Maryland Department of Business and Economic Development Secretary Christian S. Johansson will join county economic development officials and members of the State’s Boards and Commissions to honor the Maryland companies ranked on the 2012 Inc. 500 and 5000 list of fastest-growing companies. The event will be held on Friday, November 16 from 7:30 to 9:30 a.m. at The Inn at Brookeville Farms, 19501 Georgia Avenue in Brookeville.

The Secretary will discuss the progress of the State’s $84 million InvestMaryland program – an historic venture capital initiative created by Governor Martin O’Malley and passed by the General Assembly last year to invest in the State’s start-up and early stage companies. He will also give an update on the InvestMaryland Challenge – a national business competition that gives seed and early-stage companies a unique opportunity to pitch their business and win $300,000 in venture capital funding. The Challenge, which was announced in September, currently has nearly 100 applicants, with applications due by December 13.

WHAT: State Economic Development Agency Celebrates Maryland’s Inc. 500/5000

WHEN: November 16, 2012; 7:30 to 9:30 a.m.

WHERE: The Inn at Brookeville Farms, 19501 Georgia Avenue, Brookeville