Some GSSCC Member Businesses Start to See Federal, State, County Relief Dollars
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Dollars from the various federal, state, and county COVID-19 disaster relief programs are beginning to flow to some GSSCC businesses, according to staff conversations and a survey sent to member business owners last week.
About 37% of initial respondents said that they have received notification of approval for a Paycheck Protection Program (PPP) loan and 10% have received the money.
Only about 17% of those who said they applied for a Small Business Administration (SBA) Economic Injury Disaster Loan (EIDL) said that they have received any money. 3% said they have r
eceived the $10 thousand grant and the remainder of the loan dollars requested; 14% said they have received only the grant. More than 40% said they have had no response.
The volume of applications overwhelmed Maryland's Small Business COVID-19 Relief Disaster Grant and Loan program, so most applicants have not heard back. Only 10% of respondents to GSSCC's survey said their applications have been approved; 3% have received the money.
Just 10% of respondents said they have been approved and are awaiting grant dollars from the Montgomery County's Public Health Emergency Grant program, which closed on Saturday.
If you have applied for assistance from one of these programs, but have not completed the survey, please do so
here.
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Governor Hogan Announces Plan for Recovery
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On Friday afternoon, Governor Larry Hogan announced "Maryland Strong: Roadmap to Recovery.”
Under the three-stage recovery plan, Hogan said he is "hopeful" that the state could begin reopening some businesses and gradually lifting coronavirus restrictions next month — but the reopening will only happen if the number of hospitalizations and deaths related to the virus continue on a downward trend.
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Through the Maryland Department of Commerce, Hogan has also created 13 industry-specific advisory groups to consider the economic, medical, and societal fac
tors surrounding reopening and develop recommendations and best practices for their own industries to responsibly operate. To read the plan, click
here
.
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Paycheck Protection Program Goes Live Today
The Small Business Administration (SBA) will begin accepting applications for loans under the Paycheck Protection Program (PPP) at 10:30 a.m. EDT today, Monday, April 27. Approved lenders will be able to submit applications on behalf of eligible borrowers.
If you have already applied for a PPP loan, and are still awaiting a response, check with your bank. Applications submitted previously are still "in the queue" and will be processed. If you have not applied, do so promptly because this additional funding is expected to go quickly.
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Trivia Tuesday with the Chamber
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Need a break from all things COVID-19 related? Want to test your knowledge of random trivia?
Then join the Chamber on Tuesday, April 28, at 5 p.m. for a Tuesday Trivia Night!
See new and familiar faces, relax with a drink, and show off your knowledge.
Log in credentials will be sent to registered attendees before 9 a.m. on the day of the event.
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Did You Miss Last Week's Webinars?
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Your Employees & COVID-19
Last Friday, Lerch Early Employment Attorneys
Marc Engel
and
Michael Neary
presented a webinar on how to navigate the various employment issues associated with the COVID-19 crisis. To listen to the webinar and get more information, click
here
.
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Social Isolation, Stress, and Uncertainty: Coping Strategies
Thanks to experts from
CCI Health & Wellness
,
Cornerstone Montgomery
, and
Oxford House
for leading a discussion on coping strategies in these challenging times. To hear the discussion, click
here
.
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Members Open for Business. . . .or Gift Card Purchase
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GSSCC has compiled a
list of businesses that are still open for business
- restaurants offering carry-out and delivery services, studios offering online exercise and fitness classes, hotels, retailers, and more. Now, more than ever, they need our support. Take advantage of their offerings, and pick up a gift card or two to share with a friend, or hold for a celebration when we are at the other end of these challenging times.
If your business is open and providing services but isn't on the list, please email Courtney at
cjenkins@gsscc.org
so she can add your information.
NOTE: This list is being regularly updated. Check back for changes.
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ATTENTION MEMBERS:
As the uncertainty surrounding the virus continues and many businesses remained shuttered or severely depleted, many businesses have started
GoFundMe
pages to support their employees. If your business has a
GoFundMe
page, please share it with the Chamber by emailing Julie at
jpawlikowski@gsscc.org.
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* The Street Guys Hospitality team, which manages
Buena Vida and
Tacos, Tortas, and Tequila, has started a GoFundMe initiative for all of its locations. Proceeds will be divided equally between the entire staff. Each donation will receive 30% back in a form of an e-gift card as a gesture from Ivan Iricanin, CEO of the Street Guys Hospitality Group. To help the Buena Vida Silver Spring location, read
here.
* The
National Institutes of Health Federal Credit Union (NIHFCU)
has launched
SendaMessageofHope.com, a website where anyone can post an inspiring message of gratitude to healthcare workers. As video or photo messages are posted, they are shared with hospitals, healthcare clinics and more. Additionally, NIHFCU will donate $1 per post on the site through end of April 2020 to the
Friends of Patients at the NIH.
* Interfaith Works has had an outpouring of support from its giving community, many of whom reached out to ask how they can help those living in poverty during this time of great need. In response, Interfaith Works has created a list of needed materials for its centers and programs that can be found
here.
* Brad Eisenberg of
BE Lean is coordinating contactless pickup and delivery of donations for
Shepherd's Table each Friday. Shepherd's Table provides meals to community members in need and has requested donations of individually wrapped baked goods and paper goods. Anyone who is interested in making a donation can reach Brad
here to coordinate a pick up.
*
Signarama has new, updated COVID-19 safety items for your business. See them
here.
* Denizens Brewing Company is launching ''Wish You Were Beer," a new online video series each Friday at 5 p.m. on Facebook Live that explores the craft beer world, talks about history, and shares pairing, recipes, and more. Read
here for more information.
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See your company's news here!
Send
us your news releases and news items by noon on Friday for publication in the following Monday's edition. Click
here
for guidelines on submitting Member News.
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Upcoming Committee/Network Meetings
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- Small Business Owners Network – Bi-Weekly Virtual Meeting - 12 noon on Thursday, April 30. Registration is required here.
- Young Professionals Network – Bi-Weekly Check-In - 4 p.m. on Thursday, April 30.
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OUR MISSION:
Working to enhance the economic prosperity of greater Silver Spring through robust promotion of our member businesses and unrelenting advocacy on their behalf.
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Thank you to our 2019-2020 GSSCC Partners
Corporate Partners
- Downtown Silver Spring; Lee Development Group; Montgomery College; Joseph W. McCartin Insurance;
Adventist HealthCare White Oak Medical Center
Business Partners
- Andalman & Flynn, AFI Silver Theatre; Apex Home Loans; Atlantech Online; Digital Industry; EagleBank; Eggspectation; Holy Cross Hospital; The Fillmore Silver Spring; Lerch, Early & Brewer Chtd.; Linowes and Blocher, LLP; Revere Bank; The Tower Companies (The Blairs); United Therapeutics Corporation; Washington Property Company.
Partners
- Adam Lowe Creative; Bell Flowers; EBA Ernest Bland Associates; HiTouch Business Services; Image360.
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Greater Silver Spring Chamber of Commerce
8601 Georgia Avenue Suite 203
301-565-3777
info@gsscc.org
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