Website is Live for Reopen Montgomery Grant
The application is not yet available, but the website that describes the qualifications for and details about the “Reopen Montgomery” grant program for small businesses went online last week.
Here’s the link.
The grant program is designed to help reimburse County businesses and non-profit organizations some of the costs to comply with state and county COVID-19 health regulations connected to reopening. Eligibility mirrors the County’s Public Health Emergency Grant program. Grants of up to $5,000 per applicant will be awarded through a rolling lottery for reopening expenses incurred between March 16, 2020 and 30 days after the County’s Phase 3 reopening. Receipts must accompany each application.
Among allowable expenses are:
- Personal Protective Equipment
- Materials to create barriers, dividers, protected areas
- Contactless payment systems
- Cleaning supplies
- Signage
- Outdoor furniture
- Disposable food containers and utensils
- Upgrades to HVAC systems
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MoCo Face Covering (Mask) Order Clarified
During a meeting last week of the Montgomery County Economic Recovery Task Force Small Business Workgroup, on which GSSCC President Jane Redicker serves, the County's mask-wearing order prompted several questions. The
County 's reopening requirements for businesses make it clear that employees must wear masks. Businesses that do not comply risk a penalty.
However, confusion and disagreement exist about who else is required a mask. In response, officials on the call emphasized that th
e County’s Health Officer Directive and Order, linked
here
, states, “
All County residents over the age of two shall wear face coverings whenever they are in public and social distancing is not possible.”
Redicker pointed out that the County's enforcement, to date, has focused only on businesses, not residents. She strongly recommended that the County undertake an effort to educate the general public that mask wearing is everyone's responsibility and send this message in a positive way via its various communication vehicles, including bus banners, regular newsletters from the Regional Service Centers and other County officials, and other channels.
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Like the flexibility and safety of virtually networking? Miss enjoying a drink and bite of food at a member restaurant during networking events? Then join the Chamber for a
Virtual Business After Hours on Wednesday, July 29!
The Eleanor has whipped up a
Happy Hour To Go kit featuring delectable hush puppies and a refreshing frozen margarita to be picked up and enjoyed at your home or office while you virtually networking with fellow Chamber peers.
Want your kit for
free? The first 20 members to register by end of business on Friday, July 24, will receive their Happy Hour To Go kit compliments of event sponsor,
NIH Federal Credit Union!
Wednesday, July 29
5 p.m. to 6 p.m.
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Join the
Young Professionals Network for a virtual morning fitness class with
Planet Fitness! Support your work capacity by supporting your body and mental health, whether you’re at home or at the office, with an easy fitness class, no equipment or experience required.
The format will be a high intensity workout with low impact modifications for those with joint problems. There will be some Dynamic stretching for warm up and static stretching cool down with 15 sec rest between each exercise.
THIS WEEK!
Thursday, July 23
8:30 a.m. to 9:30 a.m.
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SAVE THE DATE: Joint Speed Networking with TGBCC
The Annual Joint Speed Networking with the Greater Bethesda Chamber of Commerce is back! Held virtually on Wednesday, August 19, from 4 p.m. to 5:30 p.m., this event is the perfect way to expand your network and create new contacts with neighboring Chamber members. Watch this space for more details and don't forget to mark your calendars!
Wednesday, August 19
4 p.m. to 5:30 p.m.
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Members Supporting Members - Webinar Opportunity
Do you have expertise on a subject that may benefit your fellow members?
Webinar sponsorship opportunities are available for member businesses wanting to share their knowledge and experience to support fellow members.
Sponsor a webinar for just $100 and see your company name and logo on all event promotions, including the Chamber website, the
GSSCC Weekly Update, and social media. The event page on our website will include a link to your site, and you'll get a list of all webinar attendees after the event. Contact Julie at
jpawlikowski@gsscc.org for more information.
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*
Beyond Definition was acknowledged by Association Media & Publishing at the 40th Annual EXCEL Awards, which recognizes excellence and leadership in association media, publishing, marketing, and communications. Beyond Definition took home five awards. Congratulations! Read more
here.
* Happy Birthday to
Humanity & Inclusion which turned 38 yesterday, Sunday, July 19! Read more
here.
* Join
CQI Associates for a virtual discussion on Best Practices to Reduce Energy Consumption to learn the most up-to-date information to help lower energy costs while protecting facilities and assets. Register for Thursday, July 23, at 11 a.m.
here or register for Thursday, July 30, at 10 a.m.
here. Zoom login details will be sent the morning of the event.
* Joseph Barone, the CEO/Corporate Learning Consultant of
A Fool for Learning, LLC, will participate in a podcast with Dave Thompson of the Academy of Cleaning Services on Wednesday, July 22, at 10 a.m. The podcast, "Safety and Health in Cleaning Churches," will focus on cleaning houses of worship during a pandemic and ensuring that those handling the cleaning are properly trained. Listen to the podcast
here.
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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Does Your Business Need PPE?
As businesses re-open and employers are tasked with providing PPE for their returning employees, GSSCC has launched a “
Back to Business Products” page on our website for members looking to purchase PPE products, signage, and more. If your business is selling PPEs and you would like to be on this page, please complete this
form and send it to Julie at
jpawlikowski@gsscc.org.
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Upcoming Committee/Network Meetings
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- Economic Development Committee Virtual Meeting - 9 a.m. on Wednesday, July 22.
- Small Business Owners Network Bi-Weekly Virtual Meeting - 12 noon on Thursday, July 23.
- Membership Development Committee Virtual Meeting - 9 a.m. on Tuesday, July 28.
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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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