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West County Chamber Working for You
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Have you looked down Berger Street when you're driving along MD175 in Odenton? Berger Square has taken shape! This is another long-delayed project, underway for over 9 years, and it's great to see it coming to fruition!
FORT MEADE ACCESS FOR BUSINESSES
We have been working with Fort Meade for a number of years to achieve expedited access for businesses, and we've finally succeeded! Effective immediately, businesses who have personnel with a reason to go on post regularly, including delivery drivers, service repairmen, and others, can apply for a 1-year badge that gets them through the gates. It is non-transferable, so you may want to select multiple drivers to get cleared. Process will be available soon, but basically the business will sponsor whomever they want to have access the gate, and that person will undergo a background check (it's thorough - if you have a criminal violation somewhere in your past you will probably be denied) and as long as it comes back clean they will be issued a pass.
This is even more important than in the past, because as of April 4th unbadged personnel will have to apply for a daily visitor pass at the Visitor Control Center (VCC) in order to gain access to Fort Meade (see story below). When the VCC is closed, including all weekends, unbadged personnel will have to be met at the gate by whomever they are visiting and escorted on post.
By getting your personnel badged, you not only expedite your time through the gate, which benefits your business, but you also reduce the lines at the VCC and increase Fort Meade security, both of which help our largest employer. So please take advantage of this program!
MAPES GATE IS OPEN FOR BUSINESS
After nearly three years, Fort Meade has finally reopened the Mapes Gate into the Odenton Town Center as a regular entrance. While it is DoD badged personnel only, which doesn't help visitors, it's location makes it much easier for Fort Meade personnel to access YOUR Odenton business. The West County Chamber has been working with Fort Meade to accomplish this, emphasizing the impact the gate closing has had on local businesses. Just one more instance of the West County Chamber working for you!
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NEW INSTALLATION ACCESS PROCEDURES
APRIL 4, 2016
Beginning April 4, 2016, new procedures for accessing Fort Meade will go into effect to align with U.S. Army standards across military posts worldwide.
Please be patient as Fort Meade implements these measures to ensure the safety and security of all who live and work on post.
Individuals without DoD-issued ID cards must obtain a Fort Meade Access pass from the Visitor Control Center (VCC), 902 Reece Road. Frequent visitors are encouraged to pre-register for a long-term Fort Meade Access pass at the VCC.
Beginning April 4, VCC Hours are 7:30 a.m. to 9 p.m. Monday-Friday. They are closed on weekends. For Fort Meade Access pass questions, call the VCC at (301) 677-1064 or 1065.
For more information, visit www.ftmeade.army.mil.
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Odenton Town Center Master Plan Release
The final draft of the revised Odenton Town Center Master Plan has been released by Planning & Zoning! You can download the document from HERE.
The County Council will addressing the Master Plan at their meeting on Monday, April 4th.
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This Week at the West County Chamber
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Monday, March 21
- Golf Committee, 9 AM, Conference Room
Wednesday, March 23
- Women Mean Business Luncheon, 11:30 AM, TownePlace Suites - BWI Airport
Monday, March 24
- Networking Mixer Committee, 10 AM, Conference Room
Friday, March 25
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Upcoming Happenings in West County
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Women Mean Business
Wednesday, March 23
11:30 AM
TownePlace Suites BWI, Linthicum
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Please join us for our next meeting on March 23rd, 11:30 AM at The TownePlace Suites in Linthicum for a valuable workshop on:
Simple Personal Safety Tips & Self-Defense Tactics To Reduce The Risk of Becoming a Victim of Crime
Speaker Corporal Jim Shilou from Anne Arundel County Police Community Relations, gives a presentation on what to do in case of an Active Shooter Event. Learn tips on how to handle such an occurrence and Self Defense tips. You won't want to miss this presentation!
Tickets are $20 for members, $25 for non-members. Please RSVP in advance so that we can order lunch for all attendees.
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Advanced Persistent Risk
"Facing the Reality of a Connected World"
Tuesday, March 29, 9:30 AM,Conference Room
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Do you believe that cybercrime is one of the top 3 threats to businesses today? Have you thought about the implications of a breach of security? We've enlisted the expertise of Bill Webb of SilverRhino, LLC to discuss cybercrime and help you discover the right balance of risk and return on investment for your business. You won't want to miss this very important one hour seminar - get all of your questions answered. Join us on Tuesday, March 29th at 9:30 AM in the Chamber's conference room.
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West County Mixer
Tuesday, April 12
5:30 PM
615 at Odenton Gateway, 615 Carlton Otto Way, Odenton
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Join us for our April Mixer at the 615 at Odenton Gateway in the clubhouse, 615 Carlton Otto Lane in Odenton and help us welcome spring!
Cost for members - free!
Cost for non-members - $10
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Congratulations to our nominees and winners of the 2016 Spirit of Community Awards. - Police Officer of the Year-Detective Jeff Golas, Anne Arundel County Police Department
- Sheriff's Deputy of the Year- Deputy Young Hur, Anne Arundel County Sheriff's Department
- Military Member of the Year- SSG David Harrison, 2nd Military Working Dog Detachment, Fort George G. Meade
- Elementary Educator of the Year- Patrick Alexander, Piney Orchard Elementary
- Middle School Educator of the Year- Kathleen Soares, Crofton Middle School
- High School Educator of the Year- Jenny Madden, Arundel High School
- Administrative Support Staff of the Year- Lisbeth Sorensen, South Shore Elementary and Sandi Taylor, The Summit School
- Administrator of the Year- Heidi Trammell, Odenton Elementary
The following individuals were also nominated: Elementary Educator of the Year
- John Birus, Ridgeway Elementary
- Theresa Chandler, Van Bokkelen Elementary
- Tammy Lang, Severn Elementary
- Jaime Mierzwa, Monarch Global Academy
- Emily Minnigerode, Millersville Elementary
- Michelle Shaffer, Pershing Hill Elementary
- Ian Walsh, The Summit School
Middle School Educator of the Year
- Philip Casolo, Old Mill Middle School North
- Zachary Jones, Arundel Middle School
- Patricia Moran, Old Mill Middle School South
Administrative Support Staff of the Year
- Margaret Bryant, Old Mill Middle School South
- Diane Hall, Meade Middle School
- Susan Polacheck, Crofton Middle School
- Lisa Siebert, Van Bokkelen Elementary
Administrator of the Year
- Avita Chavez, Frank Hebron-Harmon Elementary
- Michelle Malchester, MacArthur Middle School
- Kimberly Terry, Pershing Hill Elementary
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"Serving Chamber Members as the Trusted Energy Advisor since 2004"
As part of an ongoing effort to provide value to our members, The West CountyChamber of Commerce has partnered with energy experts CQI Associates to offer you the services of the Commercial Energy Co-op. We are happy to announce the Spring 2016 enrollment campaign is underway.
Joining the Chamber's Energy Co-op Program provides:
- Increased Purchasing Power in procuring competitive electric and natural gas rates.
- Eliminates the need to 'go through it alone'.
- Budget Stability by offeringFixed Rate energy supply costs.
- Year round Customer Supportthrough energy experts CQI Associates.
Several factors are cause for concern about the market rates into 2016:
Present electric and natural gas commodity rates have decreased. However, increased capacity and regulatory charges have resulted in overall rates to increase. Geo political situations such as the China economy and Iran exporting oil are causing uncertainty in the stock markets as well as tension in the Middle East. These factors along with presidential elections raise concerns over future utility rates.
Procuring utility rates from third party suppliers remains a viable means to reduce utility expenses. Additional savings can now be seen through restructuring of usage through Demand Response programs, automated systems, and renewable energy options.
To familiarize everyone with the program, CQI Associates will be hosting webinars on the following days:
Webinar Schedule:
To participate in the webinar, please register in-advance. Simply go directly to the CQI Associates home page at www.cqiassocatiates.com and click on the date that you want to participate and follow the steps to RSVP.
There is NO FEE to join the Co-op and one application covers ALL of your electricity and natural gas accounts for ALL locations.
To enroll in the Chamber of Commerce Commercial Energy Co-op:
1) Obtain a Letter of Authorization through the Chamber or CQI
2) Complete and Sign the Letter of Authorization
3) Please provide a recent copy of all of your Utility bill/s, all pages, for all accounts you are enrolling.
4) Please provide a full copy of any utility agreement you are presently under.
5) Please scan and email full copies of all documents to joe@cqiassociates.com or fax to 410-630-5911
6) Please mail the originals to :
West County Chamber of Commerce
8385 Piney Orchard Parkway
Odenton, MD 21113
The application deadline for the Chamber of Commerce Energy Purchasing Cooperative program is Friday, March 25, 2016.
If you have any questions contact Joe Tabeling with CQI Associates at joe@cqiassociates.com or call 443-472-3870.
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Anne Arundel Economic Development Corporation releases videos
The video highlights many of the assets and resources that benefit cyber businesses in our state. As home to six of the top eight U.S. cyber defense agencies, Anne Arundel County is the epicenter of the nation's cybersecurity defense. The county's cyber assets, highly skilled workforce and proximity to Washington, D.C., make it a premiere location for cybersecurity businesses.
Watch Video Did you watch the Video on Odenton?
Odenton is one of the fastest growing communities in Maryland. As a beneficiary of the growth of jobs at and around Fort George G. Meade and an influx of new residents and high income professionals, Odenton is brimming with business and retail opportunities and a growing pipeline of development projects. Watch Video
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Conference Room Available for Rent
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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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Members can advertise their events and special promotions in this section of the e-news for 2 consecutive weeks pending availability for $25. Deadline for inclusion (if space is available) is Monday each week.
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Welcome to our Newest Members
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Kingdom Celebration Center - Kingdom Kafé and Lounge
1350 Blair Drive, Suite H
Odenton, MD 21113
410-672-2003
Learn More
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Giant Food
1155 Annapolis Road
Odenton, MD 21113
Learn More
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Board Attorney
Hyatt & Weber, PA |
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Sonja Gladwin
Corporate Training Group at Anne Arundel Community College
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