Greater Silver Spring and Rockville Chamber members will grow their networks, build their connections, and explore business opportunities this Thursday at the Joint Virtual Networking event at 5 p.m. 

Will you be one of them?

Register today to mix and mingle with a variety of members in small groups via rotating breakout rooms. 

The GSSCC cordially invites Chamber members to join us for GSSCC 101: Virtual Member Orientation. This virtual event is for new members or new representatives of member companies with a maximum of two per business.

This is the perfect event to learn how to make the most of your membership investment, connect with your fellow Chamber members, and meet the GSSCC staff.

As more and more people become vaccinated against the COVID virus, Montgomery County will likely move toward lifting capacity restrictions on gatherings. As that time approaches, the GSSCC staff looks forward to resuming operations and getting our members together in person when it is safe to do so. At the same time, the health and safety of our members and staff remain a top priority as we begin to plan for Chamber activities in the coming months. So that we can begin to understand our members' comfort level with various options for in-person events, please completing the brief survey linked here.

PHEG dollars could have been used for any normal business operating expenses, including employee wages and benefits, rent, taxes, debt, utilities, inventory, equipment, or any other ordinary and necessary financial obligations. However, PHEG dollars cannot be used for the same expenses as other County, State, or Federal assistance a business might have received (i.e., Paycheck Protection Program (PPP) dollars, the County’s Telework Grant Program, Economic Injury Disaster Loans (EIDL) or Grants, etc.) Here’s a link to the form.

The Maryland General Assembly adjourned its 2021 Legislative Session this Monday, marking the end of a session packed with bills on issues from pandemic relief to police reform. Below is an overview of key bills that have become law or were sent to Governor Larry Hogan for his review. Hogan has until June 1 to sign or veto the bills or allow them to become law without his signature. 

In addition to legislation reported here previously, key business-related legislation that passed during the 90-day session included: 

The governor and the General Assembly worked together on the RELIEF Act, an aid bill enacted last month providing more than $1 Billion in targeted tax relief and economic stimulus for families and small businesses. 

A heavily amended version of House Bill 581 passed the General Assembly late Monday night and is awaiting review from Governor Hogan. Broadly, the bill establishes the following rights, benefits, responsibilities, and obligations related to essential workers, essential employers and catastrophic health emergencies:   

Late Monday, the General Assembly passed legislation that narrows the interpretation of “digital goods” that are subject to a new sales tax passed in 2020. Specifically:

Among legislation that did not move in the General Assembly were bills that would have established a Family and Medical Leave Insurance Program to be funded by mandatory employer and employee contributions; combined reporting for businesses; an effort to remove tax benefits for economic development projects in Federally designation "opportunity zones"; and a bill that would have changed the definition of "harassment in the workplace.

For more information on the 2021 General Assembly, contact Jane Redicker.

* The Spring 2021 MoCo Eats Week begins this Friday, April 23, and runs until Monday, May 3. The event will feature in-person and virtual events showcasing craft beverages and gourmet food from Montgomery County local restaurants. MoCo Eats Week giveaway program includes the Downtown Silver Spring MoCo Eats Staycation featuring a 1-night stay at the Sheraton Silver Spring and deals from The Eleanor and BIBIBOP asian grill. Gift cards can be won from GSSCC members La Malinche and Spice Street. Read here for information on itineraries and redeemable savings prior to the week of the event.

* Happy 6th Anniversary to All Set Restaurant & Bar! Read here for the celebration post.

* Blumen Lumen, the large-scale kinetic art installation featuring 18 to 24-foot folded, stainless-steel flowers is expected to be unveiled soon. The event will be broadcast on Downtown Silver Spring’s social media pages via Facebook Live. Adventist Health frontline workers will ‘flip the switch’ to illuminate Blumen Lumen for the first time. Read Montgomery Community Media’s article here for more information.

* Join GB Youth Media on Saturday, April 24, at 11 a.m. for the MoCo Youth Media Festival 2021. See inspiring short films and fine arts as the organization announces the winners from the Montgomery area. This virtual event will be hosted via Zoom. Read here for more information.

* TW Perry's Spring Savings Sales Event begins today, Monday, April 19, and will run until Friday, April 30. For more information, read here.

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.

* Membership Development Committee Virtual Meeting - 9 a.m. on Tuesday, April 27.

* Economic Development Committee Virtual Meeting - 9 a.m. on Wednesday, April 28.

* Small Business Owners Network Virtual Meeting - 12 noon on Thursday, May 6. Topic: Getting things off your plate: outsourcing or delegating successfully. (Advance registration required here).

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.