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Greetings!
While our Centennial Bash may have just ended, by no means are we through celebrating our 100th year! We have two signature events (
The 3rd Annual Public Safety Awards and
The 29th Annual Commerce Cup ) left before our 100th Annual Meeting in September! We're feeling invigorated and ready to dig into all of the fun planning.
We're also excited to announce our first
joint Chamber event, teaming up with the
Frederick County Chamber of Commerce to host a fun night at
Big Cork Vineyards on
Wednesday, June 12th
(from 5:30-7:30). We hope to see you there for this powerful event full of networking opportunities from Frederick's great membership, as well as our own!
Hope you've had a wonderful month,
PAUL FREY, DONNA MITCHELL, TIM LUIPERSBECK
ROD IRISH
& ASHLEY PALMER
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Welcome Our New Members |
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14014 Marsh Pike
Hagerstown, MD
301.733.8700
Eliz Restaurant & Lounge
11353 Robinwood Dr.
Hagerstown, MD
240.513.2690
Leadership Development Resources
21605 Mt. Lena Rd.
Boonsboro, MD
301.733.6485
Maryland Cultivation and Processing
560 Western Maryland Pkwy.
Hagerstown, MD
240.785.2143
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Centennial Events Not to Be Missed |
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100th Annual Meeting
Thursday, September 26th, 5pm
Fountain Head Country Club, 13316 Fountain Head Rd., Hagerstown, MD
A members-only dinner event celebrating not just the accomplishments made by our Chamber (and membership) throughout fiscal year 2019, but also honoring the past 100 years of this important institution. We'll also celebrate the beginning of fiscal year 2020 with the passing of the gavel from current Board Chair Keith Grunow to Incoming Chair Gary Hayes.
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Members Making News
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Find Out What's New with Some of Our Members!
Have some news to share? Email Director of Member Services Tim Luipersbeck at [email protected] to be included in an upcoming newsletter.
Mary K. Bowman Fund for Historical and Fine Arts Grants More than $68,000 to Local Nonprofits
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The Mary K. Bowman Fund for Historical and Fine Arts, a fund of the
Community Foundation of Washington County MD, Inc. recently presented its 2019 grants at the
Hagerstown Regional Airport. The Mary K. Bowman Fund provides financial support for current charitable and educational initiatives that preserve and maintain historical and cultural properties in Washington County. It also promotes the fine arts, history and historic preservation while encouraging the interest in and study of such matters. Preference may be given to initiatives supported by Miss Bowman prior to her passing.
This year's fund awarded $68,984 to the following 15 local nonprofit organizations:
* Barbara Ingram School for the Arts Foundation: $1,070 for the Summer Arts Academy for students in grades 5th-12th.
* Boys & Girls Club of Washington County: $1,000 for a girl's step team that incorporates all four area clubs.
* C&O Canal Trust: $5,000 for canal classrooms in Williamsport providing a multidisciplinary STEAM program to 4th graders.
* Douglas G. Bast Museum of History and Preservation, Inc: $2,000 for the development of outreach and educational materials.
* Hagerstown Aviation Museum: $3,929 to support the Fairchild PT-19 Aircraft restoration project.
* Hagerstown Community Concert Association: $2,750 for student outreach concerts to participating students from Washington County Public Schools.
* Hagerstown Day Nursery: $4,150 for the children at the center to attend all Kinder Konzerts and visit the Discovery Station and Washington County Museum of Fine Arts.
* Maryland Symphony Orchestra: $10,000 to support the 2019-20 Kinder Konzert series.
* Sharpsburg Historical Society: $2,700 to reset, recover and repair the remaining tombstones in Methodist Cemetery.
* Trinity Reformed United Church of Christ: $5,000 for a stained-glass window restoration project.
* Washington County Arts Council: $1,000 for the Art Educators of Washington County 2020 Exhibit.
* Washington County Historical Society: $3,075 for conservation work on the 1864 Ransom Demand of Hagerstown by the Confederate troops.
* Washington County Historical Trust: $7,500 to restore the Saylor House at Kiwanis Park.
* Washington County Museum of Fine Arts: $15,860 to support youth art education programs during 2019-20.
* Zion Reformed United Church of Christ: $3,950 for the restoration, preservation and maintenance of their historical cemetery.
The Community Foundation of Washington County MD, Inc. has a five-year annualized investment return that makes it one of the top performing community foundations in the country. The Foundation has over $39 million in assets and has distributed more than $20 million in grants and scholarships since 1997. Donors can support any of its 325 funds or create a charitable fund of their own. To learn how to create a fund at the Community Foundation, please visit www.cfwcmd.org, or call (301) 745-5210
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Industry Vet Khuri Named Executive VP for Orrstown Bank
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Orrstown Bank announced today that local banking industry veteran Zachary ("Zack") Khuri has joined the company as Executive Vice President and Market President for the Capital Region. In this role, Mr. Khuri will be responsible for overseeing the bank's business development and community engagement efforts throughout Dauphin and York Counties as well as the West Shore community in Cumberland County.
"We are thrilled to welcome Zack to the Orrstown Bank team," said Thomas R. Quinn, Jr., President and Chief Executive Officer. "Zack brings a wealth of experience to our organization and we are confident that he will contribute greatly to our continued growth and success throughout the region."
Mr. Khuri comes to Orrstown Bank from FNB Corporation where he served as Commercial Team Leader for the past three years. Prior to that, he spent eight years with the former Metro Bank as Market President for Harrisburg and as a Commercial Loan Officer.
He is a graduate of Pennsylvania State University with a Master of Business Administration degree. Mr. Khuri is actively engaged in the community through his service on the boards of the Harrisburg Regional Chamber of Commerce, Humane Society of Harrisburg Area, and Pinnacle Health Foundation. He also serves as a coach for Cumberland Valley Rugby. Mr. Khuri and his family reside in the Mechanicsburg, Pennsylvania area.
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HCC Names Pongratz Head Volleyball Coach
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Leah Pongratz has been named head volleyball coach for the 2019-20 academic year at
Hagerstown Community College.
"We are very excited for Leah Pongratz to take over the head coach responsibilities of our volleyball program," said HCC Athletic Director
Robert Rohan. "Coach Pongratz has years of successful experience at a variety of levels, as well as recruiting quality student-athletes to play at the college level. Her level of organization and her knowledge of skill and strategy will be great assets as she continues to grow our program."
Pongratz graduated from HCC in 2005 and transferred to Salisbury University, earning a bachelor's degree in psychology. She went on to earn a master's degree in teaching from Frostburg State University.
Most recently, Pongratz served as the head women's volleyball coach at Penn State Mont Alto, where she accumulated a record of 19-4. She advanced her team to the PSUAC Championship and was nominated for the PSUAC Conference Coach of the Year. She also served as head coach of several high school programs, including Mercersburg Academy, Saint Maria Goretti High School, and Boonsboro High School.
"I am looking forward to working with this core group of returning players, and new recruits, to continue building on HCC's established program," said Pongratz. "We have a very talented group and I am excited to see how they all get together to make this a successful season."
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Cedar Ridge Resident Wins Top Place at Racine Run/Bike/Run
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Deandre R., a resident at Cedar Ridge Children's Home & School, Inc. in Williamsport, came in first place at the Racine Run/Bike/Run. The event, considered a Duathalon was held on April 20th in Hagerstown's Halfway Park.
Deandre just turned 16 years old and attends Williamsport High School. He is on the Williamsport track team and has a passion for running. He says that running also helps relieve some of the stress that he feels from everyday life. He has lived at Cedar Ridge Children's Home for just over a year and is still thinking about what he wants to do upon graduation from high school.
He is thinking about taking some classes at Washington County Technical High School
Deandre has a good sense of humor, is friendly and is good at puzzles such as Rubik's cube.
Cedar Ridge provides quality residential care for abused, abandoned, neglected, adjudicated and emotionally challenged boys between the ages of 6 and 14.
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Meritus Family Medicine Residency Program First of
its Kind in the Area
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Meritus Health has officially started a new family medicine residency program, the only one of its kind in western Maryland.
Following a five-year investment in foundational work to grow primary care access in the county,
Meritus Family Medicine Residency Program will admit its first residents to the hospital's campus July 1, 2019. The program is an ACGME (Accreditation Council for Graduate Medical Education) accredited graduate medical education initiative.
"There is nothing else like this in our area," says Dr. Doug Spotts, vice president and chief population health officer for Meritus Health. "Our program has attracted physicians from Maryland and surrounding states for interdisciplinary training in specialty care right here in our community hospital."
The residency program will offer physicians three years of structured supervised training alongside Meritus Medical Center's medical staff. The program will be based at
Robinwood Professional Center, suite 200, a 17,000-square-foot practice center. In addition, Meritus Family Medicine, Robinwood, is relocating from suite 107 to suite 200 alongside the new program in the coming weeks.
"Residencies are essentially apprenticeship training in a specialty - in this case, family medicine expertise for primary care physicians," says
Paul Quesenberry, M.D., program director of the residency program.
"Our physicians, who already provide first-class care in this county, have now chosen to deepen their commitment to the community by training the next generation of doctors."
"This program will increase access to care for our community, as national studies show that 60-70 percent of physicians participating in residency programs will stay and practice medicine within 50-60 miles of their training site once they graduate board certified," says Dr. Quesenberry.
New patients will be accepted by the faculty physicians from the residency program beginning May 28. Anyone in need of a primary care provider may contact the practice at 301-714-4400.
More details on the Meritus Family Medicine Residency Program are available at www.meritushealth.com.
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Hagerstown Regional Airport Receives Funding from Department of Transportation
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U.S. Senators Ben Cardin and Chris Van Hollen (both D-Md.) announced
Hagerstown Regional Airport will receive funding from the Department of Transportation.
In response to the funding,
Garrison Plessinger, Director at Hagerstown Regional Airport says, "We are excited to expand the terminal in order to provide our customers with a better experience. The hold room will more than double in size and will have concessions available when waiting for your flight."
The full press release is below.
U.S. Senators Ben Cardin and Chris Van Hollen (both D-Md.) have announced $12,030,000 in federal funding for the Hagerstown Regional Airport and the Garrett County Airport through the Department of Transportation (DOT). The grants will be used to fund repairs and improvements to the airports' runways, including the construction of taxiway extensions. The Hagerstown Regional Airport will receive $5,400,000, and the Garrett County Airport will receive $6,630,000.
"Small airports are important hubs for connecting communities and businesses throughout Western Maryland," said Senator Cardin, the senior Democrat on the Environment and Public Works Committee's Transportation and Infrastructure Subcommittee. "I am pleased by this federal investment and will continue to fight for much needed improvements to all of Maryland's transportation infrastructure."
"Maryland's regional airports are a crucial asset to our local economy. Both Hagerstown Regional Airport and Garrett County Airport allow visitors and residents the ability to travel and do business quickly and safely. They also help connect our local industries to opportunities across the mid-Atlantic region, growing their potential and our economy," said Senator Van Hollen, a member of the Senate Budget and Appropriations committees. "I will keep working in Congress to ensure that Maryland has the funding it needs to keep our regional airports safe and accessible to all."
These DOT grants were awarded through the FY18 Airport Improvement (AIP) Supplemental Appropriation Program. The program funds various types of airport infrastructure projects across the country, including repairs and upgrades to runways, taxiways, airport signage, lighting and markings - all while creating thousands of good-paying, local jobs. Senators Cardin and Van Hollen have continuously fought for funding the AIP program which was included in the five-year reauthorization of the Federal Aviation Administration package. Over the last five years, this program has brought more than $140 million in federal investments to Maryland airports for critical safety improvements.
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Board Members Sought by Arc of Washington County
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Executive Director of
The Arc of Washington County
Troy Van Scoyoc is putting forth a call for active members of the Washington County civic & professional community to apply for available seats among their Board of Directors.
Applicants should have a particular interest in the disabled community and have a passion for supporting this organization's cause through active fundraising participation and being a loyal brand ambassador.
Interested parties should apply by contacting Van Scoyoc at [email protected] or 301-733-3550
For more information about The Arc of Washington County, visit www.arcwc-md.org |
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Upcoming Chamber Events |
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Register for one of these upcoming Chamber functions!
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Learning Lunch Hour
Tuesday, June 4th, 11:30am-1:00pm
Public Speaking Tips
Applause Caterers, 58 E. Washington St., Hagerstown, MD
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Bowman Group Presents:
Eggs & Issues with
the Washington County Dept. of Business Development
Wednesday, June 5th, 7:30-9:00am
Applause Caterers, 58 E. Washington St., Hagerstown, MD
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Joint Chamber Event: Washington County & Frederick County!
Wednesday, June 12th, 5:30-7:30pm
Big Cork Vineyards, 4236 Main St., Rohrersville, MD
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B.A.S.H. (Business and Social Hour) at Shepherd's Spring
Thursday, June 20th, 5:00-7:00pm
16869 Taylor's Landing Rd., Sharpsburg, MD
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Upcoming Ribbon Cuttings |
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Join Us a We Support Our Members on Their Big Day!
Eliz Restaurant & Lounge
11353 Robinwood Drive, Hagerstown, MD
Thursday, May 23rd, 4:30pm
Please join the Washington County Chamber of Commerce business & legislative community Thursday, May 23rd at 4:30pm as we celebrate the grand opening of one of Hagerstown's newest restaurants! We'll be networking and mingling and then cutting the ribbon after a few key announcements. Join the celebration! COMPLIMENTARY FOOD BUFFET FROM 4:30 - 5:30, followed by 5% OFF MENU ITEMS AFTER 5:30PM!
Anytime Fitness - Emerald Square Location
19405 Emerald Sq., Suite 1500, Hagerstown, MD
Friday, June 7th, 11am
Celebrate the grand opening of your new neighborhood 24/7 fitness center! Offering high-end LifeFitness and Hammer Strength training equipment, individual, small group and functional training, this affordable and convenient gym is also the newest addition to the brand-new Emerald Square professional complex.
Wolf Financial Services (Allstate)
15 Year Anniversary Open House / Luncheon
19737 Leitersburg Pike, Hagerstown, MD
Thursday, June 13th, 12 Noon
The team of Wolf Financial Services (Allstate) is celebrating 15 years of service to the community and to celebrate, they're having an open house ribbon cutting to kick off the next 15 years (and beyond). Join us for some celebratory remarks, stay for lunch!
Interested in having a ribbon cutting/open house for your organization? Contact Director of Member Services Tim Luipersbeck today to get started, at [email protected]. It's a FREE perk of your membership!
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SBDC Corner |
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A valued contribution from our partners at the Maryland Small Business Development Center
Your car needs an oil change every 3,000 miles, a wash every few weeks and a new battery about every five years. Just like you take your car to the mechanic to keep it running smoothly, you need to perform regular checkups on your business health. It's not just about performance, it's about safety.
Most business owners are extremely busy working on various parts of their operations, so without regular check-ups on financial health, they can easily lose control and become susceptible to financial problems.
The Maryland SBDC has come up with a way to help your business stay healthy. It's the Business Health Check Up. It's a quick survey you take regarding the status of your business. Once completed you receive a dashboard summary of your business based on your answers. You will quickly see areas that are in great shape and areas that may need improvement.
If there is any area of your business you would like help with, the Maryland SBDC is here to help. The Maryland SBDC not only helps people start businesses, we help people keep their businesses stay strong and grow.
Your Washington County SBDC Consultant is Herb Melrath, 888-237-9007 ext. 4 Or [email protected]
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About Us |
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Washington County Chamber of Commerce members include more than 600 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!
Washington County Chamber of Commerce
Celebrating 100 Years!
1 South Potomac Street
Hagerstown, Maryland 21740
Washington County Chamber of Commerce
(301) 739-2015
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