SITUATION
Entrepreneurs Alan Stein, 52, and his wife, Nancy Virts, 47, had a decision to make. Located just outside of Washington, D.C., their six-year-old company, Tanglewood Conservatories, was growing rapidly. The need for a larger space was pressing, as the current facility was just 4,000 square feet. They knew the move was risky.

But encouragement from the Economic Development Commission in Caroline County, Maryland, in the form of tax breaks and financial assistance, along with a readily available workforce, convinced the couple to build a new facility in rural Denton, Maryland. Since the move, company sales have tripled. And the new facility has grown from 10,000 square feet to 40,000 square feet.

Question 1 How important was the location decision for these two entrepreneurs? Why?

Question 2 What types of permits and zoning ordinances did they need to consider before deciding to relocate?

Question 3 Is a presence on the Internet helpful for a business like Tanglewood Conservatories?