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The Howard County Chamber is Now Officially Located at 6240 Old Dobbin Lane!
It has been a long and crazy week, but we are finally in our new office space and loving it! We have a lot of people to thank for helping make this move successful, but we want to start with
Howard Tech Advisors,
HoCo Haulers and
Perry Moving & Storage. We also owe a big thank you to
Sandy Spring Bank for giving us a lot of great office furniture they no longer needed.
We will be closed for the holiday on Monday, but will re-open Tuesday morning in our new office. Stay tuned for details about our open house this fall.
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The Business Monthly Will Be Contacting You for our 2018 Business Resource Guide & Member Directory
As part of our ongoing rebranding process, the Chamber has once again teamed up with the incredible people at The Business Monthly to produce our
2018 Business Resource Guide and Member Directory
.
You will notice a few changes this year, but one thing that hasn't changed, is that you will still be contacted by The Business Monthly team over the next month to verify your directory listing information. They will also be offering you the opportunity to upgrade to an enhanced listing and even take advantage of the exposure the publication will provide by purchasing an ad. If you want to guarantee an advertising spot in this year's Directory, contact The Business Monthly team at
410-740-7300.
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County Council Chair Files Legislation For Economic Opportunity Task Force
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"As noted from its many accolades, Howard County is a wonderful place to live and conduct business. Yet, our future prosperity will center on promoting a competitive, pro-business atmosphere coupled with our ability to adequately support those who are socioeconomically disadvantaged. "
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Howard Co. Council Members Introduce Bill to Repeal Columbia TIF
Howard County Councilman Calvin Ball and Councilwoman Jen Terrasa have announced they will introduce legislation next week to repeal Council Bill 56-2016, that authorized the county to issue $90 million in tax increment financing (TIF) Bonds to finance a public parking garage, roads, and intersection improvements in Downtown Columbia.
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Howard Co. Executive Submits Legislation Aimed at Helping Veteran-Owned Businesses
Howard County Executive Allan Kittleman has just submitted legislation aimed at making it easier for veteran-owned businesses to do business with the county. The legislation would change the existing Equal Business Opportunity (EBO) Program to give veteran-owned businesses the same types of advantages already provided for minority and women owned businesses and businesses owned by people with disabilities.
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Columbia Association Wants Your Thoughts on Their Next Budget
Columbia Association is in the process of drafting its budget for the next two-year budget cycle, and they are looking for input from the public.
Each year the Chamber puts out a comprehensive list of legislative issues we are following and advocating for or against. The Columbia Association budget process ties in with one of those issues for 2017. Columbia area commercial property assessments contribute an estimated $13 million in revenue each year to the Columbia Association, but commercial property owners have little representation on the Columbia Association Board of Directors. The Chamber has encouraged exploratory options that would allow Columbia commercial property to have a greater voice in Columbia Association operations.
We encourage you our members to take part and give your input at upcoming CA board work sessions and meetings as this budget process plays out.
The Columbia Association work sessions and meetings will be held at 7:30 p.m. at CA Headquarters at 6310 Hillside Court and a public budget forum will be held January 18, 2018 at 7:30 p.m. at Slayton House in the Wilde Lake Village Center.
For more information about the CA budget process and meeting schedules, click
here.
For more on this issue and our other 2017 Issues for Legislative Action, click
here.
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US 29 Pedestrian Bridge Improvement Project Announced
There are lots of exciting changes happening in and around Downtown Columbia, and now, you can add the pedestrian bridge crossing US 29 to the list! Howard County Executive Allan Kittleman just announced that work to improve and enhance the pedestrian bridge will start next Tuesday.
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CAC Honoring Senator Guy Guzzone & Howard Co. Exec. Allan Kittleman
Howard County Executive Allan Kittleman and Senator Guy Guzzone have been selected by the Community Action Council of Howard County to receive their 2017 Humanitarian Service Award. Both men are being honored for their work finding and securing the Howard County Food Bank a permanent location.
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FAI Wealth Management President Appointed to Serve on MD General Assembly's Compensation Commission
Maryland Governor Larry Hogan has just announced that FAI Wealth Management President and CEO, Lyn A. Dippel, JD, CFP, has been appointed to serve on the Maryland General Assembly's Compensation Commission. The Commission is responsible for reviewing and suggesting changes to compensation for members of the General Assembly.
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HCC Named One Of Nation's Top 10 Two-Year Colleges for Adult Learners
Howard Community College has been named one of the country's top 10 two-year colleges for adult learners by Washington Monthly. HCC was ranked 7th overall thanks to high scores for its ease of transfer, services for adult students and flexible programs.
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Columbia 50th Birthday Celebration
We have been celebrating Columbia's 50th Birthday all year, but there are still several big events coming up. The Columbia 50th Birthday Celebration organization is presenting "Building a Better City: Columbia's Legacy and Promise" on September 19th. Before the screening, there will be a "reunion" in the lobby where people who worked on the Columbia project can mingle with people currently living and working in Columbia.
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PHILLIPS School in Laurel Celebrating 50th Anniversary
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Congratulations to PHILLIPS School in Laurel on 50 Years in Business! In honor of the 50th anniversary, a proclamation will be read before the Howard County Council next Tuesday, September 5th.
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2017 Howie Award Nomination Forms Now Available
The Howard County Arts Council is still looking for nominations. The Council is asking for nominations of individuals and businesses that have made a significant contribution to the arts in Howard County for their 2017 Howie Awards.
For more information about the award rules, or to nominate your business or another member business in the community, please email
Kristi Simon at
[email protected].
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Thank you to our new Ribbon Cutting Sponsor, the Better Business Bureau serving greater Maryland!
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Welcome to our new members this week!
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Happy Anniversary!
The following organizations joined the HCCC this week in history! We couldn't do what we do without you!
- Wells Fargo Home Mortgage - 10 Year Anniversary
- Pure Wine Cafe - 8 Year Anniversary
- Hampton Inn & Suites Columbia - 5 Year Anniversary
- Athelas Foundation - 4 Year Anniversary
- Plaxen & Adler, P.A. - 3 Year Anniversary
- The James and Anne Robinson Foundation - 3 Year Anniversary
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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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