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Early-bird Exhibitor Pricing Ends TODAY! Click here to purchase.
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 Want to learn more about GSSCC's YPN?
Join our Young Professionals Network for a YPN 101 Orientation & Happy Hour from 4 p.m. to 5 p.m. this Thursday, February 7, at the Chamber office. Learn about the group's mission, activities, and how you can be involved in shaping the future of this growing GSSCC network. Happy hour with complimentary beverages and snacks to follow. Register here.
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 Join GSSCC to Welcome Panagora Group
GSSCC is pleased to be invited to cut a ribbon for the grand opening of a special open house to celebrate Panagora Group's opening in Silver Spring. Join the celebration at 5:30 p.m. on Thursday, February 7, in the Lee Building, 8601 Georgia Avenue, Suite 905. Please call the office at 301-565-3777 to RSVP.
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 SSIC Powered by Launch to Host
Join Chamber members and guests for a from 7:45 a.m. to 9 a.m. on Wednesday, February 20, at SSIC Powered by Launch (8070 Georgia Avenue). Free for members. Continental breakfast served. Attendees could win complimentary use of SSIC's conference room or an Amazon Echo Dot.
Click here to register. Need log in information, call the Chamber office.
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 From the Halls of Annapolis. . .
The good, the bad, and the rest. . . .More bills that could impact business's ability to manage its workforce, proposals to extend job-creation and R&D tax credits, a bill to ban the use of plastic straws in restaurants, and one that proposes property tax credits for certain businesses harmed during Purple Line construction were among legislation introduced in the General Assembly in recent weeks.
A bill that would allow "expungement of non-violent convictions" (including embezzlement and more) from a person's record, would make it difficult for employers to determine whether a candidate would be appropriate for certain jobs. Legislation introduced by Montgomery County Delegate Al Carr and Senator Will Smith would nullify certain non-compete and conflict of interest clauses and could limit certain employers' ability to protect trade secrets. Senator Smith has also introduced legislation that would require the Maryland Attorney General to collect "reasonable counsel fees and other costs" for handling a complaint against the an employer found in violation of wage and hour laws. This is in addition to any judgement or fines assessed. Montgomery County Delegate Arianna Kelly introduced a bill that would require certain employers to pay into a "Family and Medical Leave Insurance Program."
On the positive side, the House and Senate leadership, at the Governor's request, has introduced a series of bills that would: allow tax credits to certain small businesses that provide paid parental leave, extend job-creation tax credits, and extend research and development tax credits. Another would assure that certain employers are not liable for negligent hiring or inadequate supervision of an employee who had been convicted of a previous crime. Unfortunately, because these are supported by the Governor, they have little chance of moving in the Democrat-controlled General Assembly.
Montgomery County Delegate Jheanelle Wilkins (Silver Spring) has brought back a bill, defeated last year, that could provide income and property tax credits to businesses and property owners who can prove losses due to being in a Purple Line construction area. Like last year, it is unclear where the money for these credits will come, since it is not specified in the bill.
GSSCC's Government Affairs Committee is monitoring these bills, with Chamber President Jane Redicker weighing in to support or oppose those that impact business. Members with questions about GSSCC's advocacy efforts may call Jane at 301-565-3777.
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Welcome New GSSCC Members!
Please join us in welcoming these new members who joined the Chamber in January. Take a moment and learn about what they do and what products and services they offer!
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First-Time New Member
Devona Jefferson Photography
Devona Jefferson
11951 Old Columbia Pike
Silver Spring, MD 20904
(301) 509-6431
Photographer
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Rejoining
The Emerald Door Spa
Sandra Magwood
8311 Grubb Rd.
Silver Spring, MD 20910
(301) 587-5800
Salon/Spa
Scott Team International
Olivia Fenton
795 Rockville Pike
Rockville, MD 20852
(301) 424-0900
Residential Real Estate
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Thanks for Renewing!
Thank you to these organizations that renewed their membership investment in January.
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MEMBERS 20+ YEARS
Cahn & Samuels, LLP
Cornerstone Montgomery, Inc.
Hanagan's Auto Body
Shepherd's Table, Inc.
Summit Hills Apartments & Corporate Suites
MEMBERS 15+ YEARS
Fairland Animal Hospital
MEMBERS 10+ YEARS
Blair Mill, LLC
My Carpet Cleaning Service
My Office Products
Rollingwood Apartments
Sandy Spring Bank
Self Storage Plus
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MEMBERS 5+ YEARS
Adeptus Partners
Advance Financial, LLC
Bonanza Coins
Costco - Wheaton
David S. Rose, PhD, LLC
Interfaith Works Empowerment Center at Progress Place
Minimally Invasive Vascular Centers
The Universities at Shady Grove
NEWER MEMBERS
Advance Business Systems
Sherwin-Williams
H Street Business Solutions
Maryland's Athletic House
Speedpro Imaging - Silver Spring
Summit Group
Sunshine Smiles Dental Care
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Wanted: Social Media Wizard with Expertise Beyond Facebook
Does your organization have a social media wizard? Someone who would be willing share his or her expertise with members of GSSCC's nonprofit team? The group is
seeking a presenter or presenters for a panel at its April 9 program (9 a.m. to 10 a.m., in the Chamber office) entitled, "Social Media: Beyond Facebook. . . ." Contact Taylor Hawkins if you can help.
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* 9Round Silver Spring (Silver Spring Metro Plaza, 8403 Colesville Road) will host "Burpee and Kicks Week" from February 11 to February 15. Fitness enthusiasts who stop in can challenge trainers and others to do burpees in exchange for donating to $1 to Shepherd's Table, a local theater group or both, for each successful burpee performed.
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See your company's news here! GSSCC is pleased to highlight news from our member companies in this section of the weekly e-news. Please submit items via email to [email protected] before close of business each Friday. Include a pdf of news releases or other flyers.
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Upcoming Committee/Group Meetings
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Joint Government Affairs and Economic Development Committee
meeting with Councilmember even Glass - February 1. Limited space, preference given to committee members. Call the office for details.
* Non-Profit Team - 9 a.m. on Tuesday, February 12
* Economic Development Committee - 9 .m. on Thursday, February 21. Montgomery County Planning Department's research team will present its latest report: County Trends - A Look at People, Housing, Jobs since 1990
* Membership Development Committee - 9 a.m. on Tuesday, February 26
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About GSSCC Committee/Team Meetings:
All GSSCC members are welcome to participate in Chamber committees. Members are welcome to attend committee meetings to assess interest in joining a committee. Meetings are typically held in the GSSCC Conference Room. Advance RSVP is required and priority will be given to existing committee members when speakers are scheduled.
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Thank you to our 2018-2019 GSSCC Partners
Corporate Partners - Downtown Silver Spring; Lee Development Group; Montgomery College; Statland & Katz/Joseph W. McCartin Insurance; Washington Adventist Hospital
Business Partners - Andalman & Flynn, AFI Silver Theatre; Apex Home Loans; Atlantech Online; Bud Miller Associates, Inc.; Digital Industry; EagleBank; Eggspectation; The Fillmore Silver Spring; Lerch, Early & Brewer Chtd.; Linowes and Blocher, LLP; M&T Bank; Revere Bank; The Tower Companies (The Blairs); United Therapeutics Corporation; Washington Property Company.
Partners - Adam Lowe Creative; Bell Flowers; Carlton Creative; EBA Ernest Bland Associates; IBI - Innovative Business Interiors; My Office Products; Signs By Tomorrow.
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