THECROFTONCHAMBER CHRONICLES November 17, 2020

Good morning, This last week there have been some changes in our State and in our County in regards to COVID restrictions for our business community. With positive cases on the rise, limitations on capacities have been implemented. Please see the image below for a summary of the limitations and restrictions. Were you unable to join us for the Virtual Lunch N' Learn - Protecting Your Small Business Against Employment Claims in the Era of COVID-19? Well great news, you can watch the presentation by clicking here. What are you thankful for this holiday season? At the Greater Crofton Chamber of Commerce, we are thankful to all of you for the continued support of the Chamber and all of our local businesses. Don't feel like cooking for the holidays? Well, consider utilizing one of our local restaurants as many of them are offering family meal packages. This is a great way to support our local restaurant industry. As we prepare our 2021 calendar, we want to ensure the safety of all of our members and patrons. We are planning to combine both virtual and live opportunities next year. In addition, we are very much looking forward to bringing back our three Festivals. With that, be on the lookout for registration to open up for the 2021 events. Many folks rolled their registration from 2020, so our spaces will be more limited. Please don't delay on registering. If you have any questions, please email us at info@croftonchamber.com. You are also welcomed to reach out to me on my cell phone at 410-897-2069. Warm regards, Alissa J Santoro CEO Greater Crofton Chamber of Commerce "Building Your Business on Connections"

$20 Million Available for Small Businesses Through the Expanded COVID-19 Layoff Aversion Fund Businesses Can Apply for Up to $50,000 in Flexible and Customizable Funding Beginning Today Will Receive Approval or Denial Within 5 Business Days of Applying Initial Funds Already Helped 445 Small Businesses Remain Open and Saved Nearly 9,000 Jobs BALTIMORE, MD (October 28, 2020) - The Maryland Department of Labor (Labor) today announced that an additional $20 million in funding is available for Maryland’s small businesses through an expansion of the successful COVID-19 Layoff Aversion Fund. Businesses undergoing financial stresses due to the pandemic can apply for up to $50,000 in flexible and customizable funding to maintain their workforce beginning today on Wednesday, October 28.  “Initially introduced in March, the COVID-19 Layoff Aversion Fund has already helped 445 small businesses with an average of 20 employees stay open and saved nearly 9,000 Maryland jobs,” said Governor Larry Hogan. “Through our Economic Recovery Initiative, we have allocated an additional $20 million to expand the COVID-19 Layoff Aversion Fund and to provide further financial support to our state’s small businesses as they continue to adapt to and overcome the challenges presented by the pandemic.” The governor’s initiative expands total funding to $30 million for the state’s COVID-19 Layoff Aversion Fund. Since announced by the Governor last Thursday, Labor has already reached out to all 130 small businesses who submitted an application prior to the program closing, but did not receive funding because the initial $10 million was exhausted. Seven of these priority applicants have been approved and 20 are under review.  “Labor’s COVID-19 Layoff Aversion Fund has already provided critical funding to small businesses representing nearly 20 diverse industry sectors, ranging from health care to retail, that are located in all 24 jurisdictions in Maryland,” said Labor Secretary Tiffany Robinson. “By expanding the program, Governor Hogan is giving our team the opportunity to help hundreds of additional businesses stay afloat, forego layoffs of thousands of employees, and remain open for business.” The COVID-19 Layoff Aversion Fund is designed to support businesses undergoing economic stresses due to the pandemic by preventing or minimizing the duration of unemployment resulting from layoffs. The award of up to $50,000 per applicant will be a quick deployable benefit that is customizable to the specific needs of the business to minimize the need for layoffs. Applications will be accepted through 30 days after the State of Emergency ends or until funding has been fully exhausted. Businesses will receive approval or denial within 5 days of applying for the funding.  Award recipients have used the average award size of $22,738 per business for such things as purchasing remote access equipment and software to promote teleworking, assisting with employee training and education, purchasing cleaning supplies and services to maintain an onsite workforce, and taking advantage of the Maryland Department of Labor’s Work Sharing Unemployment Insurance Program by supplementing employee income. To download the policy, application, and learn more about the eligibility requirements of the COVID-19 Layoff Aversion Fund, please visit our website. If you have any questions, please email laborcovid19.layoffaversion2@maryland.gov.

A MESSAGE FROM AAEDC

Join Us For Our Upcoming Events: Chamber 202 - How To Maximize Your Chamber Membership Thursday, November 19th, 2020 | 2:00p-3:30p Your Home/Office Click Here To Register Lunch N' Learn - Diversity, Equity and Inclusion Are More Relevant In The Workplace Than Ever Wednesday, December 2nd, 2020 | 11:30a-1:00p Free for members | $10/non-member Your Home/Office Click Here To Register Community Shred Event Saturday, December 5th, 2020 | 10:00a-1:00p 2115 Priest Bridge Dr., Crofton, MD 21114 Click Here For More Info Community Blood Drive Saturday, December 15th, 2020 | 8:00a-1:00p 2126 Espey Ct., Crofton, MD 21114 Click Here To Sign Up Crofton Winter Farmers Market Chamber Social Hour sponsored by: Minuteman Press of Crofton Saturday, December 19th, 2020 | 11:00a-12:00p for Social Hour Free for members | $10/non-member Market runs from 10:00a-2:00p St. Elizabeth Ann Seton Church | 1800 Seton Dr., Crofton, MD 21114 Click Here To Register Crofton Winter Farmers Market Chamber Social Hour sponsored by: Minuteman Press of Crofton Saturday, March 20th, 2021 | 11:00a-12:00p for Social Hour Free for members | $10/non-member Market runs from 10:00a-2:00p St. Elizabeth Ann Seton Church | 1800 Seton Dr., Crofton, MD 21114 Click Here To Register Crofton Winter Farmers Market Chamber Social Hour sponsored by: Minuteman Press of Crofton Saturday, April 3rd, 2021 | 11:00a-12:00p for Social Hour Free for members | $10/non-member Market runs from 10:00a-2:00p St. Elizabeth Ann Seton Church | 1800 Seton Dr., Crofton, MD 21114 Click Here To Register

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Frost, Suzanne Crowne Plaza Annapolis | (410) 266-3131 Owner plus 1-5 Employees sfrost@crowneannapolis.com Type of Business: Hotel Lapriola, Mike US Health Advisors | 410-707-7892   One Owner - No Employees michael.lapriola@ushadvisors.com  Type of Business: Health Insurance RENEWING MEMBERS: Keller Williams Flagship-Crofton Wendy Hess | 410-729-7700 Wendy@WendyHess.com http://www.kwflagship.com Arbor Terrace Waugh Chapel Beth Davies | 410-941-3119 elizabeth.davies@arborcompany.com www.arborwaughchapel.com Arbor Terrace Waugh Chapel Vanessa Chambers |410-941-3119 vchambers@arborcompany.com arborterracewaughchapel.com Rutabaga Juicery & Eats Stacey Fink | 410-970-2437 rutabagajuicery@outlook.com www.rutabagajuicery.com On The Green Inc. Rick Connolly| 410-829-9016 rick@onthegreeninc.com www.OnTheGreenInc.com

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