Congressional leaders last night reached a deal on a nearly $900 billion COVID-19 relief package that includes continuation of the Paycheck Protection Program (PPP), new funding for Economic Injury Disaster Loans (EIDL) and Grants, extension of the Employee Retention Tax Credit, extended unemployment insurance benefits, and individual checks to certain taxpayers, and more. The package excludes liability protections from Covid-19-related lawsuits for businesses, universities and health care centers for businesses and other entities. It also excluded funding for state and local governments.

The measure is tied to a $1.4 trillion must-pass spending bill that will fund federal agencies and programs through September 30, the end of the fiscal year. Lawmakers are expected to vote on the package today.

Based on various news reports, here are a few details of what is in the package for business:

As more details emerge, GSSCC will provide updated and expanded information.

The Chamber would like to celebrate any member business that successfully adapted during the pandemic, be it with a new product, new business model, or the like. Share your successful business pivot stories with the Chamber by emailing Jane here.

Mark your calendars and start looking for your best Hawaiian shirt for the Young Professionals Network Virtual Beach Party Business After Hours!

There will be a cocktail demonstration by a member restaurant, a cooking demonstration by Corcoran Caterers, networking in breakout rooms, and a beach-themed trivia competition.

GSSCC President Jane Redicker recently joined Montgomery Community Media's Kelly Leonard for the December episode of Small Business Network at Home. The series of monthly sessions address topics of interest to small business owners in Montgomery County and this month's topic was "Small Business Road to Economic Recovery, Part 2."

"I have so much pride and so much respect for so many of our business owners because of what they do every day and the resilience they've shown," said Redicker.

Watch to learn how the Chamber has provided resources and opportunities for small businesses to survive and recover during the pandemic.

The Chamber’s commitment to providing high-quality networking opportunities and educational content did not waiver when the pandemic began but rather increased with virtual meetings, webinars, and joint networking events.

GSSCC's webinars covered a range of key topics like:

Re-watch your favorites by visiting the Chamber YouTube page.

Just because the holiday season might look a little different this year doesn’t mean you can’t have a delicious dinner or seasonal treats! Although restaurants will operate without indoor dining, you can still get great carryout or delivery from your favorite restaurants.

Check out the new "Home for the Holidays with GSSCC Member Restaurants" page for holiday specials and promotions!

Help support member businesses this holiday season! Check out these holiday promotions:

* All Set Restaurant & Bar: Oh What a Year! Holiday Dinner for four for $150. View the flyer here and place your order here. Choose Your Own Adventure dinner specials for two for $55. Details and order form here.

* Ellsworth Place: Offering a free “ELLS the Elf” gift with purchase when you spend $100 at a single or multiple store(s) at Ellsworth Place in one day. This promotion runs Monday, December 7, through Wednesday, December 23. Read here for promotion details.

* Hampton Inn by Hilton and Homewood Suites are offering a Holiday room rate for their Take the Elevator Home campaign. Available Sunday, December 20 through Sunday, December 27, enjoy $79 King and $89 two Queen at Hampton Inn by Hilton and rooms starting at $89 at Homewood Suites. Read more here.

* Nothing Bundt Cakes: Beginning Wednesday, December 9, the following flavors will be available for order: lemon, white chocolate raspberry, chocolate chocolate chip, red velvet, and peppermint chocolate chip. Place your order here.

* The US Food and Drug Administration has approved a genetically modified pig for allergy-free medical and food products. The pigs are licensed to Revivicor Inc., which a subsidiary of United Therapeutics. Read here for more information.

* Denizens Brewing has recently been profiled in a Washington Business Journal article as part of “Small Business, Big Mission,” an ongoing series following seven Greater Washington businesses amid the COVID-19 pandemic. Read the article here.

* Congratulations to Bankers Business Management Services for receiving a Comcast RISE Award. Included in the award is consulting, media, and creative production services from Effectv, the advertising sales division of Comcast Cable, or technology upgrades from Comcast Business. Read the news release here.

* Good News Network polled readers on Facebook to find which companies have excelled during the pandemic and 4 Corners Pub was a winner under the Eating Out category for their donation of pizzas to local hospitals and front line workers. Read the article here.

* Loebig Ink has received a “Best in Search” award from TopSEOs.com, an independent authority on search vendors. In addition to the award, Loebig Ink is also listed among top companies specializing in search engine optimization on the TopSEOs website. Read the announcement here.

* The Urban Winery has moved its physical operations to its warehouse space but will still provide an on-line store for shipping, home delivery, or pick up. 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.

As businesses re-open and employers are tasked with providing PPE for their returning employees, GSSCC 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.

* Small Business Owners Network Virtual Meeting - 12 Noon on Thursday, January 7.

* Non-Profit Team Virtual Meeting - 9 a.m. on Tuesday, January 12.

* Membership Development Committee Virtual Meeting - 9 a.m. on Tuesday, January 26.

* Economic Development Committee Virtual Meeting - 9 a.m. on Wednesday, January 27.

Corporate Partners - Downtown Silver Spring; Lee Development Group; Montgomery College; Joseph W. McCartin Insurance;

 Business Partners - Andalman & Flynn, AFI Silver Theatre; Apex Home 

 Partners - Adam Lowe Creative; Bell Flowers; EBA Ernest Bland Associates; Image360.