Howard County Chamber CEO & President Leonardo McClarty and representatives from six Chamber member organizations sat down with Senator Chris Van Hollen earlier this week to share some of the concerns and issues facing Small Businesses right now. 

Mary Ann Scully, CEO of Howard Bank, Bob Dealmeida, CEO of Hamilton Bank, David Tohn, CEO of BTS Software, Mimi Asfaw, Owner of Placement Ready, Larry Twele, CEO of Howard County Economic Development Authority, Richard Ohnmacht, SVP of Bay Bank, and Andra Cain, CEO of Cain Contracting each got a chance to address Senator Van Hollen. 

The Senator heard concerns regarding the Dodd-Frank Wall Street Reform and Consumer Protection Act, and how the Act has made it more difficult for small businesses to get access to capital. The group suggested that Congress could consider amendments to Dodd-Frank to address the issue.

The group also gave several examples of other areas where Senator Van Hollen could aid small businesses by easing the regulatory burdens they face, including by raising the appraisal threshold for commercial real estate loans, and simplifying the regulatory capital rules.

Other attendees of the small group meeting included the Prince George's County Chamber of Commerce, Maryland Chamber of Commerce, small business owners from other communities in Maryland and local Economic Development Leaders.

For more information about how the Howard County Chamber advocates for business in the public policy arena, check out our Legislative & Government Affairs section of our website.

Nearly a year after the historic flooding in Ellicott City, the county is ready to unveil the Ellicott City Watershed Master Plan. 

Residents, business owners, property owners and non-profits are invited to view a presentation of the Hydrologic and Hydraulic (H&H) study results that will be part of the Master Plan. The H&H study analysis including modeling of how water retention controls and channel enhancements will reduce flooding on Main Street in various storm conditions.

Meeting Room at St. Paul's Church

Ellicott City, MD

May 31st

Click here for more information about the Ellicott City Watershed Master Plan 

ELTA North America, the North American arm of an Israeli defense firm has officially opened its new headquarters in Annapolis Junction. The firm moved from offices in Maple Lawn to the new larger space on Henkels Lane, and as part of the move, ELTA North America plans to add 50 new jobs by the end of the year.

For more on ELTA's expansion click here

You've been watching the building go up for months as you pass through Downtown Columbia, but One Merriweather, the new building at the corner of Little Patuxent Parkway and Broken Land Parkway, will be opening its doors for two new restaurants this winter! 

Cured, a farm-to-table style restaurant and bar, and 18th & 21st, a modern take on a speakeasy, are both coming from the team behind Iron Bridge Wine Company

You can get the latest information about The Merriweather District here

Looking for an opportunity to meet with leading small business resource providers? Join the U.S. Small Business Administration for "Small Business Resource Days" to learn about the many small business financing options available through SBA. 

Schedule of Resource Days:

May 24 - 9 a.m. - Noon - Hagerstown

May 25 - 9:30 a.m. - 11 a.m. - Wye Mills

Don't miss your chance to meet with small business assistance organizations and learn more about the opportunities available for small businesses.

For more information or to register click here

June is National Safety Month and to celebrate, the Maryland Division of Labor and Industry's (DLLR) Maryland Occupational Safety and Health (MOSH) program is hosting an Open House in Hunt Valley.

The Open House will include demonstrations, safety tips, information sharing and networking.

Maryland Occupational Safety and Health

Hunt Valley, MD

June 1, 2017

1 - 3 p.m.

Click here for more information or to register for the Open House

More than 10,000 employers, including the Howard County Chamber of Commerce, participated in the 2016 Small Business Credit Survey to take the pulse of business conditions and the credit environment at small businesses across the country.

The survey results showed that many employers reported their small businesses were profitable and optimistic, but the majority faced challenges including relying on personal finances to meet funding gaps.

Looking for a new job? You might want to check out Aerotek Howard County Public Schools, Johns Hopkins Medicine, Johns Hopkins University and Marriott International. All five organizations just made Forbes 2017 list of America's Best Large Employers!

The Chamber would like to give a big round of applause for the Howard County Economic Development Authority (EDA)! Winners of the 2017 MD Small Business Week Awards were just announced and EDA has been recognized as the District Director's Unsung Hero!

Click here for the full list of award winners

It's official! Karen Rosenbauer is the new Chief Growth Officer for Sparksoft Corporation. Rosenbauer has spent the last 15 years committed to enhancing companies' business processes and developing procedures to ensure best practices, including her time as the Chief Marketing Officer for a division of one of the largest healthcare companies in the country.

Click here for more about the announcement

Bay Bank has announced that Kyle Becraft has joined the company as Senior Vice President and Director of Mortgage Banking. Becraft will lead Bay Bank's effort to expand their presence in the Baltimore-Washington residential construction and mortgage banking markets.