$13 Million in Reopen Montgomery Grants Still Available
As of last week, Montgomery County had approved 300 applications for the “Reopen Montgomery Small Business Grant Program,” and paid out just under $1 million of the money authorized for the program. That means approximately $13 million remains available for the awards that are up to $5,000 per business.
Businesses and nonprofit organizations may be eligible for grants for expenditures they have incurred related to health and safety requirements from the State and County for reopening their business between March 16, 2020, and 30 days following the date when the County declares it is moving to Phase 3 of reopening. The County is still operating under Phase 2 reopening guidelines.
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County Offers Free COVID-19 Testing in Silver Spring
Montgomery County continues to provide free walk-in and drive-thru COVID-19 testing at multiple sites this week. Testing will be available at the Silver Spring Civic Building today, Monday, September 14, and Thursday, September 17. Testing is free; no doctor’s order is required. Online appointments are encouraged but walk-ups are available. To make an appointment of find other testing locations, go to the testing website.
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County Regulations Still Have Your Business Closed?
GSSCC continues to ask county officials to provide guidelines under which more businesses can safely open. As a result, the County now has a process for reviewing requests from various businesses or industries that have not yet opened because of county restrictions. Businesses seeking to open may seek a letter of approval to operate. Click here for more details. Businesses must use the form linked here. Businesses should also be prepared to submit a plan that demonstrates procedures it would put in place to safely open. The county web page includes a link to a sample safe reopening plan.
If your business seeks approval to open or expand operations using this procedure, please let GSSCC President Jane Redicker know about your experience with the process.
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Share Your "MaskUp" Posts and Photos
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As Montgomery County continues its effort to educate residents and visitors about its mask requirements, GSSCC will join the social media outreach efforts.
Submit photos of you and, or your staff members wearing masks to Julie Pawlikowski and we'll share them on social media. Or, tag #GSSCC from your social media and we'll share your posts. Let's flood the internet with GSSCC businesses "spreading the love, not germs" in #MaskUpMoCo.
To download a printable copy of the flyer, go here.
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THANK YOU TO OUR GOLF SPONSORS!
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Gold Sponsors
Silver Sponsor
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Scorecard Sponsor
Beverage Cart Sponsor
Beverage Station Sponsor
Snack Shack Sponsor
Putting Contest Sponsor
Longest Drive Sponsor
Driving Range Sponsor
Hole-in-One to Win a Car
Contest Sponsor
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Not a Golfer? But Want to Connect with Participants?
GSSCC is seeking a limited number of volunteers to help make this event a success. Join us at registration; help run contests on the course; be a "judge" for our Hole-in-One for a Car contest -- all organized with safety and social distancing in mind. Volunteers will have the unique opportunity to make connections with golfers from some of the Chamber's largest company members that always support this event. Contact Julie Pawlikowski for details.
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The GSSCC cordially invites Chamber members to join us for GSSCC 101: Virtual Member Orientation. This virtual event is for new members or new representatives of member companies with a maximum of two per business.
This is the perfect event to learn how to make the most of your membership investment, connect with your fellow Chamber members, and meet the GSSCC staff, board members, and ambassadors.
Wednesday, September 30
9 a.m. to 10 a.m.
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MoCo Procurement Seeks Input for Reverse Trade Event
If you’ve ever wondered about opportunities to do business with Montgomery County government, keep reading. The county’s Office of Procurement is making plans for a virtual reverse trade show for business owners to connect with the individuals who make purchasing decisions for various county government departments.
The in-person version of this event had been scheduled for April 3, 2020, but had to be cancelled due to the COVID-19 pandemic. At the urging of GSSCC and two other local chambers, County Procurement Director Ash Shetty has agreed to move forward with plans to take the event virtual. To assure that the virtual event provides meaningful engagement, we are seeking input from interested businesses. Please respond to the survey linked here by next Monday, September 21. If you have any questions, please contact jredicker@gsscc.org.
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Uncertain Times? Take Control of Your Energy Costs
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COVID19, the upcoming Presidential election, economic forecasts, and erratic weather conditions all point to a volatile energy market. There’s no better time to consider enrolling in GSSCC’s Energy Purchasing Cooperative. The strategic partnership between GSSCC and CQI Associates means lower energy costs and long-term budget stability. How? By leveraging the aggregated energy usage of members of 23 chambers of commerce, CQI has the purchasing power to negotiate rates much lower than an individual company could attain on its own. Participants who signed onto the co-op realized a combined annual savings of $889,600, which equates to an average of $4,000 per company annually.
Applications will be accepted up to September 25. Here’s a link to the application.
Want to learn more? CQI Associates will host information webinars on the following dates:
For more information, call Joe Tabeling at 443-472-3870.
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* Congratulations to Lerch, Early & Brewer on new hire Judge Robert A. Gordon as a principal leading the firm’s new Bankruptcy and Financial Restructuring practice. Read here for more information.
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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Membership Development Committee Virtual Meeting - 9 a.m. on Tuesday, September 22.
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Economic Development Committee Virtual Meeting - 9 a.m. on Wednesday, September 23.
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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; 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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