The Chamber Updates
We hosted an amazing webinar on May 13th. Bob Frank, Attorney and Founder of The Law Offices of Bob Frank, instructed attendees on what is considered “an act of God/Nature” for contracts and if COVID-19 is considered within this category. It was an interesting exercise to think through.
If you are a business owner, you will gain a lot of legal insight which you may need now and going forward as we work our way out of the shut-down.
We Want To Talk About Your Business!
Every Friday, we have been going LIVE on our Facebook Page each Friday at 10am to give chamber news and updates as well as highlight some of our members who are doing “good” in the community during this health crisis.
If you have company news on how you are helping your employees or community, please send to nw@northwestchambermd.com.
Important News From Baltimore County
Executive Order—Friday, May 15
Following Maryland Governor Larry Hogan’s announcement on May 14 to end the statewide Stay-at-Home order, Baltimore County Executive Johnny Olszewski issued Executive Order 2020-005 (PDF).The order went into effect Friday, May 15, at 5 p.m. The order announced the following actions:
- Prohibition of 10 or More Extended
- Retail Stores to Reopen for Curbside Pickup and Delivery Only
- Remaining Manufacturing to Reopen
- In-Person Religious Institutions Remain Closed
- Personal Services Remain Closed
- Residents Should Continue to Stay Home
Small Business Grants For Baltimore County Businesses:
Applications Are Still Being Accepted- But Hurry
To support Baltimore County’s small businesses, Olszewski announced the County has allocated $10 million in new grant funding for the Baltimore County COVID-19 Small Business Relief Grants Program.
The Department of Economic and Workforce Development (DEWD) will administer the Baltimore County COVID-19 Small Business Relief Grants Program, which will award grants of up to $15,000 each to more than 650 Baltimore County-based small businesses on a first-come, first-served basis.
The County has set a goal to award at least 25 percent of grant funding to women and minority-owned businesses.
To qualify for this grant program, small businesses must retain at least half of the workforce they had prior to January 31, 2020, which must have included at least two non-owner employees prior to Maryland’s Stay-at-Home Order. They must also:
- have at least two employees who are not owners or part-owners,
- have no more than 25 employees per Baltimore County establishment,
- demonstrate that they have lost at least 40 percent of their revenues since the Stay-at-Home Order began,
- have been in operation for at least one year as of January 1, 2020, and commenced operations by December 31, 2018 or earlier, and
- certify that they have not received other forms of federal or state COVID-19 assistance or relief at the time of application, and
- be in good standing and not in default with the State of Maryland and Baltimore County.
Grant funds may only be used for payroll, operating expenses, business lease or rent, and inventory acquisition vital to the business, with at least 30 percent of the funds used to support payroll for non-owners.
MEMBER OFFERS AND AVAILABILITY DURING THIS CRISIS
Please keep supporting our Member restaurants during this health crisis. Every purchase makes such a difference to their employees.
#Takeout Tuesday is Still “a Thing”
Support Local Restaurants
Northwest Chamber Events
ALL NORTHWEST CHAMBER EVENTS ARE VIRTUAL AT THIS TIME
Facebook-Live Friday
10:00 am-10:15am
Chamber/Member Updates & Q&A
Join us this Friday on Facebook. Listen to Chamber and Member news
as well as ask questions directly to our leadership.
Follow our page HERE to be reminded and tune in!
THIS WEEK!
Virtual Networking Meeting
May 20th
12:00pm-12:45pm
Your Computer or Phone
Join the Northwest Chamber members and guests during our bi-weekly
virtual networking events!
In order the keep the meeting manageable, there is a limit on registrations.
Therefore, to save your spot, you MUST register on our website to receive your meeting link.
Webinar:
Embezzlement Happens in Small Businesses
Wednesday May 27th
12pm-12:30pm
Your Computer or Phone
Now more than ever, business owners must watch their bottom-lines closely. You want to trust your employees and business advisors; however, these same people may be stealing from your business right from under your nose.
Robert W. Carter, Partner, Litigation, Forensics, & Business Valuation Department of Hertzbach & Company, P.A. , will be our guest speaker. He will demonstrate how any business, no matter their size, can be a target for embezzlement. His real-life examples will surprise you!
This FREE webinar may save you THOUSANDS of dollars!
You MUST register to join us.
Virtual Networking Meeting
June 3rd
12pm-12:45pm
Your Computer or Phone
Join the Northwest Chamber members and guests during our bi-weekly
virtual networking events!
In order the keep the meeting manageable, there is a limit on registrations.
Therefore, to save your spot, you MUST register on our website to receive your meeting link.
Looking forward to this networking time with our members!
SAVE THE DATE
OCT 3RD
NEW DATE FOR THE REISTERSTOWN
CRAFT BEER & WINE FESTIVAL!
The 2nd Annual Craft Beer & Wine Festival has been rescheduled for October 3rd, 2020.
We will all be ready for a day of sun (hopefully) and fun then!
For more information, CLICK HERE
To Sponsor this event for as little as $250, email Kathleen Dorsey HERE.
Member Events & News
REMINDER: Members, send us your news, promotions and job listings. We are happy to spread the word for you!
The Baltimore Business Journal will be moving forward with its Business Expo on November 6th and they are currently taking exhibit table reservations—they only ask that you give them a commitment at this time and pay in installments over the next 3 months.
Click Below to learn bout vendor table and sponsorship opportunities for this event.
Our non-profit member, Student Support Network, feeds hungry students and provides essentials for them and their families.
They distribute food on Fridays to help students/families over the weekend at Owings Mills High School.
Click the button below to learn what is needed as well as how you can help by donating.
You can donate monetarily HERE.
You can designate that your donation is to be used for Owings Mills.
The Crohn’s & Colitis Foundation is currently hosting an online challenge similar to the Ice Bucket challenge called the 2020TPChallenge.
During this challenge, they are asking people to stack 20 rolls of toilet paper, take a picture to post on social media, challenge or tag 5 friends, and donate $20.00
Our Non-Profit Members need your support now more then ever!
Have some fun.. join in and help our member during this tough time.
Legislative Updates
To help support local restaurants and essential small businesses during these challenging times, my office is spotlighting at least one 2nd District establishment every day. Today, we are featuring Jose Tequila’s – Owings Mills. (A Northwest Chamber Member!)
Located at 10500 Owings Mills Blvd. in Owings Mills, Jose Tequila’s cooks up street tacos filled with mahi-mahi, made-to-order guacamole, enchiladas, quesadillas, “go-light” options such as margarita-grilled chicken and more.
Hours are 11:30 a.m. to 9:30 p.m. Sunday, 11 a.m. to 10 p.m. Monday through Thursday, 11 a.m. to 11 p.m. Friday and 11:30 a.m. to 10:30 p.m. Saturday. Jose Tequila’s is open for carryout and curbside pickup. Online orders can also be placed on Grubhub, UberEATS and more.
For more information about Jose Tequila’s, please call 410-998-9223 or visit the restaurant’s website here: http://jose-tequilas.com/
If your restaurant or essential small business is offering services, please email me at council2@baltimorecountymd.gov or add your information in the comments section of this post.
Vote in the June 2 Presidential Primary Election. This year’s Maryland primary election is vote-by-mail with limited in-person options. Registered voters who have not already received a ballot should receive one in the mail by next week. Once you receive your ballot, it must be postmarked or dropped off by June 2. For questions about your ballot, please visit the Maryland State Board of Elections website or email absentee.sbe@maryland.gov.
Voters who prefer to drop off their ballots can do so at designated ballot drop off locations (LINK) from – Thursday, May 21, 2020 through Tuesday, June 2, 2020.
- If you are unable to vote by mail, you may vote in-person on election day, June 2, 2020, at a vote center in the jurisdiction where you live (LINK).
Community Events
Members Hiring
Advertising and Marketing Opportunities with the Northwest Chamber of Commerce:
Please email:
kathleen@northwestchambermd.com
