The Small Business Administration (SBA) is encouraging businesses to apply to its Shuttered Venue Operators Grant program after releasing its most recent list of recipients on August 4. About half of the $16 billion in funds is still available to businesses, which can apply on the SBA’s website.

The Shuttered Venue Operators grants aim to help theaters, concert venues, and other facilities that have been impacted by the Covid-19 pandemic shutdown. As of July 26, 2021, the SBA awarded grants totaling $7.572 billion. According to the SBA’s list, about 141 Maryland attractions have received grant awards totaling more than $14 million, from just under $14,000 to over $2.3 million.

Sandy Spring Bank is honored to announce that it has once again been named by Forbes as the Best-In-State Bank for the state of Maryland. This is the third straight year Sandy Spring Bank has been named to this list. This national recognition uses consumer feedback to rank financial institutions in each state based on overall satisfaction, recommendations, trust and more.

This recognition is a testament to Sandy Spring Bank’s vision of being a successful, independent financial services company dedicated to creating exceptional and rewarding experiences for our clients.

Forbes Magazine has released its list of America’s Best-in-State Credit Unions for 2021, honoring the top credit unions nationwide. Tower Federal Credit Union, Maryland’s largest federal credit union, received top honors and ranked number one on the 2021 list of Best-in-State Credit Unions for the state of Maryland.

“We were excited to learn that Tower is at the top of this year’s Forbes Best-in-State list,” said Richard Stafford, Tower’s President and CEO. Stafford says he credits the first-place recognition to Tower’s outstanding team of employees and their commitment to providing superior member service, especially during a global pandemic, along with the credit union’s full offering of low or no fee products and services, top-notch online and digital channels, and focus on financial education and member give-back.

Businesses can click here to use the U.S. Chamber's one-click advocacy tool to tell your Members of Congress to do the right thing for American businesses and not increase the corporate tax rate during this time of recovery. We encourage you to share with your networks and join the effort, too. #RecoveryNotTaxes

The Military Affairs Committee of the Central Maryland Chamber will be collecting school supplies to provide to the 4 Elementary Schools, 2 Middle Schools, and High School located on Fort Meade. All supplies need to be dropped off at the chamber conference room (8379 Piney Orchard Parkway, Odenton) by appointment only. Contact Kim to make arrangements at kim@centralmarylandchamber.org. We will make arrangements to deliver to the schools before they start for the 2021-22 Academic Year.

August 26 | Virtual | 9:00 - 10:00 a.m.

Weekly Inclusion, Diversity, Equity & Awareness Conversations

At the heart of business is relationships. Entrepreneurs succeed by nurturing relationships with their customers, suppliers, partners, and families. But how often do you shine a light on those relationships to identify potential inclusion gaps? Probably not too frequently unless there’s a specific reason.

Proactively, here are 3 strategies for creating more inclusion in your business.

The Central Maryland Chamber alongside The Business Monthly has begun the process of updating and printing our new Business Directory and Relocation Guide. As part of your membership, every Central Maryland Chamber member receives a listing in the Business Guide. You will receive a copy of the “Relocation and Business Resource Guide” for no charge in October/November.

We need your help to be certain that all of your profile information is correct before it is printed in the directory.

Please head to your current member profile and select 'Update Profile' to verify and update any information by August 20th. (If you have any trouble accessing your account, please email info@centralmarylandchamber.org .)

A representative of The Business Monthly will be in touch with you soon about the “Relocation and Business Resource Guide” and how you can participate.

The Central Maryland Chamber “Relocation and Business Resource Guide” is an opportunity for us to stand united as a business community and to network with one another and to reach new opportunities!

Join here!

Watch all webinars for FREE here!