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Montgomery County Councilmember Shebra Evans recently welcomed Maryland Comptroller Brooke E. Lierman for a community conversation focused on the experiences, challenges and opportunities facing local businesses across the County.
The first stop on the tour was Precious Moments Family Childcare, operated by Tiffany Jones, an experienced early‑childhood educator and the current chair of the Montgomery County Children’s Opportunity Alliance (COA). With more than two decades dedicated to expanding access to high quality childcare and elevating the professional identity of family child care educators, Jones outlined for the Comptroller the day‑to‑day operational challenges childcare educators face — including staffing shortages, rising costs, regulatory complexity, and the financial pressures uniquely affecting home‑based and small‑scale childcare operators.
Following the childcare visit, Evans and Lierman met at the offices of the Montgomery County Economic Development Corporation (MCEDC) with eight local business owners from a diverse range of industries:
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- Ed Fineran, President of Atlantech Online, Inc.
- Ernest Benjamin, Jr., Founder and Principal of BVRE Consulting and Advisory
- Juan Ma, Owner of Hair Design Zone
- Sandra Pacheco, Founder and CEO of HDS Biz Solutions
- Dante Chhom, Owner of Mia Cane and Dear Matcha
- Sharon Jackson Wilder, CEO and Founder of The Oaks Hospitality Group
- Tiffany Jones, Owner of Precious Moments Family Childcare
- Michael J. Charles, CEO and Founder of SolutionsMET, LLC
Participants discussed their experiences navigating state regulations, workforce constraints, access to capital, and opportunities to strengthen Maryland’s business climate. They also offered specific recommendations for how state‑level improvements could better support local businesses, help them thrive, and enhance Maryland’s overall competitiveness.
“This week’s conversations underscored just how essential our local businesses and childcare educators are to sustaining and strengthening our community,” Councilmember Evans said. “We appreciate Comptroller Lierman’s commitment to hearing directly from the people who power our local economy. Their stories and insights are invaluable as Maryland continues working to build a stronger, more supportive environment for families and businesses alike.”
“When Maryland’s local businesses thrive, so do our local communities,” said Comptroller Lierman. “Hearing directly from business owners gives us the necessary insights needed to improve state services and ensure entrepreneurs have the resources, flexibility, and support to succeed. I’m grateful to Councilmember Evans for hosting me and for her steadfast commitment to elevating the voices of Maryland’s small business community.”
For more information, please contact:
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Beth Shuman, Chief of Staff
Councilmember Shebra Evans
(240) 777-7967
Jeremy Ames (he/him), Director of Media Relations/Press Secretary
Office of Public Engagement and Communications
Comptroller of Maryland
Cell: (443) 336-8162
www.marylandcomptroller.gov
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Read the original article at mcgov
