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Your Weekly News & Updates - June 1, 2017
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Maryland Healthy Working Families Act Vetoed by Governor Hogan
As promised, Governor Larry Hogan has vetoed House Bill 1, also known as the Maryland Healthy Working Families Act, and commonly referred to as the Mandatory Paid Sick Leave Act.
As the Voice of Business for Howard County, the Chamber strongly opposed the legislation because we believe employers should remain free to determine their own leave policies that are consistent with business operating needs. The Chamber has actively advocated for more balanced and predictable leave laws that promote economic development and do not impose unreasonable costs on businesses or their customers. For these reasons, we support the Governor's decision to veto HB1.
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County Executive Kittleman's Budget Approved by Howard County Council
Howard County Executive Allan Kittleman's fiscal 2018 capital and operating budget has been passed unanimously by the County Council.
The budget also provides funding for critical projects and initiatives including the following:
- Creation of the Howard County Innovation Center in Columbia Gateway to serve as a catalyst to attract private investments and expand the Maryland Center for Entrepreneurship
- More money for the Howard County Public School System than the mandated Maintenance of Effort level. The budget fully funds teacher salary increases, special education needs and restores 87 para-educator positions and the new Director of Diversity, Equity and Inclusion position.
- Launch of the 24/7 Education Initiative for programs tackling achievement disparities. Initiatives will help provide mental health services for children; provide summer food access in targeted areas; address critical performance gaps; and add a human services specialist to support the initiative, grants management and program development
- Support for mental health initiatives and substance abuse services, including $150,000 for coordinated efforts in fighting the opioid crisis and funding for site selection and design for a detox and outpatient treatment center
- Funding for a new human trafficking prevention manager to coordinate with county agencies involved in this effort
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Apprenticeship Employer Fair
Join employers, including Maryland DLLR, from across the region to learn how your organization can benefit from Apprenticeship Programs in IT, Cyber Security, and Digital & Social Media providing you access to energetic, focused employees whose training and skills will be customized to the needs of your business - at a fraction of the cost!
Alliance Technology Group Headquarters Office
7010 Hi Tech Drive
Hanover, MD 21076
June 20, 2017
1:45 p.m. - 6 p.m.
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Governor's Office of Minority Affairs: Access to Capital Forum
Join the Governor's Office of Minority Affairs for an Access to Capital Forum designed to provide information from state and federal experts on different funding streams available to the small business community.
The forum will provide information about what qualifications lenders require to provide funding for start-up, emerging and growing businesses.
Governor's Coordinating Offices
1st Floor Conference Room
100 Community Place, Crownsville, MD 21032
June 27, 2017
10 a.m. - 1 p.m.
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Welcome to our new members!
(New Members As of the last 45 days)
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Happy Anniversary! The Following Organizations Joined the HCCC This Week in History!
- Fort Meade Alliance - 5 Year Anniversary
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Little Patuxent Square Open For Business
The skyline of Downtown Columbia continues to grow, including Little Patuxent Square, which is now officially open.
The $80M mixed-use development, located at 10175 Little Patuxent Parkway, was built by Costello Construction and features 158,000 square feet of Class A office space, 10,000 square feet of retail space, 5 1/2 levels of below-grade parking, a 6,000 square foot open-air courtyard and 160 luxury apartments with access to a rooftop pool.
Optum, a subsidiary of UnitedHealth Group, will occupy 130,000 square feet of office space for 344 employees this month. Howard Bank is also a confirmed tenant.
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Chamber Board Executive Committee Member Ananta Hejeebu Appointed to Board of Education
Chamber Board Executive Committee member Ananta Hejeebu has been tapped by County Executive Allan Kittleman to fill a vacant position on the county's seven-member Board of Education.
Hejeebu, the founder and managing partner of Howard Tech Advisors, has two children currently attending and one who recently graduated from the Howard County Public School System. He has also been involved with the county's special education program both as a parent and an advocate for his son. In addition to his dedication to working with the Chamber, Hejeebu also serves on the Howard County Transition Commission for Youth with Disabilities and the Howard County Public School System Budget Review Committee.
Howard County Executive Allan Kittleman says, "w
e spent a great deal of time considering the best fit for the current board. Mr. Hejeebu brings the right experience and commitment to the position. His personal experience with special education, understanding of the HCPSS budget and business background uniquely qualifies him to bring a fresh perspective to the Board of Education. As the Board goes through this transition phase with an interim superintendent, Mr. Hejeebu's management experience and community involvement will assist the Board in making decisions."
Hejeebu's appointment will go before the County Council at its June 5th legislative session and during a public hearing on the 19th. If he is confirmed, Hejeebu would serve out O'Connor's remaining term that goes through December 2018.
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Leadership Howard County is Looking for Nonprofit or Government Organizations in Need of Help
Leadership Howard County (LHC) is looking for nonprofit or government entities that have projects or issues to tackle, but don't have the time, staff or expertise they need.
Participants in several LHC programs are asked to do community impact projects with local nonprofits and have helped more than 70 organizations already, but they are now accepting proposals for new projects appropriate for Leadership Premier participants who are experienced leaders typically in senior leader positions in their own organizations.
Small teams of Leadership Premier participants work together to research, create a plan or propose a creative solution to a problem identified by a local nonprofit.
You can learn more by attending one of their information sessions at Loyola University Maryland's Columbia Campus on June 15th at 8:30 a.m. or June 19th at 4 p.m.
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Recharge Ribbon Cutting and Meet & Greet
Join the Chamber for a meet and greet at Recharge!
Enjoy free food, a ping pong tournament and a tour of the space which includes physiotherapy, HoCoCrossfit and Mindfulness.
June 8, 2017
4 - 5 p.m.
5136 Dorsey Hall Blvd
Ellicott City, MD 21042
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The Chamber Celebrates VP of Operations Joanne Birdsong & Director of Membership Terri Carpenter
Join us to celebrate the retirement of our Vice President of Operations, Joanne Birdsong, and the transition of Director of Membership, Terri Carpenter.
Joanne is retiring from the Chamber after ten years of dedicated service. It is impossible to put into words what Joanne has meant to the Chamber over the last decade, but she has been an instrumental part of every goal we've achieved, and has been essential to the development and implementation of our strategic plan.
Terri is moving on to another opportunity after nearly three successful years as the Chambers' Director of Membership. We wish her well as she starts a new chapter.
The Chamber is now accepting applications for two positions. We are hiring a new Director of Membership and a part time Office Administrator.
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Have you Booked Your Trip with the Howard County Chamber of Commerce
to Pompeii, the Amalfi Coast and Rome in October?
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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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Howard County Public School System's Interim Superintendent Dr. Michael Martirano to Speak at September Chamber Member Luncheon
We are thrilled to announce that the Interim Superintendent of Howard County Public School System, Dr. Michael Martirano, will be speaking at our Howard County 2017 State of the School System Address in September.
Save the Date for September 14th!
Sponsorship opportunities are available.
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Looking for Howard
County Government Procurement
Opportunities?
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