The long-awaited second round of Federal COVID-19 relief monies is finally open. Join us at 1 p.m. this Thursday, January 28, when David Hincapie, Economic Development Specialist for the Washington Metropolitan Area District Office of the U.S. Small Business Administration, will provide the latest details and answer questions on how businesses can access these programs.

The package includes many provisions, including a second round of funding for both the Paycheck Protection Program (PPP) and the Economic Injury Disaster Loan (EIDL) Advance Grant.

As part of Governor Hogan's RELIEF Act of 2021, Montgomery County has received money for two new relief programs. Montgomery County has received $4.9 million for the Restaurant Relief Grant Program, which will be administered by the Montgomery County Economic Development Corporation (MCEDC). Current plans are to make grants available first to restaurants that did not receive grants under the previous round, then provide the opportunity for additional dollars to those restaurants that applied and received assistance in the first round. Council will hold a public hearing on the appropriation at 1:30 p.m. tomorrow, Tuesday, January 26. Here's a link to the Council package on the action. When details are available, we will forward information to restaurant members.

The Governor's package also included the Hotel Relief Grant Program, through which Montgomery County will receive $6.2 million. This program will be administered by Visit Montgomery. A County Council hearing on the hotel grant appropriation is also scheduled for 1:30 p.m. tomorrow, Tuesday, January 26. Click here for more details.

As more businesses began to sell wellness shields or sneeze guards, Signarama Silver Spring elevated its game to provide commercial/industrial grade options with professional installation. This pivot has made it possible for Signarama to expand its business into nearby counties and have outfitted five locations for the Prince George’s County Department of Social Services and two locations for the Anne Arundel County Department of Human Services. These are very significant projects and more details on their scope can be found here. Congratulations to Signarama Silver Spring on the successful business pivot.

Want to highlight how your business successfully pivoted? Share your story with the Chamber by emailing Jane Redicker here.

After 2020, we could all use a break. Take yours with the Young Professionals Network for a Virtual Beach Party Business After Hours, sponsored by CCI Health & Wellness Services!

Join the Chamber to:

Don't miss the first Chamber networking event of 2021!

Join the Chamber and expertise from Holy Cross Hospital, White Oak Medical Center, and CCI Health & Wellness Services for a webinar on the Covid-19 vaccine. Learn more about what vaccines are and how they work plus participate in a Q&A session to get your questions answered.

GSSCC is partnering with the Greater Bethesda Chamber and Gaithersburg-Germantown Chamber to bring members a webinar on Human Resources Concerns Surrounding the COVID-19 Vaccine for Employees on Thursday, February 11, at 1 p.m. Watch here for more details!

Thank you to Pacci's Trattoria & Pasticceria and EagleBank for renewing your membership and sticking with the Chamber! If you'd like the Chamber to visit with a 2020-2021 Door Cling sticker, contact Courtney at cjenkins@gsscc.org.

* Apex Homes Loans is partnering with Manna Food Center through a new Mortgage for Meals Program to combat the rising rate of food insecurity in Montgomery County. As of January 2021, for every loan closed by a corporate branch at Apex Home Loans, the firm makes a monetary donation that can help feed up to five families locally. Read the news release here and learn more here.

* Staples is offering special partner discounts on an assortment of products for Chamber members every time they shop in store. Deals include 20% off in-store Print & Marketing Services order and 10% off your in-store purchase of regularly priced items. Read here for more information.

* Digital Industry has two new additions to the Business Development team: Craig Stallings as Executive Sales Representative and Camila Rossel Escudero as the full time Marketing Manager.

* Tacos, Tortas & Tequila is participating in the Metropolitan Washington Winter Restaurant Week which begins today, Monday, January 25 and runs 14 days through Sunday, February 7. Read the Source of the Spring article here for more details.

* To celebrate its second anniversary, Nothing Bundt Cakes wants to thank as many community members as possible with several benefit days, giveaways, prizes, and more starting Wednesday, January 27, to Saturday, January 30. Friday, January 29, is SEEC Benefit Day with 10% of sales donated to the organization. Read here for more details.

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.

To help employers tasked with providing PPE to keep their employees safe, 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.

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

* Economic Development Committee Virtual Meeting - 9 a.m. on Wednesday, January 27. United Therapeutics to discuss its latest expansion project on Spring Street.

* Small Business Owners Virtual Meeting - 12 noon on Thursday, February 4.

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

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

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