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Save the Date
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Saturday, August 22, 2015
10 AM - 12:30 PM
The Village at Waugh Chapel
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2015 Signature Events
Tour & Taste West County
Thursday, November 5th
Maryland Live! Casino
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CHAMBER COMMITTEES
Diversity
Economic Development
Legislative
Marketing
Membership Growth
Ambassador's Club
Networking Mixer
Military Affairs
Signature Events
Small Business Council
Wellness
JOIN a committee that interests you-most meet once a month for an hour. Not only will you be contributing to your community, but you'll be meeting other Chamber members who can refer your business!
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2015 Board of Directors
Chairman
Randy Fisher
The Fisher Law Office
1st Vice Chair
Alexis Davis
Oasis Consignments
2nd Vice Chair
Michael Thibault
Treasurer
Ellen Miller
Stonebridge Carras, LLC
Past Chairman
Claire Louder
President & CEO
West County Chamber
Pete Albert Photography
Kathleen Beauman
Anne Arundel Community College
Mary Bello
Anne Arundel Medical Center
Lisa Ennis
Eccentrics The Spa Sanctuary
Melanie Graw
Coldwell Banker Residential Brokerage - Crofton
Carmen Gonzales
Maryland Live! Casino
Elm Street Development
Kristi Korwek
Stone Circles Associates
Dave Wheeler
The Columbia Bank
Ex Officio Member:
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Chamber Staff:
President & CEO
Claire Louder
Operations Manager
Kim Wirt
Receptionist/Administrative Support
Marnea Shamblen
Membership Director
Eileen Nonemaker, Paradigm Associates Maryland
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We are into our last week of revisions to the Odenton Master Plan before we present our recommendations, and they are a key component to the success of the long-awaited Odenton Town Center (see West County Chamber in Action below). I just wanted to take this opportunity to apologize if I don't get back to you right away - this is a major, time-limited effort that is taking time away from some of the ordinary business of the Chamber. Please be patient, and if you need something urgently be sure to contact Kim or Marnea - they'll either help you or flag it to my attention. Thanks!
If you weren't able to attend the public meeting regarding the Master Plan, and have specific questions, please send me an email and I'll try to turn it around quickly.
Claire
Claire Louder
President & CEO
West County Chamber
Did you know that the chamber has a LinkedIn page?
Find us and Follow us!
www.westcountychamber.org Follow Us!   
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Coming up at the Chamber:
Week of August 10
Monday, August 10
- Odenton Town Center Master Plan Review Task Force, 10 AM, Conference Room
- Small Business Council Awards Committee, 8:30 AM, Conference Room
- Marketing Committee, 10 AM, Conference Room
- West County Mixer, 5 PM, Prince George's Stadium - home of the Bowie Baysox
- Odenton Town Center Master Plan Review Task Force, 10 AM, Conference Room
- Military Affairs Committee, 9 AM , Conference Room
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West County Chamber in Action
Odenton Town Center Master Plan
At Wednesday night's public meeting regarding the Odenton Town Center Master Plan, President & CEO Claire Louder made the following statement on behalf of the Chamber: "So much of what needs to be addressed (with this Master Plan) stems from the fallacy that a 1200-acre Growth Management Area is a "Town Center." As originally conceived, only the now Core was the Town Center, but theoretical planners unfamiliar with conditions in Odenton expanded the boundaries.
Many of the requirements being imposed outside the Core are inappropriate to those zones, especially East Odenton, North Odenton, and the Industrial Zone. These include road requirements, mixed use throughout the Town Center, building setbacks close to the road, and signage requirements. The West County Chamber has been working with the local development community to identify the many issues which delay implementation of the Odenton Master Plan, and will be p resenting those later this month. Meanwhile, we encourage everyone in (the community) to pay particular attention to the removal of the option to develop based on the 2000 underlying zoning, the lack of grandfathering provisions, and the imposition of Master Plan requirements with even the slightest adjustment, as little as 20%, to your property.' The original purpose of this Master Plan was to encourage growth and expedite development, but its dysfunction has created the exact opposite conditions. It now takes longer to develop in Odenton than anywhere else in Anne Arundel County. It's time to get this plan RIGHT before we lose another ten years - we've already waited fifty." The turnout at the meeting was excellent, but we know there are many who still don't realize the impact of the Master Plan's revisions. This is an instance where being informed can literally save your business - don't stay in the dark! You can access the draft Master Plan at Odenton Town Center Master Planor pick up a copy for $23 at the Anne Arundel Office of Planning and Zoning, 2664 Riva Road, Annapolis. There are also copies on file at the Odenton Regional Library (the Chamber's copy is currently on loan).
If you want to share your own thoughts regarding the Master Plan, you can send your comments to
otcmasterplanupdate@aacounty.org
Deadline to submit comments is August 24, 2015.
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Odenton Town Center Master Plan Review Task Force
The 2015 Draft of the Odenton Town Center Master Plan was released at the end of June. Those wishing to review it can download the document at Odenton Master Plan. Comments must be submitted by August 24th, preferably by email. The Chamber's Master Plan Review Task Force has set four dates to review the Odenton Town Master Plan. Input is welcome. All meetings will be held in the Chamber Conference room. The last two meetings will be: August 10 - 10 AM - 12:30 PM Chapter 5 An extra session has been scheduled for August 12 - 10 AM- 12:30 PM The Task Force is reviewing from a development perspective. If there is interest from the local business community in specifically discussing the impact on businesses in the area (signage, renovations, landscaping, etc.), we'd be happy to convene a separate meeting just to address that. RSVP to Kim ( admin@westcountychamber.org) if you are interested in helping. |
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West County Mixer at Bowie Baysox
Tuesday, August 11, 5 PM
 Join us for an evening of networking and baseball on Tuesday, August 11th at the Bowie Baysox. We will start our mixer at 5 PM and you will recieve early entrance to the stadium. Our networking mixer will take place in one of the suites - rain or shine! Come for the networking - Stay for the game and cheer on the Baysox! Game time is 7:05 PM.
Chamber members are free; non-chamber members are $15/person. Bring additional family members for $15/person and they can join us in the suite for the event. On game day, you will check-in at the Chamber's table just outside the entrance gate to Prince George's stadium to receive your ticket and your wristband for entrance to the suite. See you at the ballpark! REGISTER NOW!
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Women Mean Business Lunch 
Wednesday, August 19th
11:30 a.m. - 1 p.m.
The West County Chamber's new Women Mean Business group will hold its next meeting on Wednesday, August 19th at George Martin's Grillfire at Arundel Preserve .
Cost to attend is $20 for Chamber members in advance, $25 non-members and at the door, and reservations can be made online or by calling 410-672-3422.
Can't make this session but want to make sure you hear about the next one? Email reception@westcountychamber.org and ask to be added to the mailing list!
If you haven't done so already, we encourage you to respond to our Women Mean Business Survey - it will only take a few minutes of your time, and helps us plan the programs YOU want to attend!
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Back to School Fair (Arundel Feeder) Saturday, August 22nd 10 AM to 12:30 PM
Chamber businesses and local schools will join together again on Saturday, August 22nd for the West County Chamber's annual Back to School Fair. This year we are expanding to include a health and wellness fair, and tenants throughout The Village at Waugh Chapel will also be participating. Attendance is free, but cost for businesses wishing to exhibit is $100/chamber members, $150 for non-members, and includes a table and two chairs. Space is limited, so reserve now by calling 410-672-32422, or online at www.westcountychamber.org.
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Join us for a Luau on Wednesday, September 2nd at The Hideaway.
Tickets are available online!
Cost:
$35 ages 12 & over
$17 ages 5 - 11
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 Experience West County Silent Auction
Thursday, October 1st
6 PM to 9 PM
Mark your calendars now for the West County Chamber's West County Experience Silent Auction, coming up on Thursday, October 1st from 6 p.m. to 9 p.m. Details still to come, but we encourage the donation of auction items. We are particularly interested in unique experiences in Maryland (hence the theme). Items donated to date include a wine tasting for 10 at Wine Cellars of Annapolis, six-course dinner for two and a night's stay at Antrim 1844 in Taneytown, wine paired dinner for 6 at the home of Claire and Dave Louder, An Evening at Maryland Live! Casino, and lunch with County Executive Steve Schuh. Many more items still in the works - let us know if you have something to offer! |
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Chamber Conference Room Available for Rent
The West County Chamber, thanks to a generous sponsorship from The Bank of Glen Burnie, has opened a new 20-seat conference room in space separated from its primary office. The conference room, which is equipped with an extended conference table, rolling conference chairs, a whiteboard, projector, and coffee and water service, is available for rental by reservation by the hour or the half day - cost is $50/hour for members, discounted rates available for non-profits. For more information, contact Marnea at the Chamber office, 410-672-3422 or email reception@westcountychamber.org.
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