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Are you counting down the days until Spring? With many exciting Chamber events on the horizon, we sure are! With that said, we hope March proves to be your luckiest month yet!
Last month saw a successful
18th Annual Washington County Business Awards with six new winners:
Community Rescue Service, Inc. - At Your Service Award
Smith Elliott Kearns & Company, LLC - Large Business of the Year
Antietam Cable - Leading Edge Award
Children in Need, Inc. - Non-Profit of the Year
Bushey Feight Morin Architects, Inc. - Small Business of the Year
Alfred E. Martin - Washington County Business Person of the Year
March's monthly
Business After Hours takes place at Mercersburg Academy this week, Thursday March 16th, and next month promises another batch of our regular events with the addition of two signature events -
Washington County Teacher of the Year on Wednesday, April 26th and the 3rd Annual
"Just Us Girls" Diamond Soiree on Saturday, April 29th!
Have a great month!
Paul, Donna, Kathyrn, Tim, Fatima, & Rod
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Welcome Our New Members |
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Give a Warm Welcome to Some New Faces in Our Membership!
1101 Opal Ct., Suite 212
Hagerstown, MD
240-420-8514
5 Public Square, Suite 400
Hagerstown, MD
240-329-9364
305 N. Potomac St.
Hagerstown, MD
301-739-1414
21 E. Franklin st.
Hagerstown, MD
301-797-0900
108 Chief Cornstalk Trail
Hedgesville, WV
866-999-6434
714 Potomac Ave.
Hagerstown, MD
301-791-4892
18022 Maugans Ave.
Hagerstown, MD
301-739-8100
18434 Showalter Rd.
Hagerstown, MD
800-OK-LOVES
13154 Pennsylvania Ave.
Hagerstown, MD
301-739-0221
305 N. Potomac St.
Hagerstown, MD
301-733-6369
15200 NBN Way
Blue Ridge Summit, PA
717-794-3800
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Members Making News
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Find Out What's New with Some of Our Members!
Totem Pole Playhouse Announces New Fundraising Opportunity for Local Non-Profit Organizations
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T
otem Pole Playhouse
, located in Caledonia State Park between Gettysburg and Chambersburg, PA has announced a new initiative aimed at helping area non-profit organizations raise funds! The new program offers any 501(c)3 not-for-profit group or organization, regardless of size, the opportunity to sell tickets for a selected performance of one of the Playhouse's shows this season at face value and then to keep half of the price of all the tickets they sell.
Totem Pole Playhouse has helped to raise tens of thousands of dollars for area non-profit organizations over the past several seasons. Since 2013, the Playhouse has donated a portion of the proceeds from opening night performances to several non-profit groups and organizations.
Producing Artistic Director,
Rowan Joseph
noted "Most smaller non-profits barely have enough money to meet their operating expenses, with little or no funds set aside to do larger fundraisers. They will have the occasional bake sale, car wash, or pancake breakfast to raise a few hundred dollars, but even those require a lot of volunteer time and energy, something which is also more and more scarce these days."
Totem Pole's Managing Director
Sue McMurtray
lauds the program: "We have so many small groups that we donate tickets to for their various fundraisers each year that we thought this would be a great program for them. Of coruse, larger groups are welcome too; the more tickets you sell, the greater your return."
To participate, call the Totem Pole Playhouse box office at 717-352-2164 to participate in this fundraising activity. All groups must present proof of active non-profit status!
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Aaron Marks 2 Years as Construction Manager with Habitat
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Habitat for Humanity of Washington County
is proud to celebrate the two year anniversary of Construction Manager, Joe Aaron, joining their team. Over the course of Joe's tenure, Habitat has seen growth in their production schedule which contributes to the number of lives Habitat is able to impact through providing affordable housing and repairs. The accomplishments Joe has led are the direct results of the hours of dedication from volunteers across Washington County, donations of materials, and from the generous support of local businesses and donors.
In 2017, Habitat is working on four homes in Washington County, in addition to repairs offered through the Home Preservation program. Habitat is celebrating a groundbreaking ceremony for a new construction at 109 Stouffer Avenue on Wednesday March 15 at 5:30pm and will dedicate a House for a young couple at 935 W. Washington Street on Tuesday, March 21 at 5:30pm. In 2015 and 2016, four families consisting of six adults and 13 children, moved into their new Washington County Habitat homes. Additionally, Habitat served 20 families through the Home Preservation program.
Habitat raises funds to support construction projects through a variety of methods. Funding is provided through the Habitat ReStore, homeowner mortgage payments, local and government grants, foundations, individual contributions, and the Annual Dinner Auction. This year's Dinner Auction will be on Saturday, November 18 at the Hagerstown Elk's Lodge at 5:30pm; early bird ticket specials will be available starting in April 2017.
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Exporting Equals Rapid Revenue Growth
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As a member of the Hagerstown Chamber of Commerce, you're in a position to expand the sales of your goods or services to international markets and experience sustainable revenue growth.
The Chamber works with the US Export Assistance Center in Baltimore and the Maryland Department of Commerce to help companies find new customers overseas. In addition, as a part of the US Export Assistance Center (USEAC), the US
Small Business Administration (SBA) has export loan guarantee programs that help you finance international sales trips, optimize your website and any other export promotion activities required to venture into international markets. You can also finance your export sales transactions and the expansion of your facilities, install new equipment and hire more employees. Don't worry about not getting paid by your overseas customer, another partner of the USEAC, the US Export Import Bank (Ex-Im Bank) can insure your overseas sales receipts to assure you get paid.
And for you bank members, SBA's three export loan guarantees give you a 90% guarantee to encourage you to finance a company's export promotion activities, sales transactions and expansion needs. You will be surprised how many of your current commercial customers are exporting and need additional working capital to expand. So, ask your customers and prospects, do you export?
For more information, training and counseling on growing your business through exporting, contact us here at the Chamber and we'll put you in touch with the right person at the USEAC or Maryland Department of Commerce. For you bank members, we can arrange to have SBA come to your institution to provide personalized training on all of their loan guarantee programs.
The Chamber is here to help you go global.
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Taylor Davis Promoted to Vide President, Business Development
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Morgan-Keller Construction is pleased to announce the promotion of Taylor Davis to Vice President, Business Development.
In this new position, Taylor will continue to oversee Morgan-Keller's marketing and business development efforts that will benefit all Morgan-Keller operating units. One of several points of focus will be that of revenue generation and profitability. Taylor will be active in developing new business plans and business strategies for Morgan-Keller's continued success in the future.
Taylor joined Morgan-Keller in 2011 and has been an integral part of the growth of the organization since that time. Taylor's experience includes planning, coordination, negotiation, estimating, and budget management for a variety of commercial and residential construction projects.
"We are pleased to promote Taylor to this important position. His leadership, experience, and enthusiasm will be a tremendous asset to this position," said Jerry Bowman, Morgan-Keller's Executive Vice President.
Morgan-Keller Construction is a general contracting and construction management firm with offices in Frederick and Columbia, Maryland. For over sixty years, Morgan-Keller Construction has transitioned from a custom homebuilder to one of the region's most respected commercial builders. For additional information, visit our website at www.morgankeller.com
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City of Hagerstown Presents "State of the City 2017"
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The City of Hagerstown
presented their annual "State of the City" video presentation earlier this month during a well-attended breakfast gathering. Mayor Bob Bruchey and City Councilmembers present goals and priorities for the first full year of their administration. From public safety and smart government to economic development and enhancing the quality of life, check out the above video to hear more about their vision for Hagerstown's vibrant future.
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HSWC Celebrates St. Patrick's Day with "Lucky" Adoption Discounts
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The Humane Society of Washington County is celebrating St. Patrick's Day with a pot of gold and is giving adopters the chance to test their luck.
Throughout the week of March 13th - 17th, all adopters can choose from the HSWC's "You're in Luck" pot of gold coins. Each coin will be marked with a different percentage discount for the adoption fee.
"Offering discounted adoptions with a pot of gold coins is a fun way for us to celebrate the St. Patrick's Day holiday," said Cathy Jacques, Adoptions Supervisor. "After all, the adopted animals are very lucky to be finding their forever homes."
The promotion runs Monday - Thursday for all animals. Because feline adoption fees are always waived on Fridays, the "You're in Luck" adoption promotion will apply only to dogs and small animals, such as rabbits and parakeets, on that day.
Pictures of all adoptable animals can be found on the shelter website, hswcmd.org. Adoptable animals have been spayed or neutered, microchipped, vaccinated according to age, and given worm and flea preventatives prior to being placed up for adoption. The HSWC also provides adopters with a complimentary health visit at a participating veterinarian, as well as an option for 30 days of free health insurance for their new family member.
In addition to the adoption promotion, the HSWC will be decorating the Adoptions Lobby with a St. Patrick's Day Twig Tree. From March 13th - 17th, all individuals who come to the HSWC and make any donation will receive a personalized shamrock with a shelter animal's picture on it. These shamrocks will adorn the St. Patrick's Day Twig Tree through the end of March.
Specific donations needed at this time are kitten supplies, canned tuna in water, canned dog food and canned cat food. Monetary donations are always welcome.
Throughout the week, there will also be a 20% discount off of leashes and collars in the HSWC retail section.
The shelter is located at 13011 Maugansville Road, Hagerstown.
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Community Foundation Announces Forward Funding Challenge Winner
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The Community Foundation of Washington County MD, Inc. announces the Junior Firefighter Program as the winner of the Forward Funding Challenge event that took place February 27. The Junior Firefighters will use their grant of $3,000 to purchase a commercial cotton candy machine and supplies to sell cotton candy at local events. This will not only help increase their fundraising efforts, but will teach the Junior Firefighters job skills, leadership and responsibility.
The Forward Funding Challenge was a new initiative created to encourage local nonprofit organizations to develop innovative and ongoing fundraising efforts. The Community Foundation received 15 applications for the Challenge. A selection committee within the Foundation choose three finalists, who presented their ideas at the live event on February 27. A panel of judges consisting of the most recent Rising Star Award recipients selected a winner similar to the hit ABC TV Show Shark Tank. Judges included Dr. Brenna Bacon Ranieli, Heather Guessford and Kelsi Waltemire Palmer.
Other finalists included Kodiaks Sled Hockey Team and the Women's Club of Hagerstown.
The Kodiaks Sled Hockey Team requested funding for an exhibition game with the USA Warriors Sled Hockey Team at the Hagerstown ice rink. At this event, they also planned to have raffles, an auction and a "Sled-a-Thon." The Women's Club hoped to increase their rental income by adding Wi-Fi, data access, a screen and projector to the first floor of their building in order to become more competitive with other venues that offer rental space to businesses, organizations and individuals for their meetings and social events.
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Something exciting and/or notable happening within your company? Has someone done something remarkable and you think it should be shared with our extensive list of newsletter recipients? Simply excited about an upcoming event?
We're here to help you get the word out!
Chamber Newsletter!
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Ribbon Cuttings, Grand Openings & More! |
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Did you know that the Chamber can help you & your business get the attention you deserve when you're a new business, celebrating an anniversary, or a seasonal open house?
The Brand New Love's Travel Stops location at 18434 Showalter Rd. in Hagerstown is welcoming guests, well-wishers, elected officials and fellow Chamber members for their grand-opening ribbon cutting celebration Thursday, March 30th at 11am!
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Business Education Partnership Corner |
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News, Factoids, Tips & Events from One of Our Committees!
Professional associations/societies have long provided phenomenal educational programs and opportunities! Unfortunately, they are often overlooked when businesses are putting together their training plans. Two great examples that serve our community are; the
Cumberland Valley Affiliate of the Society for Human Resource Management (CVSHRM)
and the
American Production and Inventory Control Society (APICS) DC Metro Chapter.
SHRM is the world's largest HR professional society with 285,000 members in more than 165 countries. The
Cumberland Valley affiliate
is home to our area's top HR practitioners. They host monthly meetings that include a great training component! In addition to their monthly meetings, they have several events throughout the year that highlight specific needs in the business community (
http://shrmcv.shrm.org/
).
APICS has over 45,000 professional members in 100 countries. Just in North America, there are 190 APICS chapters! The
DC METRO Chapter
provides superb certification prep programs including; Certified in Logistics, Transportation and Distribution (CLTD), Certified in Production and Inventory Management (CPIM) and Certified Supply Chain Professional (CSCP). These programs are world renowned and represent the best in supply chain excellence (
http://apicsdcmetro.org/board.php
).
Before you finalize your training programs, take a hard look at what is available from our local professional associations and societies.
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Upcoming Chamber Community Events |
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Need your login information re-sent? Simply email Director of Member Services Tim Luipersbeck at
[email protected] to request and get to work adding your events!
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Chamber Connects News |
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Chamber Connects is a free professional networking group within the Chamber for select members to create opportunities for each other!
Interested in joining a Chamber Connects referral group??
Mark your calendars for April 27th from 11:30am-1pm at Benny's Pub (49 Eastern Blvd., Hagerstown, MD). This lunchtime group is certainly a lively one - with members representing industries from home mortgage to home security systems (and a lot in between!). No obligation - simply come and check it out!
To find out which industries are represented in each group, & much more:
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Upcoming Chamber Events |
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Mixers, Learning Sessions, Signature Events & More!
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Business After Hours hosted by Mercersburg Academy
Thursday, March 16th, 5-7pm
Edwards Room in Kiel Hall - 300 E. Seminary St., Mercersburg, PA
CHAMBER PRIZE: $3,000!
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"Setting Up a Facebook Business Page"
Tuesday, April 4th, 11:30am - 1:00pm
Hager Hall Conference & Event Center
Dual Highway, Hagerstown, MD
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2017 Washington County Teacher of the Year Awards
Wednesday, April 26th
Fountain Head Country Club, Hagerstown, MD
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Details & Registration Info Coming Soon!
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The Third Annual "Just Us Girls" Diamond Soiree
Saturday, April 29th, 11:30-4:00pm
Hager Hall Conference & Event Center
Dual Highway, Hagerstown, MD
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GenNext News |
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Have you heard about GenNext? We're a group for 21-40 year old professionals in the Washington County region who are interested in referrals, developmental guest speakers, networking & advocacy! Lean more
HERE!
Man, are we growing! Our last monthly happy hour saw over 60 new faces throughout the evening at Benny's Pub in Hagerstown!
Come out Thursday, March 30th to see what we're all about at our next happy hour networking, this time at Pretzel & Pizza Creations at 20 W. Washington St. from 5-8pm!
Our happy hours are free to all! To join GenNext, please email Tim Luipersbeck at [email protected] to get started at just $30/year! Special events will have a GenNext member / non-member registration fee. It pays to join!
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About Us |
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Hagerstown-Washington County Chamber of Commerce members include more than 560 organizations, representing over 40,000 local jobs in a wide variety of industries: Retail, Manufacturing, Healthcare, Skilled Trades, Service and Hospitality, Technology, Government, Nonprofit, and Education.
We can't wait for our next opportunity to work with you, and
for you!
Hagerstown-Washington County Chamber of Commerce
28 W. Washington St., Ste. 200
Hagerstown, Maryland 21740
Hagerstown-Washington County Chamber of Commerce
(301) 739-2015
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