Maryland Losing More Small Businesses Than Its Neighbors

Maryland lost 4.71 percent, or 6,494, of its small businesses from 2007 to 2010, a decrease that one fiscal policy group chalks up to the state’s tax increases. But some economic experts say that is only part of the answer.

Maryland fared about the same as Delaware, but lost a higher percentage of business than its other neighbors, according to U.S. Census figures for businesses with 1 to 99 employees.

Delaware lost 4.72 percent, or 1,176 businesses; West Virginia lost 4.51 percent, or 1,789 businesses; Virginia lost 3.66 percent, or 7,170 businesses; and Pennsylvania lost 2.64 percent, or 7,854 businesses. Washington, D.C. gained 523 businesses, or 2.59 percent.

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