Chamber Connections
June 12, 2020
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Small Business Seminar
PPP Update with SBA
Wednesday, June 17 | 10:00 - 11:00 a.m.
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Join us to get an update on Payroll Protection Program (PPP) and ask questions related to Small Business Administration (SBA) funding options during our webinar with Mike Collins, Lender Relations Specialist & District International Trade Officer, SBA.
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In this environment, with things changing by the day, we want to make sure the information is relevant and timely so further material details will be updated closer to event date.
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Membership 101
VIRTUALLY!
Thursday, June 18 | 9:00 - 10:00 a.m.
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Member Spotlight
Embroidereez And More!
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I've been a promotional products distributor in Columbia, Maryland for over 13 years now. This means I have access to over one million products and work with thousand of suppliers, which enables me to produce smaller quantities with faster turnaround times. In addition, having my own machinery also allows me to imprint samples of items that a potential customer may be interested in. My customers also receive impeccable service, and are informed by phone or e-mail of the status of their order from Purchase Order to Final Delivery.
Contact Sharon Stewart, Owner
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Howard County Business Relief Grant
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The purpose of this grant is to provide financial assistance to Howard County businesses in targeted sectors that have been most impacted by the COVID-19 public health emergency and plan to re-open. Because of the limited funding available, eligible sectors have been identified and the grant formula is intended to distribute funds to all qualified businesses in that cohort. These grants are for locally-owned storefront retail, restaurants, and farmers that have experienced significant financial loss caused directly or indirectly by the COVID-19 public health emergency.
Three (3) grant opportunities:
- Farm Grants – Qualifying full or part-time farmers.
- Storefront Retail Business Grants – Locally-owned, small retail, and select service merchants in commercial space that were forced to close in accordance with Governor Hogan’s Executive Orders closing non-essential businesses in response to the COVID-19 public health emergency.
- Restaurant Re-Opening Grants – Locally-owned restaurants in commercial space to assist with required PPE and other accommodations needed to begin outdoor or indoor service or accommodate more robust take-out and/or delivery services.
The deadline to submit an application and required documentation is 11:59 p.m. on June 17, 2020.
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Join the Chamber Energy Purchasing Cooperative
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Commercial Energy CO-OP
The Central Maryland Chamber of Commerce has partnered with CQI Associates to establish a Commercial Energy Purchasing Cooperative for its members. The Central Maryland Chamber - CQI Energy Cooperative will help members realize long-term budget stability.
Benefits of the Central Maryland Chamber Commercial Energy Cooperative:
- Increased Purchasing Power in procuring electric and natural gas at competitive rates to businesses
- Eliminates the need to ‘go through it alone’
- Historically, the average co-op member saves about the equivalent of their July electrical bill and/or their February natural gas bill. When compared to utility S.O.S. rates
- Budget Stability (no more ‘roller coaster costs’) by offering Fixed Rate energy supply costs
- Assistance in being Proactive in fulfilling energy buying needs
- We offer the opportunity for businesses to share in the valuable energy Expertise that the cooperative provides
This program offers FREE informational seminars and webinars about energy deregulation and valuable insight into energy procurement options. CQI manages the member education and bid phases of the program, oversees the transition of the members’ energy accounts, and offers continuing technical expertise to members throughout the term of the energy contracts.
Learn how your business can benefit from joining the Central Maryland Chamber - CQI Commercial Energy Purchasing Cooperative by visiting
www.cqiassociates.com or calling 443-472-3870 for more information.
Residential Energy CO-OP
In addition to commercial energy procurement, CQI Associates is also a leader in Chamber Residential Energy Purchasing Cooperatives. CQI offers competitive fixed supply rates to the chamber residential energy cooperative members. To learn more or to sign up, go to
www.cqiassociates.com/residential. When signing up, please designate the Central Maryland Chamber of Commerce.
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County Executive Pittman Announces Additional Stage Two Reopening Actions
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County Executive Pittman announced that Anne Arundel County will implement additional Stage 2 reopenings on Friday, June 12 at 5:00 p.m., in line with Governor Larry Hogan’s latest
executive order. At that time, county restaurants may begin offering limited indoor seating up to 50% capacity with strict safety precautions in place. Outdoor amusements and rides, including miniature golf and go-kart tracks, may also resume under
state guidance.
To address concerns that state reopening actions are happening too quickly, County Executive Pittman and county Health Officer Dr. Nilesh Kalyanaraman announced that Anne Arundel County will put an additional layer of precautions onto some of the reopening actions. This includes a requirement for face coverings for employees and customers in retail businesses and inside restaurants.
Anne Arundel County intends to follow state reopenings for indoor fitness facilities, casinos, arcades and malls on June 19, consistent with Governor Hogan’s order. Also on that date, the county will reopen restrooms and playgrounds in county parks.
The Anne Arundel County Department of Health maintains a
reopening dashboard to track public health measures that influence policy decisions. Other resources and information is available on the county’s
road to recovery webpage.
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Howard County Following State Reopening Guidance, Rec & Parks Opening Playgrounds, RTA Operations
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Howard County will continue to align with Governor Hogan’s reopening plan. The Governor announced the following reopenings effective Friday, June 12th at 5:00 p.m.:
- Indoor dining at 50% capacity, with distancing and following strict public health requirements
- Outdoor amusements and attractions, miniature golf and go-karts
- Outdoor pools capacity increasing to 50%
Beginning next Friday, June 19th at 5 p.m.:
- Gyms, indoor fitness centers, dance studios, martial arts at 50% with distancing and following strict public health requirements
- Casinos, arcades, and malls
“Howard County continues to see our key metrics trend in the right direction, we now have a positivity rate of 6.4%,” said County Executive Calvin Ball. “We will keep making reopening decisions based on our data and we are hopeful that this progress will be sustained throughout the coming months so that our community can recover. Our goal has always been to open as safely and as quickly as possible.”
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County Executive Alsobrooks Announces Modified Phase Two Reopening for Prince George's County on June 15
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Prince George’s County Executive Angela Alsobrooks announced that the County will begin a modified phase two reopening on June 15, 2020 at 5:00 PM. This decision was made under the advice of public health officials and the data that the County has been monitoring, including continued downward trends in the number of COVID-19 cases, deaths, and hospitalizations.
“The past several months have been a trial, but due to the strong efforts of our community to contain the spread of COVID-19, we are now ready to move to the next phase of our incremental reopening of Prince George’s County,” said Alsobrooks. “As we slowly recover from this virus and adjust to our new normal, I want to remind residents that we must all continue to take certain
precautions to protect ourselves and others, including wearing face coverings and practicing physical distancing.”
As part of the modified phase two reopening, residents are still encouraged to exercise caution and limit non-essential trips. A number of non-essential businesses and services will be able to reopen with modifications that protect the health and safety of employees and residents.
For the latest COVID-19 updates and resources in Prince George’s County, please visit
mypgc.us.
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Thank you to all who attended this month's VIRTUAL networking mixer!
We look forward to the next!
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Missed Any of The Central Maryland Chamber Webinars?
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Master Virtual Networking- Presented by Jim Ries,
Offit Kurman on June 3, 2020
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Protecting Confidential Business Information, Servers, and Networks While Working Remotely During the COVID-19 Pandemic- Presented by Chris Riismandel,
Epoch Inc.; Stephen Stern,
Kagan Stern Marinello & Beard, LLC & Brian Dykstra, Atlantic Data Systems on April 30, 2020
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Keeping up with COVID-19_ Practical Pointers for Business Owners to Navigate the Pandemic- Presented by Veronica K. Yu, Esq. & Kelcie Longaker, Esq.,
Offit Kurman and moderated by Michael Cammarata,
Tide Creek Financial Group on May 7, 2020
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Thank you to our Chamber Champions!
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Gold Champions
Silver Champion
Bronze Champion
Chamber Champion
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CMC Members are now hiring and seeking extra help during this time!
Click below for more information:
*Jobs are not guaranteed and constantly change. Contact each organization for more information.
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Member and Regional Business News
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Have an Article or News to Share?
Chamber members are encouraged to share their news in the weekly newsletter.
Newsworthy
articles are included for FREE!
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Looking to Fill an Open Position?
Utilize the Chamber’s job bank to help you find the perfect hire!
Members may post job openings to the job bank for
free
.
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Read and Share the
2020 Business Guide!
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THANK YOU!
2020 Corporate Trustees
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