In honor of Independence day, the Chamber office will be closed Friday, July 3
|
|
|
|
County Enacts Local Business Preference Program
Effective August 1, Montgomery County businesses will have preference over other bidders on proposals submitted for County contracts, as a result of legislation enacted by Council last week. Expedited bill 25-19, which GSSCC supported when it was introduced last year, requires: a 10% price preference for a local business bidding on a contract; or an evaluation factor worth 10% of the total points for a local business submitting a proposal under County RFP. To qualify, the business must be physically located in the County, or its County-based location(s) must account for more than 50% of the businesses employees or 50% of its gross sales.
For a list of County procurement opportunities, go
here. To sign updates and new opportunities from the Procurement Department, go
here.
|
|
|
|
County Minimum Wage Will Increase July 1
Despite concerns expressed by GSSCC and other business groups, Montgomery County leaders are moving ahead with the schedule to increase the minimum wage on July 1. Given the current economic situation faced by businesses because of the pandemic, GSSCC and others had urged the County to delay the scheduled increase.
Effective July, the minimum wage will rise to $14 per hour for employers having 51 or more employees, $13.25 per hour for employers having between 50 and 11 employees, and $13 per hour for employers having 10 or fewer employees.
Click
here to see the news release from the County.
|
|
|
|
"Reopen Montgomery" Grants Coming Soon
As Montgomery County began moving into the various reopening phases, GSSCC recognized that getting back to business carries the additional cost of purchasing personal protection equipment and necessities to comply with the State and County’s reopening requirements. In the past few weeks, we reached out to County leaders to suggest an initiative similar to the recent telework grant program.
Last week, under the leadership of Councilmember Andrew Friedson, Council proposed a $14 million "
Reopen Montgomery
" grant program to help businesses with these kinds of costs. A public hearing on the proposal is scheduled for July 7, when Council returns from recess. GSSCC will be there testifying in support.
|
|
|
|
PPP Closes Today, EIDL is Open for Grant Dollars
The Paycheck Protection Program will cease accepting applications after today, but the Small Business Administration's Economic Injury Disaster Loan program - which provides an advance grant of $1,000 per employee is accepting applications. Applicants can get the grant, even if they choose not to accept the loan. For details on this and other COVID-19 related news, see Jane Redicker's July 26 "
Viral Update."
|
|
|
|
Join the Chamber for round two of a new and improved
Trivia Night!
- When you register, you’ll be asked to submit a question relevant to your industry. If your question is selected for the Chamber Chat category, you’ll get a shout-out during the game.
- We’ll be playing in teams, so encourage your colleagues to join you OR enjoy the chance to make connections with fellow Chamber members on your team!
- Compete for a chance to have your business recognized with a 30 second promotional video on the GSSCC Facebook page.
TOMORROW!
Tuesday, June 30
5 p.m. - 6 p.m.
|
|
|
|
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, July 8
9 a.m. to 10 a.m.
|
|
|
|
Register to attend, order your lunch from Eggspectation, and you'll receive information on how to get a free smoothie, coffee, or juice with your order.
Attendees will have three minutes to promote their businesses. And, there will be plenty of time to network with fellow members.
Tuesday, July 14
12 noon to 1 p.m.
|
|
|
|
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.
|
|
|
|
* Kudos to
Washington Property Company for its commitment to supporting the community as it commemorates its 15
th anniversary! Over the past few months, Washington Property Company has sent meals to the public servants in the Silver Spring Urban District, the Silver Spring and Wheaton Police Districts, and the Bethesda-Chevy Chase Rescue Squad. In addition, the company has provided financial support to the following organizations in support of their efforts during the COVID crisis: A Wider Circle, Fisher House, Fired Up To Help, and Children’s National.
* Montgomery County Commuter Services and MCDOT have created BikeMatchMoCo, a new, free service that enables people with extra or unused bicycles to connect with individuals looking to use bicycles for commuting or other needs. Read
here for more information and use this
link to complete the registration form.
*
Patient First now offers COVID-19 antibody testing at all of its 76 locations on a walk-in basis, from 8 a.m. to 10 p.m., every day of the week. Appointments are not needed for antibody testing. Read the news release
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.
|
|
|
|
Does Your Business Need PPE?
As businesses are preparing to 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.
|
|
|
|
Upcoming Committee/Network Meetings
|
|
- Small Business Owners Network – Bi-Weekly Virtual Check-in Meeting - 12 noon on Thursday, July 9. Registration is required here.
- Non-Profit Team Virtual Meeting - 9 a.m. on Tuesday, July 14.
|
|
|
|
|
|
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.
|
|
|
|
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.
|
|
|
|
Greater Silver Spring Chamber of Commerce
8601 Georgia Avenue Suite 203
301-565-3777
info@gsscc.org
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
