|
The Mission of the Kent County Chamber of Commerce is to serve, represent and be the leading advocate for the business interests of its membership in ways that enhance the environment of the business community and quality of life and well being of residents and visitors. | |
|
|
|
|
|
Greetings!
Welcome 2010! This promises to be an exciting year at the Chamber. Check out our updated calendar of events for 2010 and plan to join us at the many networking, education and legislative events we have planned.
On tap this month are Business Day in Annapolis on January 15 and our Excellence in Business Awards event on January 29. Business Day in Annapolis is hosted by the MD Chamber and offers business leaders around the state a chance to make their voices and issues heard to our legislators. Our annual Excellence in Business Awards will be held at Washington College's Gibson Center for the Arts. This event celebrates all our businesses that have survived a difficult 2009, and spotlights a few that have made outstanding contributions to their industries and community. Look for details on this event later in the Newsletter.
This month the Chamber also runs a new member drive. We encourage all of you to talk to your business neighbors about the benefits of being a Chamber member and encourage them to join us to make their voice heard in the County and the State.
The Chamber extends a fond farwell to Jack Steinmetz and Augustine Cook who will be leaving their jobs when Kent County closes the Economic Development Office at the end of January. We wish them well and thank them for their service to local businesses.
Here's wishing you a healthy and prosperous new year!
Cindy Genther
|
|
Chamber Committee Updates
Agriculture Committee announces that Chamber member and Kent County resident Pat Langenfelder has been named President of the Maryland Farm Bureau. Congratulations Pat!
Legislative Committee will attend Business Day in Annapolis on January 15 and reminds you that the 2010 legislative session begins January 13. Be sure to check out the Maryland Chamber Action Network for regular updates on key legislation during the session.
Membership and Marketing Committee's New Member Drive starts in January. Give us a call for new member brochures to distribute at your business.
Education Committee announces that the Chamber will again offer a scholarship to a graduating high school senior this May. Criteria and applications are available from the Chamber office or the KCHS guidance office. Members of our Education Committee sit on KCPS STEM Steering Committee, PTAs and volunteer with the Character Counts program. We also help sponsor and promote the Washington College Career Fair in March and sit on the Washington College Students in Free Enterprise (SIFE) Advisory Board.
Green Committee is a new group within the Chamber whose mission will be to help Chamber businesses recognize the economic and environmental importance of improving energy efficiency. People interested in joining this committee should contact Jon Hanley at: 410-708-8951.
The next meeting of the Kent County Chamber of Commerce Board of Directors is scheduled for January 14, 2010, at 12:00 noon at the Chamber Office at 122 N. Cross St. The meeting is open to all members.
|
Member News Bytes
Chester River Health System announces that president and CEO Jeffrey L. Johnson will be leaving to join University of MD Medical System as VP of Corporate Planning. James E. Ross, FACHE, will succeed Jeffrey Johnson as president of CRHS.
Centreville National Bank of Maryland has received approval from the State of Maryland and the Federal Reserve to become a state chartered bank. The changes in charter requires the bank to change its name and become CNB.
Upper Shore Regional Council launched shoreVines, a marketing campaign to provide infromation and guidance to farmers and landowners interested in establishing vineyards. The campaign, produced by Chamber member, Loblolly Productions, includes a series of 60 second broadcast video ads telegraphing the key reasons to grow grapes and prompting viewers to visit www.shoreVines.com for more information.
Delmarva Town Crier has developed and expanded into an online magazine format. New articles are published on Wednesdays and look for PSAs to announce what's happening around the Delmarva Peninsula. Check it out at www.DelmarvaTownCrier.com
Astrachan Gunst Thomas P.C. announces that Jim Astrachan is a qualified mediator for non-marital disputes and is approved by Kent & Queen Anne's County Courts.
WCTR's Home Grown & Green show will be hosted by Chamber member, Andy Goddard of Green Irene while Marilyn Klompus is away this winter. Check out the popular show Fridays at 11:30am on am1530.
Affinity Business & Technology Solutions now offers marketing and consulting services includine line placement and search engine optimization, local lead lists, domain registration and marketing campaign implementation and management.
Willow Construction, received two Excellence in Construction Awards from the Associated Builders and Contractors Chesapeake Shores Chapter for St. Christopher's Church in Chester, MD and for the Nassua Grove Clubhouse projectin Lewes, DE.
Delmarva Power's parent Pepco has awarded Lockheed Martin a contract to run four energy efficiency and conservation programs for the utility's non-residential customers in Maryland. The programs are part of Delmarva Power's Blueprint for the Future, a plan to help meet the nation's energy and environmental challenges through energy efficiency and environmentally green technologies. Visit: www.delmarva.com/business
Shore Health System announces Deborah L. Blood, RD, LDN, CDE, has joined the Joslin Diabetes Center Affiliate at Shore Health System as a certified diabetes educator and wellness coach.
SMARTDRIVE thanks these Kent Chamber businesses for their sponsorship: JBK True Value Hardware, Dixon Valve & Coupling, PNC Bank, and WCTR Radio.
Chester River Hospital Center announces new Specialty Clinic including new plastic surgery services for skin cancer treatments, breast reconstruction services, non-healing wound treatments and elective and cosmetic procedures. Call 410-778-7662 for more info.
Echo Hill Outdoor School is now accepting boat and car donations to support the school and the 5500 students who visit annually. Call Peter Rice at 410-348-5800 for details.
Maryland Energy Administration launched the Mid-Sized Solar Energy Grant Program providing incentives for businesses to install appropriately sized solar photvoltaic and solar hot water systems on their premises. Details at: www.energy.state.md.us/incentives/business/MidSizedSolarGrants.asp
MD Dept. of Labor Licensing & Regulation's Unemployment Insurance Division announced that for calendar year 2010 Table F will be in effect and that the cost per employee will be $187 to $1147.50 per year. For 2009 the cost was $51 to $765 per employee. Governor O'Malley is looking for federal economic stimulus funds to help businesses in 2011.
Do you have news you'd like to share with Chamber members? Send it to Cindy and we'll include it in our next issue.
|
|
Welcome New Members!
Comcast Spotlight
Timothy Hughes
115 Pullman Crossing, Suite 103
Grasonville, MD 21638
443-837-3580
Comcast Spotlight is a stand-alone division of Comcast. They handle sales for all cable networks/stations in Maryland. They are your contact if you wish to advertise in local or national markets.
Green Irene - Eco Consultant
Andy Goddard
212 W. Campus Avenue
Chestertown, MD 21620
410-778-6929
Andy's next life is with Green Irene as an "Eco-Consultant". Andy specializes in "green" makeovers for homes and offices. She offers workshops and has many money and energy saving tips and "Green" products..
Starkey Mechanical
Mike Starkey
325 Cypress Street
Millington, MD 21651
410-928-5900 / 410-928-3866 (fax)
Starkey Mechanical installs and services residential heating and cooling equipment in and around Kent and Queen Anne's Counties.
|
Chamber News & Events Calendar
Congratulations to our new and returning Directors who will serve three year terms (2010-2013) on the Chamber's Board:
Diane Brandt, Manager of the Washington Square Branch of CNB.
Jon Hanley owner of Hanleyman Services LLC, a professional handyman service.
Katie Warrington with Horizon Organic Dairy in Kennedyville.
Brad Wilson is Manager for Great Oak Landing in Fairlee.
CHAMBER SUPPORTS...
At the request of a few Chamber members and with a favorable vote of the Board of Directors, the Chamber recommended to the Kent County Commissioners changing the term of new Kent County School Board members from six to four years. Kent is the only county in the state with six year terms for its School Board members. If the School Board agrees, the Commissioners will make this recommendation to 36th district delegates for legislation to be introduced during the 2010 session.
At the request of a Chamber member and with a favorable vote by the Board, the Chamber agreed to support of the Foreign Affairs Training Center facility in Queen Anne's County. Kent County businesses could benefit from increased business travel and potential new residents.
LEGISLATIVE NEWS
Check out the the Chamber Action Network website for regular updates about legislative issues that impact your bottomline: www.chamberactionnetwork.com
Frank Kratovil supported the Tax Extenders Act of 2009, passed by the House of Representatives that extends the R&D tax credit for nearly 11,000 businesses, provides up to 30 million homeowners with property tax relief, and provides a college tuition deduction for 4.5 million families.
UPCOMING CHAMBER EVENTS
Jan. 14, Board of Directors Meeting, noon at the Chamber office.
Jan. 15, Business Day in Annapolis at the Governor Calvert House. Starting at 8:00am, the event features a Leadership Briefing by the Presiding Officers and Minority Leaders followed by visits with legislators to discuss issues. Event ends early afternoon. Tickets are $65 until Dec. 15, $75 thereafter. Please contact Cindy to register.
Jan. 29, Excellence in Business Awards at Gibson Arts Center at Washington College. This year the Chamber recognizes those businesses that have thrived in a down economy. Find out who they are and the secrets of their success. Friday, January 29, 5:45-9:00pm. Tickets are $45 each, and include heavy hors d'oeuvres, beer, wine and soft drinks.
Feb. 16, Winter Mixer at The Investor's Friend, Dogwood Plaza in Galena. This is a joint Mixer with the Sassafras River Business Council. Don't miss this great networking opportunity.
RSVP for any of these events to Cindy at 410-810-2968 or kentchamber@verizon.net or on our website!
We still have a few opening for businesses to host mixers in 2010. Our mixers draw more than 50 people to your business location. Call Cindy if you're interested in hosting a mixer.
|
| Member Events
Jan. 14, 8-10am Heron Point's New Year's Breakfast. Learn about what's new at Heron Point. Call 410-778-8314 or email phmarket@pumh.org for details.
Jan. 19, 5:30-7:00pm Chester River Yacht & Country Club hosts a Rotary Meet & Greet. Contact Beverly Birkmire at bevnedjr@verizon.net
Feb. 5, 4:00-6:00pm History Happy Hour at the Geddes-Piper House features Looking Back: the Kent County Seafood Industry with Ron Fithian.
| |
|
|
|
