COVID-19 Business News
County Set to Allow Normal Business Operations Soon

With 50 percent of Montgomery County's population now fully vaccinated, County officials are set to allow the return to normal operations across all indoor and outdoor businesses, restaurants, theatres, entertainment venues, and sports facilities by the end of the month. Council will take action on the latest reopening resolution, as well as review Centers for Disease Control guidance on masking rules, tomorrow, Tuesday, May 18.

On Saturday, May 15, the State of Maryland lifted statewide restrictions on indoor and outdoor businesses and ended its mask mandate for fully-vaccinated residents, but businesses and localities may still set their own policies on masking and physical distancing. Masks are still required on public transportation and in schools, child care and health care settings.
UPDATE - COVID-related Financial Assistance Programs

Small, Minority, Women-Owned Loan Program

Grants and loans are still available for small, minority, and women-owned businesses through fund managers at two financial institutions - FSC First and Meridian Management Group (MMG). The Maryland’s Small, Minority, and Women Owned Business Account COVID-19 RELIEF Program offers up to $50,000 in paired loans and grants to eligible businesses facing continued financial impacts from the pandemic. The program is first-come, first-served. Applicants to the MMG program should contact Mark Harrison. Information on the FSC First program is here.

Small Business Rent Relief Grants Open Today

The Montgomery County Small Business Rental Assistance Program opens today, Monday, May 17. The last day to apply is Monday, May 24. The program will provide grants to small businesses in qualifying industries to support rental costs, both current and arrears rent payments. Qualifying businesses can receive up to $10,000 in rental assistance or three months of rent, whichever is less. For details on the program and eligibility, click here.

SBA RELIEF Grant Program Deadline Extended

The Maryland Small Business COVID-19 RELIEF Grant Program is extending the application period to Monday, May 24. Small businesses now have more time to apply for the program, or reapply if they were denied due to missing documents, until 11:59 p.m. that night. To apply for this program, businesses must first create an account with the Maryland Department of Commerce here. Once an account is created, the business owner will receive an email with a link to the application and be asked to login. Reminder: Businesses that primarily sell goods or offer services that require collection of sales and use tax are not eligible for this program.

Restaurant Relief Round 3 Coming

Montgomery County is expected to approve a 3rd round of the Restaurant Relief Fund this week, with applications opening next week. The grant is for up to $10,000 for first-time applicants that have not received a previous restaurant relief grant; past recipients may be eligible to receive an additional $5,000. Updates will be posted to the Montgomery County Economic Development Corporation's (MCEDC) COVID-19 Resource Page.

Grants for Non-Profits In the Works

The County has also allocated $3.4M to the Montgomery County Economic Development Corporation (MCEDC) for grants to non-profits and community organizations that create and sustain jobs, with priority given to minority applicants in the fields of STEM, research and development, and small-scale manufacturing. Applications will open in the coming weeks in anticipation of a July 1 submission date.

Watch for Invitation to Apply for Additional EIDL Grants

Businesses that previously received an Economic Injury Disaster Loan Advance, but did not receive the full $10,000 grant, should look for an email invitation from the Small Business Administration (SBA) to apply for additional funds. Members should check email, including spam folders for the invitation to apply.

May Events
Comeback Coffee with the Chamber - In Person!

Don’t miss GSSCC’s first in-person networking event of 2021, set for this Wednesday, May 19, at 8 a.m. at PJ's Coffee of New Orleans (8621 Georgia Avenue).

Purchase a cup of coffee and pastry item and head outside to PJ’s patio and the LDG parking lot to network with fellow members.

Space is plenty, check in is contactless, attendee contact information is shared post-event, and masks are required when not actively eating and drinking.

Free for members, $15 for non-members. 

THIS WEEK!
Wednesday, May 19
8 a.m. to 9 a.m.
Latest News
Calling All Young Professionals

The GSSCC Young Professionals Network (YPN) took a break from in-person events during the pandemic, but staff has recently heard that members are interested in getting back together. Join fellow young professionals at 4 p.m. on Thursday, June 3, for an exploratory meeting (via Zoom) to reconnect, plan upcoming events and meetings, and build interest in the group. Staff will provide a brief overview of the YPN for those new to the group. Register here.
Check Out Your Chamber's Money-Saving Member-2-Member Discount Program 

Increase your visibility, draw in new customers, save money, and support your fellow members with the Chamber’s Member-2-Member Discount Program today.

All company employees are eligible to take advantage of these savings. Not sure what to offer? Consider a percentage discount, complimentary consultation, discount on a specific product, waiving an application fee, or a reduced membership fee.

To view a list of the current Member-2-Member Discounts, click here. If you are interested in offering a new Member-2-Member Discount, please log into your company portal and click on the "Create a Coupon" link. If you have questions, please contact cjenkins@gsscc.org.
* The Silver Spring Library (900 Wayne Avenue) will reopen on Tuesday, June 1. It will be open by appointment only for browsing and checking out materials, picking up holds, computer use, print/copy/scan services, and information and circulation services only. It will be open 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. on Monday, Wednesday, Friday, and Saturday, and 12 noon to 8 p.m. on Tuesday and Thursday. Read here for more information.

* ARSO Neuro Rehab and Orthopedic Center is relocating to a new address starting Monday, May 17. The new location is 12200 Tech Road Suite 120, Silver Spring, MD 20904.

* Denizens Brewing Co is offering a free pint of one of their year round beers for anyone who get’s their first vaccine shot between May 12 and May 31. Bring your card and ID to the either of the taprooms to redeem. 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.
Upcoming Committee/Network Meetings

* Membership Development Committee Virtual Meeting - 9 a.m. on Tuesday, May 25.

* Economic Development Committee Virtual Meeting - 9 a.m. on Wednesday, May 26 - TENTATIVE. Committee members, watch your email.

* Small Business Owners Network Virtual Meeting - 12 noon on Thursday, June 3. Topic: Ways to make your brand known - to your target audience, your internal team, and beyond. (Advance registration required here).

* Young Professionals Network Virtual Meeting - 4 p.m. on Thursday, June 3.

* Non-Profit Team Virtual Meeting - 9 a.m. on Tuesday, June 8.
OUR MISSION:
Working to enhance the economic prosperity of greater Silver Spring through robust promotion of 
our member businesses and unrelenting advocacy 
on their behalf.
Thank you to our 2019-2020 GSSCC Partners

Corporate Partners - Downtown Silver Spring; Lee Development Group; Montgomery College; Joseph W. McCartin Insurance;
Adventist HealthCare White Oak Medical Center

 Business Partners - Andalman & Flynn, AFI Silver Theatre; Apex Home 
Loans; Atlantech Online; Digital Industry; EagleBank; Holy Cross Hospital; The Fillmore Silver Spring; Lerch, Early & Brewer Chtd.; United Therapeutics Corporation; Washington Property Company.

 Partners - Peak Performance Digital; Bell Flowers; EBA Ernest Bland Associates; Image360.
Greater Silver Spring Chamber of Commerce
8601 Georgia Avenue Suite 203
301-565-3777
info@gsscc.org