Chamber Of Commerce

Baltimore will be the first U.S. city to pilot a new social-networking technology to help small businesses expand their global reach, the Baltimore City Chamber of Commerce announced yesterday. Mayor Sheila Dixon endorsed the Internet-linked networking system, Toronto-based MarketTiger Inc. ( www.markettiger.com), at a launch event at the chamber's headquarters. "It puts all the resources of the Chamber of Commerce immediately out there so people can find businesses faster," said Sterling Clifford, the mayor's spokesman.

The West County Chamber of Commerce will hold its annual membership drive from 7:30 a.m. to 9:30 a.m. Wednesday at Key West Restaurant, 7253 Parkway Drive in Hanover. Michael Livingston, chief executive officer of the Bank of Glen Burnie, will discuss the economy. The cost is $20 for members in advance, $30 for nonmembers and at the door. Donations of restaurant certificates, gift baskets, gift cards, sports tickets, trips, day spa certificates and getaways are sought as prizes. Information: 410-672-3422.

The Annapolis and Anne Arundel County Chamber of Commerce has canceled the Maryland Seafood Festival this year, citing concerns that it would not break even in the unsettled economy. Chamber officials worried that people looking to cut back on expenses would pass on the festival, which funds itself primarily with ticket sales. They also predicted rising fuel costs would limit the event's regional draw. "Our concern is the direction the economy was going will have an impact," said chamber President Bob Burdon.

The House Ways and Means Committee objected to Maryland's new tax on computer services during November's special legislative session, so when it was its turn yesterday to take up a bill to repeal the unpopular levy, some delegates saw it as an occasion for vindication. "We all know the Senate unfortunately made a mistake," Del. Frank S. Turner, a Howard County Democrat, said to the repeal bill's sponsor, Sen. Jennie Forehand. "Isn't that so, senator?" Forehand, a Montgomery County Democrat who had also fought the so-called "tech tax" last year, deflected the question.

Leadership Anne Arundel will hold a recruitment breakfast from 7:30 a.m. to 9 a.m. Wednesday in Room 219 at Anne Arundel Community College's Cade Center of Fine Arts, 101 College Parkway in Arnold. Attendees will learn how they can benefit from Leadership Anne Arundel's Flagship Program. Tom Marquardt, executive editor of Capital-Gazette Newspapers and a graduate of Leadership Anne Arundel's Executive Leadership Series, will speak. Information: www.leadershipaa.org, info@leadershipaa.

Neighbor Ride selects Dearborn Jim Dearborn of Ellicott City will serve as "driver representative" on the board of directors of Neighbor Ride, which provides volunteer drivers for older residents in need of transportation. Also named to the board were Nancy McCord, a Long & Foster real estate agent; Michael Mercurio, a partner in the law firm of Offit & Kurman; Elizabeth Noble, director of Howard Community College's Center for Entrepreneurial and Business Excellence; and Cheron Wicker, deputy director of communications for the Maryland Transit Administration.

State approves $50,000 investment for Clarksville drug company The Maryland Department of Business and Economic Development has approved a $50,000 investment for Neuronascent Inc., a small molecule drug development company in Clarksville. The investment will be made through the department's Challenge Investment Fund, a program to assist small start-up companies in the high technology sector. The investment will allow the company to continue work on a therapeutic drug for Alzheimer's disease, said Judith Kelleher-Andersson, the company's founder, president and chief scientific officer, according to a news release.

The Greater Severna Park Chamber of Commerce will hold its annual installation dinner at 6 p.m. Thursday at Chartwell Country Club, 1 Chartwell Drive. Check-in and a social hour begin at 5 p.m. County Executive John R. Leopold will be the speaker. The cost is $45 for chamber members and their guests; $50 for nonmembers. Advance registration is required. Information: 410-647-3900 . Tech Council to host panel The Chesapeake Regional Tech Council will host a panel, "Teaming Agreements, Alliances and Strategic Partnerships: Forming successful new relationships in business expansion," at 8 a.m. Jan. 29 at Hampton Inn and Suites, 124 Womack Drive, Annapolis.

Larry O. Collins has been hired as technology manager by the Howard County Economic Development Authority and will be executive director of the new Howard Technology Council. Collins was U.S. sales manager at L-Soft International Inc., responsible for sales of e-mail management software in commercial, federal, state and local business markets. He was manager for Microsoft E-Business Engineering, where he developed and implemented standards and best practices for Microsoft Net Products.