November Events
Connect MoCo Speed Networking

Join GSSCC and several other area chambers and networking organizations for a virtual joint speed networking event run by Connect MoCo. This is a great opportunity to grow your network and make new connections.

Thursday, November 12
5 p.m. - 6:30 p.m.
Enjoy a sample of what Denizens Brewing Co. has to offer with a virtual Fall Beer Tasting After Hours event with the Chamber! See new faces, make new connections, and indulge in delicious beers!

Denizens will select three beers for GSSCC members to purchase for a virtual tasting and will provide a “beer expert” to walk attendees through the tasting. Attendees can visit Denizens' website to order and purchase the selected beer prior to the event.

Those who order only the three beers will need to pick them up; those that order a six-pack along with the three tasting beers can have their order delivered if they’re located within the delivery boundary for "The Denizens Beermobile." Note: a $5 delivery fee applies and there is a $30 minimum for delivery.

Thursday, November 19
4:30 p.m. - 5:30 p.m.
Did you know that Montgomery County's "Data Montgomery" website has information that can help you grow your business. We're not just talking about opportunities to do business with the County. We're talking about information that can help you find business opportunities in the private sector.

Join us as Judy Stephenson, MoCo’s Small Business Navigator, leads a virtual walk through of Data Montgomery, and more, and unlocks the wealth of information that is yours for the taking. The last 30 minutes will be set aside to virtual networking in breakout rooms for those interested. The Greater Bethesda Chamber, the Gaithersburg-Germantown Chamber, and the Rockville Chamber are joining GSSCC in hosting this event.

Friday, November 20
10 a.m. - 11:30 a.m.
COVID-19 Business News
State and County Financial Assistance - Apply NOW

ReOpen Montgomery Grants Still Available - APPLY HERE
Montgomery County is still accepting applications for grants of up to $5,000 to reimburse businesses for items purchased to comply with State and County reopening requirements to protect public health. A business does not have to have been closed to be eligible for a grant. Find details and the application here. Members with questions can contact jredicker@gsscc.org.

Restaurants and Retail Grants Available from MCEDC - APPLY HERE
The Montgomery County Economic Development Corporation’s (MDEDC) 3R Initiative provides opportunities for grants up to $5,000 to restaurants and retailers. Money can be used to support expenses like delivery service fees, auto insurance costs related to deliveries, inventory costs, and other COVID-related business costs. Businesses in these priority areas (Burtonsville/Briggs Chaney, White Oak, Wheaton/Glenmont, Aspen Hill, Germantown, Damascus, Twinbrook/White Flint, Takoma-Langley, Four Corners, and Montgomery Hills) will be considered first, but all businesses should apply. Once the businesses from the priority areas have been funded, MCEDC will look at all other applications on a first come, first served basis. Learn more here. The deadline for applying is November 5. 

State Layoff Aversion Fund Accepting Applications - APPLY HERE
Governor Larry Hogan and the Maryland Department of Labor have increased funding and opened applications for the COVID-19 Layoff Aversion Fund, which is designed to support small businesses undergoing economic stresses due to the pandemic by preventing or minimizing the duration of unemployment resulting from layoffs. The award (up to $50,000 per applicant), will be a quick deployable benefit and customizable to the specific needs of your business to minimize the need for layoffs. The program will remain open through 30 days after the State of Emergency ends or until funding has been fully exhausted. Learn more here.
SBA Releases Simple PPP Forgiveness Form

The Small Business Administration (SBA) has released a simple one-page forgiveness application for Paycheck Protection Program (PPP) borrowers who obtained loans of $50,000 or less. The new application removes calculations required on prior forms and simplifies documentation requirements. Lots of fine print, but this is great for those who fit the criteria. There is pending legislation for the loans between $50K and $150K, but we don’t know if and when the next package will come out of Congress. Find information here.
Latest News
Welcome New GSSCC Member in October

GSSCC welcomes this organization that became a Chamber member during October. Check out the services it offers.
Blue Bike Communications
Holly Harper
7127 Carroll Ave.
Takoma Park, MD 20912
(208) 891-4966
Marketing/Communications
Companies are Renewing Their Chamber Membership!

Thanks to these organizations for continuing to support the Chamber by renewing their membership during the past month. We're pleased to link readers to these businesses and the products and services they provide.
* Join the Landing of Silver Spring on Tuesday, November 3, for a drive through “Thanks for Giving” food donation benefiting Manna Food Center starting at 3 p.m. Non-perishable food items can be dropped off and the first 50 people will receive a goodie bag.


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.
Tomorrow, Tuesday, November 3, is Election Day. Registered Montgomery County voters can cast their ballot at any one of Montgomery County’s 28 Election Day voting centers. The hours of operation for each voting center is 7 a.m. to 8 p.m. See a map of where you can vote here.

Montgomery County voters can also mail in their ballots or drop off their mail-in ballots at any drop box location by November 3, 2020 by 8 p.m. If you mail your ballot, it must be postmarked on or prior to November 3, 2020 to be counted.
MoCo DOT Increases Silver Spring Parking Rates

New parking rates at Montgomery County-operated garages, parking lots, and street meters in downtown Silver Spring will go into effect beginning today, Monday, November 2, and will be implemented in stages over the course of the month. Over the past month, GSSCC has urged County officials to delay any increases until after the pandemic, pointing out that Silver Spring businesses need incentives, not deterrents, for bringing customers to Silver Spring. County officials argued that the increased revenue is needed to fund operation of the parking lot district and the Urban District.

The new parking rates will be:
  • On-street parking: $2 per hour
  • Surface lot parking: $1.25 per hour
  • NOAA, Wayne, and Town Square Garages (58, 60 and 61): $1.25 per hour
  • All other garages: $1 per hour

Permits:
  • $195.00 monthly access at Garages 60 and 61
  • $132 per month at long-term meter with a Parking Convenience Sticker monthly permit
  • $12 per day with a daily parking permit
Does Your Business Need PPE?

As businesses re-open and employers are tasked with providing PPE for their returning employees, 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.
Upcoming Committee/Network Meetings

* Small Business Owners Network Virtual Meeting - 12 noon on Thursday, November 5. Topic: How technology can support your small business. (Advance registration required here.)

* Non-Profit Team Virtual Meeting - 9 a.m. on Tuesday, November 10.

* Membership Development Committee Virtual Meeting - 9 a.m. on Tuesday, November 24.
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.; Linowes and Blocher, LLP; Revere Bank; The Tower Companies (The Blairs); United Therapeutics Corporation; Washington Property Company.

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