Celebrating Women-Owned Businesses
March is Women’s History Month and, from a business perspective, the importance of women on our economy can’t be overstated. More than ever, women are making an impact on small business, entrepreneurship and start-up ventures. Just a few statistics:
• In the past five years, total employment by women-owned businesses rose 8%, compared to 1.8% for all other businesses. (NAWBO)
• 5.4 million firms are majority-owned by women of color in the United States. (NAWBO)
• In 2020, women-owned businesses executed 344,000 contracts across the U.S., with 4,591 contracts specifically providing critical COVID-19 support. (PERFORMANCE.GOV)
• In 2021, about 19.9% of all businesses were owned by women. In Maryland, this figure is around 22%. (CENSUS)
If you’re a local business owner seeking opportunities to develop professional contacts or exchange information with women-owned businesses, the Chamber of Commerce’s “Women to Women” forum offers a fresh way to interact and support the economic advancement of women in Calvert County. Both women and men are welcome! For more information, visit CalvertChamber.org.
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Made in Calvert: Chesapeake Plastics
Chesapeake Plastics is a design, prototyping, tooling and manufacturing company specializing in injection molded plastics, metal processing and 3D printing of production parts, tools, hardware, casings, proof-of-concept prototypes and other products. They provide products and solutions for the Department of Defense, entrepreneurs, recreation and sports industries, consumers, automobile and marine uses, information technology and construction applications.
The team uses mobile, wireless technology for statistical process control at their five machines allowing for better process control while minimizing variation and rejects on the production floor. They can run as few as 64 parts per month, or up to 80,000.
With over three decades of combined experience and the ability to manage the entire manufacturing process in-house, Chesapeake Plastics can scale production as large or as small as a project requires. The entire process, beginning with design, is done at their Lusby, Maryland, location which makes the lead time on projects significantly shorter than working with several contractors. They are also ISO 9000 compliant and follow Lean Manufacturing practices to reduce part cost and increase efficiency. Depending on the complexity of the project, they can complete the entire process – from design to manufacturing – in as few as 30 days.
If you are a Calvert County-based business and make a product you’d like featured in an upcoming edition of our newsletter, please contact us at info@ecalvert.com.
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Info You Can Use
• Did you know the Department of Economic Development has access to demographic data, occupation reports and more powered by JobsEQ? Visit us online to learn about this resource or the other services that the department provides.
• Seeking information on available property for sale or lease in Calvert County? Do you need an underwriting report, comparable assessments, an economic summary or traffic counts for a subject property? Allow us to help with a CoStar report. Contact our office by email or phone at 410-535-4583 for a consultation.
• Maryland’s Department of Commerce has a great online tool to help with a variety of resources and programs available to business owners. With tips on how to start a business, exporting, loans and tax credit programs, workforce solutions and government contracting – among others – you can find a variety of helpful information on the Resources for Success website.
• Free is always good – and the Small Business Administration offers hundreds of free virtual training events throughout the year. Visit the SBA website to review the offerings or to register.
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2022 Visitor Guides Available
If you’d like a stack of 2022 Calvert County Visitors Guides to distribute to your employees, guests or customers, contact us at 410-535-4583 for details.
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25, 50, 75 or 100 Years!
If your company is celebrating a milestone anniversary this year – like Dunkirk Family Practice (25 years) – please let us know. We’d love to highlight your success and help you celebrate!
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Free KN95 Masks Available for Calvert County Businesses
The Calvert County Department of Economic Development, in coordination with the Calvert County Chamber of Commerce and the Calvert County Health Department, have organized a KN95 mask distribution drive for local businesses.
Well-fitting KN95 masks, or “respirators,” are touted by the Centers for Disease Control as providing the highest level of protection against COVID-19 and residents are strongly encouraged to continue mask wearing to prevent the spread of the disease.
Calvert County-based businesses must register online to receive masks in bundles of 20 for use by employees or customers. Businesses do not need to be a member of the Calvert County Chamber of Commerce to receive masks. Masks will be provided on a first-come, first-served basis and business owners are encouraged to pre-order enough masks to support their staff and customers for a three-week period. Masks are free, however they must be pre-ordered online at www.calvertchamber.org or by calling the Calvert County Chamber of Commerce at 410-535-2577. Unscheduled pick-ups cannot be accommodated.
Mask distribution occurs on Tuesdays, 9-11 a.m., and Thursdays, 1-3 p.m., at the following locations:
- Northeast Community Center
4075 Gordon Stinnett Ave., Chesapeake Beach
- Harriet Elizabeth Brown Community Center
901 Dares Beach Road, Prince Frederick
- Southern Community Center
20 Appeal Lane, Lusby
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Summer School at the College of Southern Maryland |
With courses in information technology, construction, early childhood education, business and healthcare, among others, as well as the opportunity to receive a workforce training certificate in some disciplines, summer is a perfect time to get your employees or yourself the training needed to excel. CSM’s continuing education programs provide the job-specific training needed for career or workforce enhancement.
Visit the CSM website for details or to register for the summer 2022 semester.
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Seeking Farmers, Growers and Makers
The Calvert County Farmers Market Association is seeking vendors for the 2022 Farmers Market Season! Growers, producers, and cottage food bakers are encouraged to apply.
To apply, please contact Kelly.Swann@calvertcountymd.gov and request an application. We request vendor applications be submitted by April 1, 2022. Responses to applicants will be made by April 8, 2022.
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Stay connected with us! Follow us on LinkedIn to stay up to date on the most recent news, events and announcements from the Department of Economic Development. |
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Calvert County Department of Economic Development | 410-535-4583 | info@ecalvert.com | eCalvert.com
Produced by the Department of Communications & Media Relations
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