SPONSOR Just a few sponsorship opportunities left! Promote your company with a Hole Sponsorship that puts your logo at one of the 18 tee boxes.

DONATE The Chamber is seeking raffle prize donations. Donor company logos are featured for all golfers and volunteers to see as they check-in, as well as on display throughout the awards reception.

PLAY Only a few foursomes left! Gather your team and sign up as a Gold or Silver Sponsor, which includes foursomes and company recognition, or simply sign up as a foursome.
Networking Luncheon at The 4 Corners Pub

Join GSSCC to Connect @ Lunch, from noon to 1:30 p.m. this Wednesday, April 20. This event is hosted by The 4 Corners Pub (10111 Sutherland Road) and sponsored by TransCen. This members-only networking event is just $25 and includes an appetizer, choice of entree, and a soft drink. Spaces are limited, so register now.
Silver Spring Town Center Hosts After-Hours

Join GSSCC for the April Business-After-Hours from 5:30 p.m. to 7:00 p.m. next Wednesday, April 27, hosted by Silver Spring Town Center, Inc. in the Civic Building (One Veterans Plaza). Mix and mingle, enjoy complimentary appetizers and drinks, and make great connections. This event is FREE for members and first-time attendees. Register now!
GSSCC101 New Member Orientation Breakfast

Mark your calendars! Whether you are a new GSSCC member or a new employee of a long-time member, this FREE breakfast can help put your Chamber membership to work for you! Join us from 8 a.m. to 10 a.m. on Wednesday, May 4, at Eggspectation (923 Ellsworth Drive). Register now!
Maryland General Assembly Highlights
 
The Maryland General Assembly adjourned Sine Die at midnight last Monday. Throughout this legislative session, which began on January 13, GSSCC reviewed the 2,832 pieces of legislation introduced this year and tracked those that would have a direct effect on many of our member businesses. Below are highlights of a few of the business-related and other issues considered this session.
  • Legislation introduced by Delegate David Fraser Hidalgo passed both Chambers and will reduce the interest rate on State tax deficiencies and refunds from 13% in 2016 and then 12% in 2017, 11.5% in 2018, 11% in 2019, 10.5% in 2020, 10% in 2012, 9.5% in 2022, and 9% in 2023.
  • Maryland's equal pay law was expanded to cover gender identity and prohibit businesses from retaliating against employees who discuss or disclose salaries. 
  • The Maryland Secure Choice Retirement Savings and Trust will require all employers, that use an automatic payroll system and do not have an employer-sponsored retirement plan, to participate in a state-run program for private sector employees. Companies that participate in the program or have an employer-sponsored retirement plan will receive a waiver for their $300 business filing fee. Note: Implementation, scheduled for July 1, 2016, is pending a legal opinion from the federal government that the plan qualifies for favorable federal income tax treatment under the Internal Revenue Code.
  • A task force will be established to study whether or not the State should create an employee-funded insurance fund for family and medical leave.
  • A bill mandating "predictive scheduling" failed. It would have required employers to post employee's initial work schedules at least 21 days before the first day the employee was scheduled to work, and pay the employee "predictability pay" if changes were made within 24 hours of the first day.
  • A bill mandating paid sick leave for all Maryland employees did not survive. GSSCC sought amendments that would make sure any state bill would pre-empt local jurisdictions from implementing different requirements. Note: Montgomery County has already passed its own version of this bill, which takes effect this year.
  • A bill that would have required all restaurants seating 50 or more customers to have automated external defibrillators failed in the House.
Ribbon Cuttings and Anniversaries...


Self Storage Plus Opens Parking/Storage Lot for Commercial and Personal Vehicles

Congratulations to All Set Restaurant & Bar on its One-Year Anniversary!
Networking Breakfast at Eggspectation, Hosted by Team Logic IT




 
* Montgomery Community Media plans its 4th annual, "A Day in the Life of Montgomery County," set for this Friday, April 22. MCM invites local shutterbugs, professional and amateur photographers to help capture a day in Montgomery County. Email or tweet  images and videos @mymcmedia using #ditl.

* Join WorkSource Montgomery for the 1st Montgomery County "Expungement & Shielding Clinic" from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. on Saturday, April 23, at the Silver Spring Civic Building. Learn what criminal charges are eligible for expungement or shielding and get help filling out court forms. This event is first come, first served.

* Join Montgomery Housing Partnership from 12 p.m. to 1 p.m. on Friday, April 29, for a Lunch and Learn event, hosted by Lerch, Early and Brewer (3 Bethesda Metro, Suite 460). Learn how MHP is helping low-and-moderate income families in Montgomery County with preschool and after-school programs, providing educational programs for residents, and implementing neighborhood revitalization and more. Click here for more information and click here RSVP.

* Join the YMCA Youth & Family Services for Healthy Kids Day 2016 from 10 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. on Saturday, April 30, at Broad Acres Elementary School. Enjoy outside and biking activities, health and safety information, food, STEM activities, and family fun.

* Join Silver Spring Town Center Inc. for "Spring Wine Tasting at Adega" from 2 p.m. to 4 p.m. on Wednesday, May 11, at Adega Wine Cellars & Cafe. The price is $20 which includes wine tastings and pairings. Space is limited, so RSVP here or call 301-503-7401.

* Congratulations to Arden Courts of Silver Spring for receiving a deficiency-free state survey for the second year in a row.

* The Urban Winery is looking for a few "wine lovers" to volunteer to pour at numerous wine festivals this season, from April to October. Perks include: free admission to the festivals, an Urban Winery t-shirt to keep, and an education on the wines directly from the owners and winemakers. Click here if you are interested.

See your company's news here! GSSCC would be pleased to highlight news from our member companies in this section of the weekly e-news. Simply send us your information before close of business each Friday.     
Thefts from Vehicles Down 52.8% in Silver Spring CBD; Hide Your Valuables
 
Following a concerted effort over the past three months by police and other security personnel, thefts from vehicles in Silver Spring's central business district have been cut in half. The initiative included public education and enforcement efforts by officers in the Montgomery County Police in the 3rd District, the Silver Spring Urban District Red Shirts, Montgomery County's parking enforcement teams, and the businesses involved in the Chamber's Silver Spring security team. Messages were communicated on flyers, postcards, social media, and even the Ellsworth Place Jumbotron. In addition, police and Red Shirts on patrol arranged for postcards to be sent to the owners of any vehicle they spotted with valuables in plain sight. The good news: the incidence of thefts from unlocked vehicles was almost eliminated because parkers in Silver Spring are locking their cars. However, thefts of "valuables in sight" inside locked vehicles continue. Efforts will continue to educate those who live, work, shop, dine and play in Silver Spring on the importance of keeping all valuables - laptops, purses, GPS, mobile phones, wallets, bags, and coins - removed from vehicles, or at least out of sight.
Sidewalk to be Closed at Georgia and Blair Mill

Beginning today, Monday, April 18, the sidewalk at 8070 Georgia Avenue will be closed from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. each business day while equipment is brought in to do repairs on the building. The sidewalk will remain closed until the work has been completed. Questions should be directed to Kim Robinson at 301-337-4744 or krobinson@scheerpartners.com.

Upcoming GSSCC Committee Meetings

* Economic Development Committee Meeting - 9 a.m. on Thursday, April 21.  Mike Madden, Maryland Department of Transportation, will outline the most recent alignment and plans for The Purple Line, recently approved by Governor Hogan.

* Government Affairs Committee - Postponed until next month after the General Assembly session and hearings on the County Executive's proposed FY17 budget.

* Membership Development Committee - 9 a.m. on Tuesday, April 26

About GSSCC Committee/Team Meetings: All GSSCC members are welcome to participate in Chamber committees. Members are welcome to attend committee meetings to assess interest in joining a committee. Meetings are typically held in the GSSCC Conference Room. Advance RSVP is required and priority will be given to existing committee members when speakers are scheduled.
 Thank you to our 2015-2016 GSSCC Partners
 
Corporate Partners - Downtown Silver Spring; Lee Development Group; Montgomery College; Statland & Katz Insurance, Inc.; Washington Adventist Hospital


 Business Partners - AFI Silver Theatre; Apex Home Loans; Bud Miller Associates, Inc.; Digital Industry; Discovery Communications; EagleBank; The Fillmore Silver Spring; Holy Cross Hospital; Lerch, Early & Brewer, Chtd.; Linowes & Blocher LLP; M&T Bank; The Tower Companies (The Blairs); United Therapeutics Corp.; Washington Property Company.


 Partners - Adam S. Lowe Photography; Atlantech Online; EBA Ernest Bland Associates; Elite Personnel; My Office Products; Signs By Tomorrow;
Social & Scientific Systems.


 Friends- Harvey Maisel/Maisel Hollins Development 
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