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The Maryland Department of Business and Economic Development is revamping its organizational structure to streamline operations and better highlight international and biotechnology programs.

The moves follow a request several months ago by Gov. Martin O'Malley (D) to improve performance and increase efficiency. Several programs are being consolidated into three major areas: economic development, marketing and business development, and tourism, film and the arts.

The new structure will remove operational barriers and refocus staff and resources on key missions such as biotech, international programs and job creation, Secretary David W. Edgerley said in a report.

Previously, DBED was organized into seven major divisions: Administration and Information Technology; Economic Policy, Research and Legislative Affairs; Small Business Development; Business Development; Regional Development; Financing Programs; and Tourism, Film and the Arts. Now, there are three main divisions and several units that report directly to the deputy secretary or secretary's offices.

The new Economic Development division is taking small business and regional development, along with financing, workforce creation and entrepreneurship.

"As it was organized before, businesses had to go to several different divisions of DBED if they needed financing, small-business assistance and possibly workforce assistance," said Karen Glenn Hood, a DBED spokeswoman. "Now, with everyone in the same division, they need to just go to one place."

The former Business Development division was expanded to Marketing and Business Development. The Policy, Research and Legislative division has been divided into two new units: Business Assistance and Outreach, and Research.

Previously, biotech programs were in the Business Development division and are now being moved to their own unit as the Maryland Biotechnology Center. That pleases biotech executives.

"I can't help but be excited about it," said Richard A. Zakour, executive director of MdBio, a division of the Tech Council of Maryland. "It's going to be a great initiative … It will do nothing but enhance our industry."

The biotech center is a cornerstone of the restructuring effort, said Lawrence Mahan, DBED's senior strategic adviser for biotechnology. The center, which will coordinate state, university and private-sector programs that support the life sciences industry, is already part of DBED's budget and expected to open early next year.

"I'm not aware of another state having a center like this," Mahan said.

International Trade and Investment has also become its own unit, moving from under Business Development.

Staff Writer Steve Monroe contributed to this report.