In today’s digital age, entrepreneurs often rely on online tools to make their mark. Amid recent Maryland tax hikes and new foreign tariffs, digital marketing is a critical way for small business owners to survive amidst economic uncertainty, boost their revenue, and maintain a formidable presence in the market.
To be as competitive as possible, Maryland needs policies that support new, innovative businesses looking to call our state home. As part of that, it is crucial to protect the balance between encouraging innovation and reasonable legislation. Small business owners often work long hours and invest their own money in their company. Their restaurants and clothing stores keep you and your families fed and dressed. Similarly, local startups invent technologies that aid not only our community but the world at large. Policies that support their efforts and ensure they can continue their livelihoods without unnecessary friction are critical to keep the small business community afloat.
Unfortunately, some of our elected officials have opted to impose burdensome restrictions on the very businesses that drive our economy. If we want to grow our economy and welcome more businesses to our state, we should instead take a more pro-business position like that of Virginia, which has resulted in a $9 billion investment in innovation and infrastructure in the state. Unfortunately, Maryland’s current restrictions make the landscape less appealing to businesses – both big and small – that are considering a presence in our state, damaging our business ecosystem’s long-term competitiveness.
Due to policy changes set to go into effect this fall, digital marketing strategies may be in jeopardy. In 2024, the Maryland Online Data Privacy Act (MODPA) was passed and will soon impose harmful restrictions on small businesses that will particularly affect their ability to access the tools and data they need to market themselves and connect with their customers. Policies like this one could have detrimental effects on our small business ecosystem, creating uncertainty for small businesses, making them more risk-averse, which could stall innovation in the state.
MODPA’s sweeping privacy laws are more stringent than comparable legislation in other states, making Maryland an outlier and creating needless friction for Maryland’s small businesses that are trying to keep up with others in the region. In fact, the Maryland Chamber of Commerce has already noted that surrounding states’ small businesses outperform ours in fields including just plain survival––which, in 2024, dropped from 19% to 12% in Maryland––and growth.
When the legislation goes into effect in October 2025, its restrictions could prevent many businesses from connecting with local consumers in the most effective manner. A 2025 proposed fix offered adjustments to protect small businesses’ ability to utilize online tools like digital marketing technologies while defending consumers’ right to privacy. Unfortunately, lawmakers did not advance this business-friendly proposal, and now Maryland small businesses will pay the price.
Going forward, we need policies that will make Maryland a regional and national business leader. Our elected officials should view the recent investment in Virginia as a shining example of what is possible when states maintain pro-business policies and welcome innovation. For the sake of Marylanders and the success of our state, it is critical that Maryland sits at the forefront of invention. We cannot afford to let overbearing regulations damage our small businesses’ competitiveness. We must enact plans that will support the businesses that support our state.
Jamie McNealey serves as the Owner and National Director of the National College Lacrosse League (NCLL). Based in Severna Park, the NCLL currently includes 90 colleges and universities in 16 states. A graduate of the Severn School and the Johns Hopkins University, where he lettered for four years, McNealey has coached men’s lacrosse at the high school, collegiate and professional levels.
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