Chamber Connections 
July 16, 2021
Howard County HoCo RISE Grants for Non-Profit Organizations NOW OPEN
Howard County non-profit organizations can apply for another round of HoCo RISE Grants starting July 15, 2021. This round of grants is targeted towards social services non-profits impacted by the COVID-19 pandemic, including health and human services, youth services, business assistance or workforce development. Howard County will expend more than $1 million in grants supported by the Maryland Department of Housing and Community Development.

The grants will be administered by the Howard County Economic Development Authority, and applications will be open July 15-30.
Coalition to Back Black Businesses
The coronavirus pandemic has brought unprecedented challenges for small businesses, and the Black community has been hit especially hard.

The Coalition to Back Black Businesses is a multi-year initiative to support Black small business owners and the communities they serve as they recover from the COVID-19 pandemic and chart a path forward. Small businesses are critical parts of communities – the strength of these businesses is essential to the recovery of their communities.

Through the Coalition, American Express, Altice USA, AIG Foundation, Cummins, Dow, Stanley Black and Decker, the National Black Chamber of Commerce, National Business League, U.S. Black Chambers, Inc., Walker’s Legacy, and the U.S. Chamber of Commerce Foundation, will work together over the next four years to provide over $13 million in grants, training, and resources to empower Black-owned small businesses in distressed communities that have long been struggling with economic growth.

From 2020 through 2023, they will distribute $5,000 grants to applicants each fall, followed by mentorship and training, and a select few will receive $25,000 enhancement grants the following spring.

The hope is that these grants can provide some assistance to the Black-owned business community to emerge from this crisis stronger than ever.
Don't Raise the Corporate Tax Rate!
Raising the corporate tax rate would hurt 1.4M small businesses, undo previous growth and threaten our economic recovery. Our nation needs economic recovery, not harmful tax increases that would hurt employers, workers and everyday Americans. 

Businesses can click here to use the U.S. Chamber's one-click advocacy tool to tell your Members of Congress to do the right thing for American businesses and not increase the corporate tax rate during this time of recovery. We encourage you to share with your networks and join the effort, too. #RecoveryNotTaxes
Support Central Maryland Chamber Members Participating:
Howard Bancorp agrees to sell to
Pittsburgh-based bank for $418M
F.N.B Corp., a Pittsburgh-based bank that has been on an acquisition spree, continues its march into Maryland with a $418 million all-stock deal to buy Baltimore's Howard Bancorp..

"Howard Bank has long committed to building our relevance to our stakeholders as well as our impact on our communities. F.N.B., in turn, has a long-standing reputation in Maryland as a premier financial institution that is similarly committed to building meaningful relationships with its clients and communities," said Scully in announcing the agreement Tuesday morning.

F.N.B. (NYSE: FNB) is the seventh-largest bank in Greater Baltimore with $1.86 billion in local deposits and 1.97% market share as of June 30, 2020. Howard Bank is the largest bank headquartered in Baltimore and the eighth-largest bank in the region with $1.73 billion in local deposits and 1.83% market share.
American Rescue Plan Act Survey
Anne Arundel County will receive more than $112 million in funds from the American Rescue Plan Act. 

The county is seeking public feedback on potential priorities that should be supported by these funds.

Please consider filling out the survey below.
Fostering IDEA's
Weekly Inclusion, Diversity, Equity & Awareness Conversations
Black Women Equal Pay Day Fast Fact Sheet
Altice USA recently launched a Digital Toolkit is to help Black entrepreneurship. Check out their website here to learn more and access the Digital Toolkit to find resources and expert advice to help promote your small business and grow your customer base.
Military Affairs Committee School Supply Drive
*Donate by August 20, 2021*
The Military Affairs Committee of the Central Maryland Chamber will be collecting school supplies to provide to the 4 Elementary Schools, 2 Middle Schools, and High School located on Fort Meade. All supplies need to be dropped off at the chamber conference room (8379 Piney Orchard Parkway, Odenton) by appointment only. Contact Kim to make arrangements at kim@centralmarylandchamber.org. We will make arrangements to deliver to the schools before they start for the 2021-22 Academic Year.
Membership 101
August 26 | Virtual 9:00 - 10:00 a.m.
UPDATE YOUR MEMBER PROFILE!

Please head to your current member profile and select 'Update Profile' to verify and update any information by August 20th! 
(If you have trouble accessing your account, email info@centralmarylandchamber.org.)
Member Benefit!
Member-Only LinkedIn Group Page
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CMC Business Presentations!
Watch all webinars for FREE here!
Member and Regional Business News
Read and Share the CMC Business Guide!
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Newsworthy articles are included for free
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Members may post job openings to the job bank for free

THANK YOU!
2021 Corporate Trustees
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