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Chamber Connections

March 26, 2020

The CMC Is Here to Help!!

The Central Maryland Chamber (CMC) is actively monitoring developments regarding COVID-19. For business resources and information regarding COVID-19, click here .

We strive to inform, promote, connect and advocate for our business community !

If you have more information or resources for the region's business community, please reach out!

As a chamber member, please share your business needs with us (part-time work, volunteers, promotional support for new temporary business practices, etc.) by clicking here . If there is any way the Central Maryland Chamber can support your business during these uncertain times—let us know!

The CMC staff will be working remotely as much as possible through the rest of March. As always, you can continue to reach out to us via phone at (410) 672-3422, email, or through social media ( Facebook , Twitter , Instagram & LinkedIn ) during business hours 8:00 a.m. – 2:30 p.m.

Your chamber team is here to serve you!

Kim Wirt, Director of Operations: Kim@CentralMarylandChamber.org

Karen Russell, Director of Membership: Karen@CentralMarylandChamber.org

Olivia Hokanson, Administrative Assistant: Olivia@CentralMarylandChamber.org

Support our local businesses during this uncertain time! Unsure how? The Central Maryland Chamber of Commerce has some great ideas for you!

Let's Play Bingo!

Print and/or download by clicking the sheet below and fill in the ways you are supporting local/small businesses. Send your completed bingo card with proof that you have completed the designated square to info@centralmarylandchamber.org.

Each completed 'bingo' card counts as one entry to win a surprise gift card from a Chamber member business. Bonus entry if you share on social media (& show proof by tagging us-- social media links at the top of the newsletter).

We will have a drawing Friday, April 3.

Families First Coronavirus Response Act

The U.S. Department of Labor’s Wage and Hour Division (WHD) published its first round of implementation guidance pursuant to the Families First Coronavirus Response Act (FFCRA). The guidance addresses critical questions such as:

How does an employer count its number of employees to determine coverage?
How can small businesses obtain an exemption?
How does an employer count hours for part-time employees?
How does an employer calculate wages employees are entitled to under the FFCRA?

The initial WHD guidance is available in three-parts

WBAL NewsRadio Invites Your Participation in Operation: Shop Local

Amid the Global COVID-19 pandemic, we must band together and care for those around us. While caring for our families, colleagues and neighbors, we can’t forget to care for our small business owners. The local boutique, cozy restaurant and lively bar that we frequent may be in jeopardy as our region has been ordered to social distance and isolate to stop the spread of novel coronavirus.

WBAL NewsRadio, 98 Rock and WBAL-TV 11 are proud to launch Operation: Shop Local, a community initiative to benefit small businesses in the Baltimore region and beyond. Through Operation: Shop Local, local small business owners can submit direct links to their company’s website to purchase gift cards that are redeemable at a later time. Together, we can keep the businesses that enrich our neighborhoods alive during these unprecedented times.

In addition, one of the hosts is highlighting a different business each day. If you would like to contact Yuripzy Morgan to possibly appear on her show, email: yuripzy.morgan@hearst.com. Yuripzy's show is weekdays from 1:00 - 3:00pm, 1090 AM and 101.5 FM.

Better Business Bureau Seeking Volunteers to Support Small Businesses

Do you want to support small businesses in need?

Now more than ever, BBB remains committed to trust. For that reason, BBB will be offering a new business counseling service to our small Accredited Businesses - those with 20 employees or less.

This service will consist of a team of Trusted Advisors, offering business counseling to those who are struggling to stay above water in the wake of Coronavirus. To make this service possible, BBB is looking for volunteers who can donate a few hours of their time to help guide struggling business owners.

What BBB needs from you:

Your expertise - volunteers will offer personalized advice directly to struggling business owners
Your time - consultations will take place online, in 1 hour blocks

If you would like to become a Trusted Advisor, please apply today!

Apply

AFLAC Insurance Information

Dear fellow chamber members,

If your company does not offer voluntary benefits such as short-term disability and a plan that pays benefits for hospital stays, you can reach out to Matt Slovick for more information. Also, federal employees or postal workers can enroll in a hospital plan that pays up to $2,000 for one night in the hospital.

Matt Slovick, Aflac

301-503-0843; m.slovick@comcast.net

Langton Green Seeking Donations

Langton Green, like many organizations that help intellectually and developmentally disabled folks, have to work hard to maintain long-term staff. Now, with some staff having to stay home with their own families, Langton Green folks are having to be extra-heroic as they take care of folks in 30 residences throughout Anne Arundel County (approximately four individuals per residence.) Also the need in each house for basics like hand sanitizer, basic groceries, paper goods, etc. is the same as it is for all of us, except these most vulnerable individuals, of course, cannot seek out these things for themselves. Donations, including monetary donations are much-needed.

Please contact Joyce Cavey, Grants and Outreach at 410-428-7389 or JCavey@langtongreen.org if you are able to help in any way!