call 240-313-2090 .  Announcements for available funding are also posted on our http://www.wccp-online.org/.

How may I arrange to be on the Commissioners' weekly meeting agenda?

  • Request for an appointment on the Commissioners’ agenda should be made as soon as the need is known, even several months in advance.  Requests and presentations are to be reviewed and approved by a County department head.
  • Outside organizations and agencies are to be represented by a County department head, unless the County Administrator makes an exception.
  • An Agenda Report Form (ARF) must be submitted for all open and closed session topics and is due, along with all associated materials, in the office of the County Administrator no later than 2:00 p.m. on the Thursday prior to the scheduled meeting.  Whenever possible all material including the ARF along with supporting documentation are to be submitted via e-mail to .   To maintain placement on the Agenda, the ARF and attachments must be submitted prior to deadline.
  • All materials should reflect clear and concise summarization of the presentation and include budget impact figures, when appropriate. Budget Transfer Requests and Change Orders should accompany the report when required for approval. Charts, graphs, maps, etc. are appropriate when the add clarity to the presentation. Audio visual aids can include the use of a laptop computer and projector. Meeting handouts are to be included with the submission of the ARF if at all possible.
  • The ARF form is available online (ARF online) and should be submitted via regular mail. If the distribution of information is required at meeting time, fifteen (15) copies are to be given to the Public Information Officer (Norman Bassett) for distribution to the audience, staff, and media.

How can I request a proclamation to be issued by the Commissioners?

  • Proclamations may be requested of the Commissioners by providing all pertinent and succinctly written information about the nature and purpose of the proclamation to the Commissioners’ office. Requests should be made at least two (2) weeks in advance by contacting Julie Nichols, Executive Assistant at 240-313-2203 or .

Where can I get a copy of the Code of Public Local Laws of Washington County, Maryland?

  • The County Attorney’s office maintains and provides copies of the Code of the Public Local Laws ($20.00 for the 1991 Code and binder, $5.00 for the 1994 supplement.
  • The code is also available online along with many other county codes and ordinances.

Can I get a mailing list of companies in Washington County?

  • The Economic Development Commission maintains a listing of approximately 500 of Washington County’s more than 3,000 registered businesses in its Business & Industry Directory. This list includes contact information for the top five executives at each company, including an employment contact, as well as postal information. This list is updated annually and is available either in mailing label format, in hard copy or electronically.  Contact the EDC for more information at 240-313-2280.
  • Economic Development Commission Website

Who should I speak to regarding the county's Enterprise Zone Program?

How do I start a business in the City of Hagerstown or in Washington County?

  • If you are specifically interested in starting a business located within the municipal limits of the City of Hagerstown, Debbie Everhart, the city’s economic development director is a great resource for how to get started. She can be reached at 301-790-3200.
  • For businesses in Washington County but not in the City of Hagerstown contact the Washington County EDC at 240-313-2280.
  • Economic Development Commission Website.

What type of license or certification is need to start my own business?

  • If you are specifically interested in starting a business located within the municipal limits of the City of Hagerstown, Debbie Everhart, the city’s economic development director is a great resource for how to get started. She can be reached at 301-790-3200.
  • For businesses in Washington County but not in the City of Hagerstown contact the Washington County EDC at 240-313-2280.
  • Economic Development Commission Website

Do you have a list of businesses that have recently opened in Washington County?

  • The Economic Development Commission maintains a list of businesses that have recently opened in Washington County. However, the list only includes such businesses that the commission was directly involved in the relocation/expansion of the business. The list is not comprehensive for all industries. In particular, the list does not generally include hospitality or retail businesses.
  • Call 240-313-2280.
  • Economic Development Commission Website

Do other economic development agencies publish a Business & Industry Directory?

  • It is up to each individual agency as to whether or not they maintain a directory of local businesses. If the economic development agency in the area you are interested in does not maintain such a directory, the local Chamber of Commerce can also be a good source for business listings.
  • Hagerstown- Washington County Chamber of Commerce
    28 West Washington Street, Suite 200
    Hagerstown, Maryland 21740
    Phone 301-739-2015    Fax 301-739-1278
  • Hagerstown- Washington County Chamber of Commerce Website

What are the phone numbers for other surrounding jurisdictions economic development agencies?

  • Franklin County, Pennsylvania Economic Development 717-263-8282
  • Berkeley County, West Virginia Development Authority 304-267-4144
  • Allegheny County, Maryland Economic Development 800-555-4080
  • Garret County, Maryland Economic Development 301-334-1921
  • Frederick County, Maryland Office of Economic Development 301-694-1058
  • Frederick County/Winchester, Virginia Economic Development 540-665-0973

What is the phone number for the Maryland Department of Business and Economic Development?

  • The Maryland Department of Business and Economic Development maintains regional offices. The office that covers Western Maryland, of which Washington County is a part, can be reached by dialing 301-722-0054.

Where do I find information on a business that has closed?

  • It is often difficult to find information on a business that is no longer in business. However, two sources for such information can be the local Tax & Assessment Office, 301-791-3050 and the Better Business Bureau, known locally as the Consumer Protection Agency, 301-791-4780.

Where can I find a list of available buildings and sites for Washington County?

  • The Economic Development Commission maintains a list of such properties. That information can be obtained in hardcopy by calling the office at 240-313-2280.
  • www.hagerstownedc.org. Click on the Properties tab found at the top of the home page.

Where can I find a list of businesses located within certain industrial parks within Washington County?

  • The Economic Development Commission maintains such lists. Contact the office at 240-313-2280 for this information.

How can I get on the bidder's list?

  • Send a fax to the Washington County Purchasing Department, fax number 240-313-2331, stating your company name, address, telephone and fax numbers, and a contact person and detail the goods and/or services that your company can provide.

When is a bid bond required for a bid?

  • A bid bond is required on a bid of $100,000 or more for construction contracts and on a bid of $50,000 or more for contracts for services, supplies, or construction related services.

How can I receive a bid package?

  • To request a bid package call the Washington County Purchasing Department at 240-313-2330.

Where can I find information about Washington County bids?

  • Washington County bids are advertised in the local newspaper, The Herald Mail, and are also published in the Maryland Contract Weekly.
  • For information to view Maryland Contract Weekly Online www.dsd.state.md.us/contractweekly.

What are the limits for Quotes and formal Bids?

  • Formal Request for Quotation - $10,000 to $24,999
  • Formal Invitation to Bid - Exceeds $25,000.

What does RFP stand for?

  • Request for Proposal.

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