10% Discount for Chamber Members and their Families. Please contact Chris Motz at wmotz@purdueglobal.edu
Greetings,

What a challenging two months it’s been for everyone – personally and professionally. I know many of you have been working hard to adhere to the Governor’s guidelines. Working from home, homeschooling children, traveling only when necessary, practicing social distancing, and missing your family and friends. This has indeed been difficult on everyone.

As you know, your Team Chamber has been hard at work on your behalf. Initially, we were assisting you as you looked for financial resources, including helping you navigate the application process. This included sharing webinars that helped to explain the various economic relief programs at the state and federal level. Then, as people sought to apply for unemployment, we assisted where we could to help you and your employees navigate this application process. For some, this continues and we hope you get the resources you are seeking.

About three weeks ago your chamber, along with a number of community partners in the private, public, and non-profit sectors began working on a safe and responsible plan to reopen our businesses. This plan, now a toolkit, will be ready to share with you in the next day or two. The goal of the plan and toolkit is to balance the health and well-being of our citizens AND allow our businesses to reopen in a systematic and safe manner.

Earlier this week, Governor Hogan announced Stage 1 of his reopening plan that begins today at 5pm. The County has worked with business stakeholders, including your chamber, to develop a Back-to-Business Toolkit. This document will serve as a guide for businesses to use as we begin the reopening process in the near future and can be found here: https://www.washco-md.net/wp-co…/uploads/TWR_Biz-Toolkit.pdf . However, now is the time for businesses to prepare for how to do business in what will be the “new normal.”

Here's a simplified checklist that Washington County business partners have compiled to assist businesses in this preparation process:
“Ten Things Businesses Should Be Doing Now To Be Prepared To Reopen” – CLICK HERE
 
To see the Governor’s Roadmap to Recovery Plan and details to Phase 1 – CLICK HERE
 
It will be important that we all work together to be safe and responsible as we work to reopen our businesses.

As always, please contact us if we can be of any assistance to you.

Sincerely,

Paul 
Since the beginning of this pandemic, Your Chamber has pledged to keep not just our membership, but the community current on what matters to them most. Health, Maryland business resources, Washington County updates and resources, Restaurants still offering carry-out and delivery, job avail-abilities, and more. Information is coming in, and changing, quite literally around the clock and we felt it was best to establish a go-to source, www.hagerstown.org/strongtogether. Please click the links below to explore our different break-out pages, and please let us know if you have ANY questions about anything. Additionally, if you have information you would like to contribute, please email Director of Member Services Tim Luipersbeck at tim@hagerstown.org to be added to our website in this important capacity!
NEW MEMBERS
Give a warm welcome to our April additions!
Community Mediation Maryland: Mediation First, Inc.
82 W. Washington Ste. 309
Hagerstown, MD
240.200.0983


Unifirst Corporation
325-3 Lenoir Dr.
Winchester, VA
410.458.4402
THE IMPACT OF COVID-19 ON CHAMBER EVENTS:
In an effort to mitigate the spread of COVID-19 Coronavirus, we're still cooperating with Governor Hogan's Executive Orders to enter into phase one of re-opening non-essential businesses and organizations, we here at the Chamber have made the decision to continue postponing all future in-person events. We're continuing to delve into online webinars and hope that you'll join us when your unpredictable schedules permit.

Our offices remain closed. However, operations will remain in nearly-full swing from Monday - Friday, 9:00am - 5:00pm. All Chamber employees will be working remotely from home and will remain accessible via email. Voicemails will be checked periodically. Please visit  www.hagerstown.org/our-team  for a list of staff members and their email addresses and phone numbers.

Since our office will remain closed until we're told we're able to re-open, Certificates of Origin will be processed on an appointment-basis only. Additionally, all committee meetings will either be cancelled or arranged for teleconferencing.

To provide our members with the most up-to-date information on COVID-19 coronavirus and the ways in which small businesses, nonprofits, and like organizations can benefit through Maryland state and federal programs, please visit our homepage, or our custom response page  www.hagerstown.org/strongtogether .

We look forward to seeing you in-person soon and want to assure you that we're actively planning for gradual, safe re-opening steps.
CHAMBER VIRTUAL EVENTS
Tuesday, May 19th, 9:00 - 9:45am
FREE Glenn Shepard Webinar: "How to Manage Problem Employees & Handle Difficult People"
Join nationally-renowned speaker Glenn Shepard for this webinar, free for Chamber members! Learn to effectively set and enforce healthy boundaries between yourself and problem employees and difficult people. It's not about disciplining people, it's about being clear! Grasp the wisdom of mastery-level skills and create relationships with employees that transcends a hierarchy. Don't miss it!
Wednesday, May 20th, 9:00 - 10:00am
One More Customer with Eddie Peters
Join Eddie Peters for his popular monthly event, held webinar-style, via Zoom. This event features a previously-recorded webcast from NFL Hall of Famer Fran Tarkenton, "One More Customer". This month's topic will address "How Your Business Can Survive COVID-19"!
Wednesday, May 20th, 2:00 - 3:00PM
Navigating Uncharted Waters During a Period of Hyper-Change Impact of Financial Health and Continuity
This free webinar features critical guidance for nonprofits! We are all faced with the current challenge of responding to "hyper change". This webinar featuring A. Michael Gellman, CPA, CGM, and founding principal/shareholder of Fiscal Strategies 4 Nonprofits, LLC and Sustainability Education 4 Nonprofits - SE4N, will provide fiscal and financial strategies and guidance for nonprofit leadres and their organizations during this time of uncertainty.
Thursday, May 21st, 4:00 - 5:00PM
Virtual B.A.S.H. (Business and Social Hour)
Join your Chamber staff and fellow members for this hour of virtual networking! NO frills, just some music, fun conversation via our chat room and an opportunity to connect with one another. Bring your questions! Bring something you're offering/promoting to the table. We're also giving away three $50 gift cards
Friday, May 22nd, 9:00 - 10:00am
Virtual Leadershift Roundtable with Morgan Plummer
Join us virtually for the next edition of a virtual Leadershift with John Maxwell coach Morgan Plummer! Our popular event will be hosted by Morgan and it's full of critical inspiration and strategies about leading through crisis! This event is for Chamber Members only! Learn the three essentials for leading through disruptions! Create a culture that retains your top performers and leaders! Learn how to foster breakthroughs for exponential growth!
MEMBER NEWS
Browse through just some of our members who've announced changes within their organization and even some able to help you during this critical time.
WASHINGTON COUNTY COVID-19 EMERGENCY ASSISTANCE FUND UPDATE
Together, the Community Foundation and United Way of Washington County, MD are proud to provide nearly $250,000 in grants to Washington County nonprofit agencies who are serving our community through this incredible time of need.

The Emergency Assistance Fund will be used to strengthen our community's ability to respond to the effects of COVID-19. These funds will support nonprofits who directly help those adversely affected by the COVID-19 crisis. Programmatic impacts may include, but are not limited to, emergency shelter, financial stability programs, transportation needs, prescriptions and medical supplies, food and food supplies for seniors, and suicide prevention and other mental health services.

CONGRATULATIONS TO THE THIRD CYCLE GRANT RECIPIENTS! Brooke Lane, Boys & Girls Club, Doleman Black Heritage Museum, Girls Inc., OnTrack Washington County, Washington County Commission on Aging!

WAYS TO GIVE:
Text COVIDWASHCO to 313131
Call 301-739-8200
Mail a check to: 83 W. Washington St., Suite 101, Hagerstown, MD 21740
STAPLES HAGERSTOWN HERE TO HELP WITH RE-OPENING AND CELEBRATING SENIORS
Staples is here and ready to help our local businesses and municipalities get back to business safely and quickly. Their print and marketing services can help you get back to business quickly with products like safety posters, banners, yard signs, direct mail, and more. They also have free services available to help. Call or see any associate for details.

They would love to work with you on a plan to get things up and running successfully. They also specialize in great deals for signage to celebrate your senior! For more information and on particular discounts available, contact Mark Dunn, General Manager of Staples Hagerstown at 1631 Wesel Blvd.
HCC RECOGNIZES G.E.D. AND N.E.D.P. GRADUATE
Hagerstown Community College would like to recognize the following graduates from the Adult Education Program. Due to the coronavirus pandemic, several additional students have been unable to complete the required exams at this time. Below are the names of those who have successfully completed the exams as of May 10, 2020.
GED (General Educational Development) Graduates
 
From Hagerstown:
Karissa Baker
Keenan Brown
Merri Franklin
Cindy Gonzalez
Ashley Mitchell
Alexander Noon
Sylvia Owuor
Ron Richards
Timothea Searls
Jordan Wiles
Cassandra Wilt

From Crofton:
Nicole Tyson
  
NEDP (National External Diploma Program) Graduates
From Hagerstown:
Yessena Duckworth
Stephanie Manley

The GED and NEDP graduates are eligible to receive up to $500 in HCC Foundation scholarship awards, to continue their education at HCC.
HCC’s Adult Literacy Services classes are made possible through funding from the Maryland Department of Labor and HCC. 

CITY OF HAGERSTOWN PARK FACILITIES TO RE-OPEN THIS WEEKEND
In response to Governor’s Hogan’s recent Order allowing a Stage One reopening of certain facilities, beginning Friday, May 15 at 5:00 PM, the City of Hagerstown is re-opening the following park amenities: all playgrounds, the Fairgrounds Park dog park, and restroom facilities at only City Park, Fairgrounds Park and Wheaton Park. 

The City of Hagerstown will re-open the dog park and playground equipment this weekend with the following stipulations:

·        Signage will be placed at the playgrounds and dog park asking patrons to social distance. We strongly suggest patrons wear masks. 
·        We ask that patrons of our facilities bring and use personal hand sanitizer, continue good hygiene and continue to follow CDC guidelines on COVID -19. Hand washing is available in the open restrooms only. 
·        Please do not gather in groups larger than ten (10). 
·        Non-contact outdoor recreational activities such as walking, cycling, golfing, etc. are allowed provided social distancing is practiced and groups remain under 10 people.  
The City of Hagerstown believes that through these efforts, in compliance with the Health Department’s suggestions, we can keep these recreational areas as safe as possible. If this reopening proves to be detrimental to maintaining public safety and health, the City will reevaluate opening these facilities. 

The Potterfield Pool will not open in May due to the pandemic restrictions.  Opening the pool will occur when the State permits public pool openings and provides general guidance. Also, City staff and our pool management company need time to have the facility ready to comply with these yet to be determined guidelines. 

The City of Hagerstown Parks & Recreation Division’s goal is to provide high quality recreation and leisure opportunities in safe, modern, and well-maintained parks and facilities to enhance the quality of life for all who live, work, and visit our City.

For more information about our parks and facilities, please call 301-739-8577, x 169 or email parks&rec@hagerstownmd.org
HEARTY PET PRODUCING PET-CENTRIC PODCAST
Get ready for something PAWESOME! 🐾  Hearty Pet Retail is super excited to announce that they're starting a pet-centric podcast... that's right, they're bringing all the pet-related goodness you can handle right to your home, minus the shedding and claw marks. Following all the current social distancing guidelines, they'll be conducting their first chats using Zoom. Expect to see some great tips from their groomers, trainer and retail gals, nutrition tips from their manufacturer partners, and updates from great local businesses right here in our own community! And hey... if you think you'd be a great fit for their program, shoot Ryan Thomas a message! Email ryant@heartypet.com
SIGN UP FOR DAILY WASHINGTON COUNTY
JOINT INFORMATION CENTER (JIC) UPDATES
Washington County, Maryland has invited many partners to form a Joint Information Center (JIC) created to address COVID-19 Coronavirus.

Here at the Washington County Chamber of Commerce, we're proud to be involved in these daily meetings and contributing to the County's daily press releases. We're in good company: Meritus Health, Washington County Public Schools, Hagerstown Community College, The City of Hagerstown, Washington County Sheriff's Department, Washington County Health Department. All of these agencies combine information on a daily basis to form one uniform email per day.

We want YOU to be a part of this mailing list, but you need to sign up to receive these messages and encourage you to pass along the word to the rest of our community, should they be interested in receiving these alerts in their Inbox.

Do you have something to share with fellow Chamber members? Simply email Director of Member Services Tim Luipersbeck at tim@hagerstown.org to get started on this free opportunity.
WASHINGTON COUNTY CHAMBER OF COMMERCE | hagerstown.org
Washington County Chamber of Commerce members include more than 650 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.