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State of the County Address Recap
"I reject the politics of hate and exclusion and will continue to denounce any efforts to divide our communities."
That is just one of the themes emphasized throughout Howard County Executive Allan Kittleman's fourth State of the County speech today at our annual luncheon at Turf Valley Resort.
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The luncheon started with Chamber President Leonardo McClarty welcoming the crowd of nearly 500 Chamber members and guests and then introducing the color guard from Atholton High School, along with Atholton student Grace Tyson, who did a beautiful job singing the Star-Spangled Banner.
Then came a moment we have been working toward for weeks. McClarty explained that the Chamber is nearing the end of a massive rebranding process that has been going on for over a year. Our new website will be launched in a few months, but we have a new video to help us show people what the Chamber is all about in the meantime.
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After the video rolled, everyone was treated to a delicious lunch courtesy of a recipe straight from
The Roving Radish, a Howard County program dedicated to promoting healthy farm to table eating habits and sourcing food from local and regional farms. Then Chamber Board of Directors Chair Jeff Agnor, of Davis, Agnor, Rapaport & Skalny, LLC took the stage to introduce the County Executive.
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Although there were certainly light moments during his address, County Executive Kittleman also focused on some of the struggles our community is facing, and what he and his colleagues are doing to help.
Kittleman described his vision for narrowing the achievement gap in county schools, battling the opioid epidemic, including the launch of a centralized opioid website,
www.HoCoOpioidHelp.com, and
Achieve 24/7, an initiative that includes a summer food project, a school readiness program and an enrichment program focusing on math proficiency in Oakland Mills. Kittleman mentioned that collaboration between county government and the public school system has never been stronger. He also thanked Superintendent Dr. Michael Martirano for his leadership.
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One section of the address that was of particular interest to Howard County's business community was when County Executive Kittleman described his vision for the 920-acre Columbia Gateway Innovation District. Kittleman said it will be "the next great economic center in Maryland." He also said he envisions a walkable and bikeable community there where 25,000 people work and thousands call home.
Kittleman closed by presenting four outgoing Howard County Council Members, Calvin Ball, Jen Terrasa, Mary Kay Sigaty and Greg Fox with the "keys to the county."
You can read the full text of the County Executive's
State of the County Address here. We want to thank County Executive Allan Kittleman and his team for their partnership with the Chamber over the past few years.
We also want to thank all of the Chamber's supportive
Annual Partners who helped make today's State of the County Address happen.
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WE'RE GOING TO ICELAND!
Join us on our tour of Iceland, a land of geysers, glaciers, volcanoes and rich history. Iceland is an otherworldly place where forces of nature have created a landscape that allows you to swim in geothermal heated pools, trek across a mossy lava field, or drive over an icy glacier all in one day.
ICELAND TRIP INFORMATION SESSION
March 27, 2018 - 5:30 - 7:30 p.m.
Grotto Pizza
7075 Minstrel Way
Columbia, MD 21046
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2018 Annual Legacy Partners
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2018 Annual Benefactor & Leader Partners
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LEGISLATIVE ACTION UPDATE
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CALL TO ACTION ON MINIMUM WAGE
We are once again calling on you our members, to let your legislators know where you stand on a piece of important legislation this week. The Chamber opposes
HB0664, also known as the
Fight for Fifteen Bill, because we are gravely concerned about the negative impact a $15 minimum wage would have on Maryland's businesses, workforce and citizens most in need. There is widespread concern that raising the minimum wage would deter job creation and business expansion as well as an increase in consumer cost.
Instead of raising the minimum wage, we support initiatives that advance workers out of minimum wage jobs in which they were never meant to make their living. We also believe a better solution involves investing in education, training and workforce development programs, apprenticeship programs and trades.
We strongly urge you to contact your legislators in the House of Delegates and State Senate today and ask them to vote against
HB0664 and oppose a minimum wage increase to $15. Y
ou can find contact information for each of the legislators representing Howard County in the House of Delegates below.
District 9
District 12
District 13
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Chamber President Pens Letter of Support for Wireless Investment Now for Maryland Act
In a letter to the Chair of the Economic Matters Committee of the Maryland House of Delegates, Chamber President Leonardo McClarty made it clear that the Chamber supports the
Wireless Investment Now (WIN) for Maryland Act of 2018 which promotes investment in Maryland's mobile wireless infrastructure, including the deployment of small cells. We have also requested a favorable vote on the WIN for Maryland Act of 2018 because we believe it would streamline the permitting process for the deployment of small cells and encourage wireless providers to invest in our Maryland networks.
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Chamber Comes Out in Opposition to House Bill 1655
Chamber President Leonardo McClarty has also submitted a letter requesting a negative report on House Bill 1655, which would require Maryland state government to regulate the Internet by imposing certain conditions to be met by Internet Service Providers (ISP's) in order to qualify for state contracts.
We consider proposals that attempt to regulate the internet on a state by state basis to be completely impractical and preempted by recent Federal Communications Commission's ('FCC') rulings and federal law.
State-by-state regulation of the internet will harm consumers and businesses by discouraging investment in broadband infrastructure and new technologies in Maryland that are critical to a new and vital economy. There should instead be a comprehensive, common-sense approach at the federal level to address these issues.
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BLACK HISTORY MONTH MEMBER SPOTLIGHT
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Spotlight on Louis G. Hutt, Jr. and The Hutt Company
At the Chamber we are so proud of our members, and this month, in honor of Black History Month, we wanted to take a moment in each of our newsletters to shine the spotlight on one of our members! Last week we shined a spotlight on
Andra Cain, President and CEO of
Cain Contracting, Inc.
to tell us a little about himself and his business. This week we have a look at Louis G. Hutt, Jr. and
The Hutt Company Certified Public Accountants with offices in Columbia, Maryland was established in 1983, along with The Hutt Law Firm. The founder is Louis G. Hutt, Jr., a Certified Public Accountant and Attorney at Law. Hutt's professional practice groups provide business, tax and legal advisory services. Practice focus areas include forensic and compliance auditing, CFO support, tax planning, representation in tax controversies and litigation support.
The Hutt Companies major client engagements have included the NFL Players Association; Thurgood Marshall BWI Airport; Howard County, Maryland Government; Montgomery County Housing Opportunities Commission; MMG Ventures and Michigan Department of Commerce.
Hutt has received numerous awards and recognitions including, the Distinguished Alumni Award (Olin School of Business of Washington University in St. Louis), Graduate of the Year (University of Maryland School of Law), Leadership in Law (The Daily Record), Accounting Advocate of the Year (U.S. Small Business Administration), and Distinguished Community Service Award (Waring-Mitchell Law Society of Maryland).
Hutt hosts The Lou Hutt Show on SiriusXM Radio. The show focuses on entrepreneurship, personal financial planning and income tax saving strategies. Hutt is also an author. His debut book, The Road to Mega Success: Simple Strategies for Enriching the Bottom Line is in its third edition publication.
Ellicott City, Maryland is home for Louis and wife, Nellie. They have three children, two of
whom are professional associates in the Hutt companies. Louis largely credits his professional
and personal well being to his wife of over 20 years, Nellie.
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WELCOME NEW MEMBERS!!!
We are so proud to welcome the following new Chamber members this week!
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Happy Anniversary!!!
The following organizations joined the HCCC this week in history!
- Mullen, Sondberg, Wimbish & Stone, P.A. - 14 Years
- The Horizon Foundation of Howard County - 13 Years
- Bridgeway Community Church - 9 Years
- McFarlin Insurance Agency - 8 Years
- MVP Law Group P.A. - 7 Years
- Patient First - 7 Years
- Robert Half - 7 Years
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Commercial Energy Co-op Spring Enrollment is here!!!
Even though it doesn't quite feel like it outside yet, Spring is right around the corner and we are ready to launch the Spring Enrollment Campaign for our Commercial Energy Co-op partners, CQI Associates!
As part of the campaign, CQI is hosting a series of Webinars for anyone who wants to know more about the program or has questions about enrollment. A third webinar will be held
February 27, 2018 at 1:00 pm. To participate you must register
in-advance for the above webinars. Simply go to the CQI Associates home page at
www.cqiassociates.com
and click on the date that you want to participate and follow the steps to RSVP.
If you are already enrolled in the program, but will be up for renewal this year, you have until March 2nd to submit the current
Letter of Authorization to make sure you are locked in to the best available rates! You can also find out more about the program
here.
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Howard Health Department to Partner with Grassroots
It's something that was discussed back at our January State of Healthcare in Howard County luncheon, but now the Howard County Health Department and Grassroots Crisis Intervention Center have officially announced a new partnership to provide substance use screenings and referrals to treatment.
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Miles & Stockbridge Elects First Woman Chairperson
Miles & Stockbridge announced today that the law firm's principals have elected Nancy W. Greene as chairman and Joseph W. Hovermill as president and chief executive officer of the firm, succeeding John B. Frisch. Greene becomes the first woman to lead the 250-lawyer firm in its 86-year history.
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The Creig Northrop Team Becoming Independent Brokerage
The Creig Northrop Team has just announced they have become Northrop Realty, a full-service brokerage that will remain part of the Long & Foster Real Estate family of companies.
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Annapolis Junction Getting New Resident in Verizon Wireless
Verizon Wireless will soon be able to call Annapolis Junction home after the signing of a lease for more than half of an office building in the Annapolis Junction Town Center.
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Howard County Seeking Nominations for Excellence in Programs for Children
Know someone or an organization who has made a positive impact on the lives of Howard County children? Howard County Executive Allan Kittleman and the Howard County Office of Children and Families wants to hear from you as they evaluate nominees for the 19th annual
"Celebrating Successes for Children" awards program.
Nominations are due by Friday, March 2nd!
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Join Chamber President McClarty at HCPSS' Academy of Finance Spring Conference
The Howard County Public School System's Academy of Finance Program is looking for two speakers from the tech world to volunteer at this year's Spring Conference on March 12th at Howard Community College. The Chamber's own President & CEO, Leonardo McClarty is serving as the keynote speaker this year.
If you are interested, please contact
Maddy Halbach from the Academy of Finance at 410-313-6998.
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Help Leadership Howard County by Filling Out A Quick Survey
A group in the current Leadership Howard County class is conducting research for a Community Impact Project to benefit cultural diversity. Please take a few minutes and complete the following survey. Thank you in advance!
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21st Annual Chocolate Ball
The Arc of Howard County is now accepting sponsorships and reservations for their annual Chocolate Ball.
March 10, 2018 - 7 p.m. - Midnight
Turf Valley Resort
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Volunteers Needed for HCPSS's Workforce Development Program
On March 23rd, more than 150 local high school students need your help! The students will be participating in practice job interviews as part of the Howard County School System's Workforce Development Program,
Passport to the Future.
March 23, 2018 - 8 a.m. - Noon
Howard Community College
Duncan Hall/Kittleman Room
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Kittleman Holds Roundtable with Farm and Business Owners
Get ready to enjoy even more delicious local produce and protein at Howard County's restaurants. Howard County Executive Allan Kittleman announced a new restaurant certification initiative as well as several other programs, at his annual Agricultural Roundtable late last week. "We are HoCo Fresh" will certify county restaurants that purchase certain amounts of produce and protein from local farms.
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Public Meeting to Discuss Widening of Snowden River Parkway
Howard County's Department of Public Works (DPW) will hold a public meeting on February 28th to discuss the planned widening of Snowden River Parkway between Broken Land Parkway and Oakland Mills Road.
February 28, 2018 - 5 - 7 p.m.
Media Center at Hammond High School
8800 Guilford Road
Columbia, MD
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Ellicott City Watershed Master Plan Public Workshop #4
A fourth public workshop has been announced to discuss the Ellicott City Watershed Master Plan.
March 22, 2018 - 7 - 9 p.m.
Roger Carter Community Center
3000 Milltowne Drive
Ellicott City, MD
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Congressman Elijah Cummings 2018 Annual Job Fair
Join Congressman Elijah Cummings for his 21st Annual Job Fair at Morgan State University
April 9, 2018
9 a.m. - 2 p.m.
Morgan State University
Hill Field House
1700 E. Cold Spring Lane
Baltimore, MD 21251
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Export Management Bootcamp for Industry Professionals
The Center for Global Business at the University of Maryland is hosting its second annual Export Management Bootcamp for Industry Professionals. The two-day bootcamp is designed to help prepare professionals to export their products or services internationally.
April 20 & 21, 2018
University of Maryland BioPark
Building 2, Suite 100
801 West Baltimore Street
Baltimore, MD 21201
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Join a Committee at the Howard County Chamber of Commerce
Interested in getting more involved with the Chamber?
Sign up today for any of the following committees:
- Ambassadors
- GovConnects
- Holiday Party
- Legislative
- Membership
- Signature Events
- YPN
Contact [email protected] to join a Howard County Chamber of Commerce Committee today!
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