Chamber Connections 
May 27, 2022
Governor Hogan Announces Plan to Deploy $198 Million in Small Business Relief
Governor Larry Hogan announced that the State of Maryland will deploy up to $198 million in federal small business relief through the State Small Business Credit Initiative (SSBCI). Maryland was the first state in the nation to submit its SSBCI deployment plan to the United States Treasury Department, and today was one of the first five states to be approved.“

“Through a number of relief programs, our efforts to keep Maryland ‘open for business’ during the pandemic have protected jobs and empowered one of the strongest and sustainable recoveries in the nation,” said Governor Hogan. “We have one of the most aggressive plans in the country to get these resources out the door utilizing our very successful lending and investment programs to help our small businesses, particularly those in underserved communities primed for revitalization.”
Membership 101
June 2 | Virtual | 11:00 am - 12:00 pm
Fostering IDEAs: Networking Event to Discuss DEI Initiatives
Introductory event of the chamber's newest committee: IDEA - Inclusion, Equity, Diversity and Awareness.

Join us for networking followed by a panel discussion with industry professionals. Discussion topics include: attractiveness of diversity, implementation, roadblocks and much more!

Panelists include:
  • Ms. Shay Cook, IDEA Committee Chair & Facilitator, Crusaders for Change, LLC
  • Ms. Cindi Mitchell, Blue Flaire, LLC
  • Dr. Johnetta Thurston, JDA Management & Consulting Group
  • Ms. Meg Minarcin, Chesapeake Think Tank, LLC
  • Mr. Steven Waddy, Anne Arundel County NAACP
Central Maryland Classic Golf Tournament is BACK!
Reserve your sponsorship & register TODAY!
Thank You to Our Sponsors!
2022 BGH Scholarship Presentation
Congratulations to the 2022 recipients of the Bormel, Grice & Huyett Business Scholarship Award! Ayotomiwa Olagoke-Bello & Timothy Cronin of St. Vincent Pallotti High School were presented the award by Bette Anne Sanders. Our best wishes for future success to the Class of 2022!!

The Bormel, Grice & Huyett Business Scholarship Award has been awarded for over 20 years and is presented annually to area high school seniors for scholastic achievement and interest in pursuing a business curriculum in college. Past recipients include students from River Hill, Laurel, Reservoir, Hammond, Glenelg, Atholton, Mt. Hebron and Oakland Mills High Schools. 

(Left to Right Ayotomiwa Olagoke-Bello, Bette Anne Sanders and Timoth Cronin)
Newk’s Eatery Brings a Slice of Hospitality to Maryland
Tucked away in the town of Gambrills, Md. is a little piece of heaven called Newk’s Eatery. Owner Tom Saia and his team over at Newk’s have been serving up southern-influenced classics to the Anne Arundel County area since the eatery first opened its doors eight years ago. Mr. Saia had dreams of taking over a franchise opportunity and once he became familiar with the Newk’s Eatery brand, he was blown away by the atmosphere and quality of food.

According to Mr. Saia, what stood out the most about Newk's Eatery was the high caliber ingredients and the welcoming environment of the franchise. “We were first drawn to the Newk’s Eatery franchise because of the open-kitchen feel, the freshness and the quality of the food and, of course, the hospitality-driven culture that all of the Newk’s locations strive to deliver,” he said.
Rehab 2 Perform Named Innovator of the Year 
The Ascend awards recognize two outstanding practices in two different ways. The Innovator of the Year award is presented to a practice that’s a total rehab therapy trailblazer—one that’s executing innovative, unique, and cool new ideas. The Practice of the Year award is presented to an industry leader—a practice that’s making waves and enjoying proven success. One application, two awards.
WLR Automotive Group to Open an Auto Spa Express in Odenton, MD
WLR Automotive Group, Inc., is scheduled to open an Auto Spa Express, in Odenton, MD on Monday, May 31, 2022. The new Auto Spa Express will be conveniently located at 1524 Annapolis Road. This marks the company’s 26th business location and 6th Auto Spa Express.

The Auto Spa Express offers customers a cutting-edge car wash experience. The state-of-the-art 100-foot tunnel boasts high-tech stainless-steel equipment and uses two types of wraps; soft microfiber and neoprene wraps that do not hold dirt. There is colorful LED lighting throughout, with a rainbow rinse that adds enjoyment to the overall experience. The Auto Spa’s filtration system under the tunnel removes minerals, to ensure a spot-free rinse. The tunnel ends with 18 air cannons and 2 heated dryers, for maximum drying. Also, worthy of note, the tunnels can fit dually wheeled trucks.

Randall S. Simpson, President and CEO of WLR Automotive Group, said, “We are thrilled to open a brand-new Auto Spa Express in Odenton, MD., and provide customers with an innovative car wash experience. Simpson added, “the new location has a team of talented and hardworking individuals who are proud to be a part of this new endeavor.”
Grant Opportunity: Racial Equity Capital Fund
Exelon launched a Racial Equity Capital Fund (RECF), in partnership with the Exelon Foundation, to expand access to capital to minority businesses so they can create more jobs, grow their companies, and reinvest in their neighborhoods and communities. The fund builds on Exelon’s longstanding history of supporting the underserved and under-resourced communities and further delivers on Exelon's commitment to drive economic equity and opportunity for Exelon's customers and communities.

Purpose
The Racial Equity Capital Fund was created to strengthen communities and help minority businesses grow by:
  • Providing affordable capital to minority-owned businesses and businesses in underserved and under-resourced communities that may have had challenges accessing and securing funding.
  • Increasing minority business capacity and subsequent employment opportunities for diverse local communities.
  • Utilizing the expertise of the fund manager, RockCreek, a diverse-owned firm with > 75% diverse ownership and management team diversity – to make investment decisions.
  • Developing partnerships with minority community banks, other key local financial or community organizations, RockCreek will grow the capability of the capital fund to provide additional investment and lending opportunities.
Rehab 2 Perform Grand Opening!
Click Flyer to RSVP
CMC UPCOMING EVENTS
SAVE THE DATE & REGISTER TODAY!
  • Membership 101 | June 2nd | 11:00 a.m. - 12:00 p.m. | Virtual | Register here
  • Multi-Chamber Networking Luncheon | June 9th | 11:00 a.m. - 1:00 p.m. | Yellowfin | Register here
  • Fostering IDEAs | June 14th | 3:00 - 5:00 p.m. | AACC Arundel Mills | Register here
  • USDA-BARC Tour | June 15th | 10:00 a.m. - 12:00 p.m. | Beltsville Agricultural Research Center | Register here
  • Central Maryland Classic Golf Tournament | June 21st | | Turf Valley Resort| Register here
  • Small Business Seminar: Everything You Ever Wanted to Know About Networking, Connecting, and Sales | June 29th | 10:00 - 11:00 a.m. | Hybrid | Register here
Central Maryland Chamber Job Board
Job Opportunities Available
Utilize the Chamber’s job board to help you find the perfect hire!

Members may post job openings to the board for free
Fostering IDEA's
Weekly Inclusion, Diversity, Equity & Awareness Conversations
3 Ways Companies Can Advance Diversity, Equity & Inclusion Beyond Their Own Four Walls
Most business leaders, when they set out to build a DEI strategy, focus their attention inside their organizations—on things like hiring policies, strategies for retaining and advancing employees from underrepresented groups, and the cultural factors that promote or inhibit greater diversity, equity, and inclusion. Yet in our experience working with some of the country’s largest and most successful businesses to advance their DEI goals, leaders who look beyond their own ‘four walls’—focusing as much on external stakeholders as on their own workforces— are poised create more significant impact with their DEI strategies than are their peers.

How a company acts, and is viewed, externally when it comes to DEI has a big impact on its relationship with both internal and external stakeholders. For example, 50% of all employees say they would consider switching jobs for a company with a more built out DEI strategy or greater pay equity. And besides reinforcing internally focused DEI efforts by building trust and loyalty among their workforces (and attracting future talent), robust DEI programs can gain or increase customer loyalty by responding to the 51% of US adults who say that who say they would be either “more likely” or “much more likely” to support a company that makes a public commitment to DEI initiatives.
Member and Regional Business News
Read and Share the CMC Business Guide!
Central Maryland Chamber is on YouTube!
Member Benefit!
Member-Only LinkedIn Group Page
Join here!
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
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

THANK YOU!
2022 Corporate Trustees
Legacy Leader:
Platinum Trustees: 
Gold Trustees: