The Greater Silver Spring Chamber of Commerce is working in partnership with the Montgomery County’s Business Liaison Office to create a series of programs that support the success of businesses in our community.

We seek your help to identify the resources and activities most useful to business owners at this time. Please take a few moments to tell us what is important to you.

Take the 3-question survey here.

Only a month stands between you and the event we wait all year FORE: The 2021 Chamber Cup – Annual Business Golf Classic! Secure your foursome’s spot now by locking in an event sponsorship here.

Hurry though, these exclusive opportunities will sell fast. Start reaping the benefits of strategic logo placements, mentions in our emails and newsletters, and features on our social media communications by registering today.

We are slowly getting back to some type of normalcy as businesses reopen. However, unprecedented temperatures and multiple tropical storms across the US continue to escalate utility prices.

Natural gas rates are up 50% from last year and are project to be up 100% by November. Electricity rates are up 30% from last year and are projected to be up 50% by November. Can you absorb these increases? Now mare than ever members should enroll in the program.

Join the Chamber and CQI Associates on Thursday, September 9, at 9 a.m. for an informational webinar to discuss the Chamber Energy Purchasing Cooperative Program and how it compares to other options in the market.

Members of the Greater Bethesda and Greater Silver Spring Chambers of Commerce gathered last week for a Joint Networking After-Hours. Connections were doubled, networks were grown, and a good time was had by all. Thank you to Montgomery College - Takoma Park/Silver Spring for hosting us. Check out the Chamber Calendar for future networking opportunities.

Beginning this week and through the end of September, the southbound/eastbound lanes of Ramsey Avenue between the 2nd Level of the Silver Spring Transit Center and Bonifant Street will be closed periodically for underground utility relocation. Work will occur Monday through Friday and on weekends, as needed, between 7 a.m. and 7 p.m. and on weekends.

Beginning on or about Thursday, August 19 through Friday, August 20, the southbound, righthand lane of Colesville Road between East-West Highway and 2nd Avenue will be closed from time to time between 9 a.m. and 3 p.m.

On or about October 11, Purple Line crews will implement a long-term traffic pattern change on Bonifant (East) between Georgia Avenue and Fenton Street to reduce the road to a one-way eastbound street to facilitate utility relocations. Crews will work between 7 a.m. and 5 p.m. Monday through Friday, and on weekends as needed for the following three month. Sidewalks may be closed intermittently, but ADA-compliant pedestrian, vehicular, and business access will be maintained at all times with reduced on-street parking. Flagging operations will be used when needed.

Montgomery County Assistant Chief Administrative Officer (ACAO) Jerome Fletcher will host a webinar on businesses and licensure requirements from noon to 1 p.m. this Friday, August 20, as part of the County’s series of virtual town hall meetings begun during the pandemic.

Senior Health and Human Services Administrator Clark Beil will discuss how the Office of Licensure and Regulatory Services has changed since the start of the COVID-19 health crisis. In addition, ACAO Fletcher will address updates on the County COVID-19 vaccination efforts and economic recovery from the health crisis with County Health Officer Travis Gayles and Acting ACAO Earl Stoddard.

To join the broadcast, visit here. Business owners who have questions for the speakers should submit them here by Wednesday, August 18.

* Join GSSCC as we cut the ribbon for the Grand Opening of Mission Autism Clinics on Friday, August 27, at 2:30 p.m. at 11921-A Bournefield Way, Silver Spring, MD 20904. RSVP here. Clinic tours will run from 2:30 p.m. to 5 p.m. View the invitation here.

* Join SEEC for its 4th annual, family friendly FootGolf event on Saturday, September 25, at Sligo Creek. Staggered tee times by team begins at 12 noon. Sign up to play at the golf course or be a sponsor and send a team. Read here for more information or contact Katrina Kugel. The Promotional Sponsor is ResInnova Laboratories and the Bar Sponsor is Scott Team International.

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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.

* Young Professionals Network Meeting - 4 p.m. on Thursday, August 19, via Zoom. (Advance registration required here.)

* Member Development Committee Meeting - 9 a.m. on Tuesday, August 28, via Zoom.

Most GSSCC committees take a break from meeting in August and will resume in September. Watch this space for information on upcoming meeting dates and times.

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

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

 Partners - Bell Flowers; EBA Ernest Bland Associates; Image360; Peak Performance Digital; Scott Team International.