Business Resources

Starting a Business

HCPL “Starting a Business” Resources
A curated set of library catalog records, articles, and guides tailored to beginning entrepreneurs, helping you identify books and digital resources on business startup topics.
LinkedIn Learning
An online platform with thousands of micro-lectures and learning paths covering business strategies, marketing, finance, and entrepreneurship—all available free with your HCPL card.
Legal Forms
Gale LegalForms provides customizable, Maryland-specific legal templates—like contracts, non-disclosure agreements, and business formation documents—for free access through HCPL.
Harford County Economic Development
The county’s Office of Economic Development offers local startup assistance, including programs, grants, site selection, statistics, and contacts to support new and growing businesses in Harford County.
Enoch Pratt State Library Resources
A comprehensive small-business research guide featuring market data, business-plan support, tax guidance, and tools like the Entrepreneur Academy and grants databases to help Maryland-based startups.
State of Maryland Business Resources
The official state portal connecting you to services like business registration, licensing, taxes, contracts, procurement, and workforce data—all aimed at supporting enterprises across Maryland.

LinkedIn Learning
Search “Business Plan” to access video courses and guided learning paths on creating strong business plans—all free with your HCPL card.
Reference Solutions
Provides detailed demographic, market, and competitor data to support business planning and identify potential customers and local competition.
Maryland Small Business Development Center
Offers free training, templates, and expert guidance to help you write, refine, and implement a professional business plan in Maryland.

LinkedIn Learning
Search “Business Capital” to find video courses on funding strategies, investor pitching, and capital planning—all free with your HCPL card.
Harford County Office of Economic Development – Financial Services
Offers local loan and grant opportunities—including the Economic Development Opportunity Fund with loans up to $200K to support business growth, equipment, and real estate investments.

HCPL Resources on Marketing
Browse library catalog materials tagged under “Marketing” to discover books, videos, and guides on marketing strategies and brand promotion.
Baltimore Banner
A nonprofit local news site offering in-depth coverage of business, politics, and community updates; free access provided with your HCPL card via a 30‑day pass :contentReference[oaicite:0]{index=0}.
LinkedIn Learning
Search “Marketing” to access expert-led video courses on digital marketing, social media, branding, and market research—all included with your HCPL library card.
Reference Solutions
Create targeted mailing lists for marketing campaigns using business and consumer data, and easily export contacts to Excel for outreach planning.

Army Research Lab (ARL)
Explore partnership opportunities, technology licensing, cooperative research and development agreements, and other ways businesses and innovators can work with the U.S. Army Research Laboratory.
ARL Small Business Office
Email or call (919) 549-4278 for guidance on navigating ARL contracting opportunities, small business programs, and resources for prospective partners.