Thursday - July 28, 2016


Table of Contents
Circle of Champion Sponsors


welcome new members button
(As of the last 45 days)

Looking for Howard 
County Government Procurement 
Opportunities? 
Showcase your Photography!


We're updating our membership directory, and looking for some original photography. Want to get your name in print? And your photos too? We're looking for images pertaining to Howard County's 1) Growth and Development, 2) Health & Wellness, 3) Education, 4)

Shopping & Dining, 5) Arts & Culture, 6) Sports & Recreation. 
We'll credit you and send you a printed copy of the section in which your photo appears. We're looking for high resolution photos (300dpi) suitable for printing. Please send all photos here.


Fine print: Selection of photos is dependent on the designer. 

WANTED:


Hiring Now!
Application Deadline: Friday,
July 29, 2016.



 
Share the story of your business with others. 
Why did you start, keep, and/or expand your business into the region?
Any unexpected benefits? Drawbacks that you overcame?
Would you do it again? 
Anything you would change the next time?


We'll publish your story in an upcoming E-Weekly newsletter!


Member Savings!
Chamber members get up to 25% off Constant Contact subscription.


Call: 888-606-7316 or email




SAVE $25

on your next qualifying purchase of $100 or more when you use your Chamber Program Account



Join Our Mailing List
We're compiling the results of those who responded about improving Howard County's business climate. We'll report back.


With 700+ fantastic companies as members, and the due date just a few weeks away, we're wondering...Do you plan to attend the Chamber's Signature Event this year?
Eagle Scout Chooses Veteran Reserved Parking Initiative as Eagle Scout Project
Shayne Gray started small as a Tiger cub in the first grade. Now a rising senior at Howard High School, he is working on his Eagle Scout project. He is hoping that businesses will "step up to the plate" and start honoring our nation's veterans by dedicating reserved parking spots for them. It's a permanent, visual way to remember and honor our military service members, past and present. Although he is still waiting for final approval from his Council, he will focus on grocery stores and other locally owned shops that have the flexibility to put reserved signs in their lots. The Howard County Chamber of Commerce and the Howard County Veterans and Military Families Commission started this initiative in 2015, and Turf Valley Resort, Leidos, The Mall in Columbia, and other companies have enthusiastically supported this effort. Businesses may also create a personalized donor plate to honor a loved one or to let others know who purchased the sign. We applaud Shane for choosing this project, which recognizes and champions our veterans, and we hope local businesses will support him and his efforts.
Deadline is Tomorrow! Get Your ACE Nominations to Us!
We're gearing up for our Awards for Chamber Excellence. Nominate those Chamber members that just jump right to the front of your mind when you think about excellence in the business community. They deserve an Award of Chamber Excellence (ACE), presented at the annual Signature Event gala celebration, which this year will be held October 7, at Turf Valley Resort. 
Chamber members are invited to download the application and submit nominations for these awards to the Chamber's Business Recognition Committee. Please note that the nominee must be a member in good standing with the Chamber. And yes, you can nominate yourself. The deadline is Friday, July 29.

Come with us to beautiful, sunny, Costa del Sol, Spain!


October 18-26


Includes Granada, Alhambra Palace, Rock of Gibraltar, airfare, hotels, 13 meals, professional tour manager, transfers, baggage handling...and more!
Members: $2,799
Non-members: $2,999

DETAILS


August 4 - Elected Official Meet & Greet
August 10 - HCEDA Business Resource Fair
August 11 - GovConnects CFO Roundtable
August 25 - GovConnects BizBreakfast - with NSA Signal's Intelligence Directorate (SID) Innovation Team" and the "Office of Small Business Programs
September 1 - Small Business Seminar - Maryland Small Business Lending Program
September 7 - YPN Mixer - Horseshoe Casino
October 7 - Signature Event 2016

Member Events

Business Resource Fair
August 10, 2016
10:00am - 1:00pm


Check out the Chamber and other business resources from around Maryland, at the HCEDA's 2016 Business Resource Far. Held from 10am - 1pm at the Howard Community College, the Chamber will be joined by other business groups and government agencies to engage with businesses, answer questions, and help you grow. The event is free and open to businesses of all sizes. Interested in exhibiting? More information can be found at hceda.org
9:00 am 


The Downtown Columbia Partnership and Howard County Library System are hosting the third annual Discover Downtown Columbia 5K and 1-Mile Fun Run starting at The Plaza at The Mall in Columbia. 
 
The course takes runners past and through some of Downtown Columbia's iconic landmarks including The Mall in Columbia, Merriweather Post Pavilion, Howard County Library System's Central Branch, Toby's Dinner Theatre, the former Rouse Company Building (now home to Whole Foods Market and Haven On The Lake spa), ending at the People Tree at the Downtown Lakefront.
 
Prizes will be awarded and Entertainment will be featured before, during, and after the race. Clyde's will host a Beer Garden with free beer for participants over 21 years of age. Register at discoverdowntown5k.com

8:00am - 12:30pm 
BBJ_BizExpo
Hunt Valley Inn, Hunt Valley, MD 


Each year the BBJ expo draws 600+ executives, business owners and local business professionals and they are inviting local businesses to participate. Exhibit tables are now available. More information


Of Interest

3 New Laws You Should Know About



Friday, July 1, was the day several new laws went into effect. Here are three that small businesses should be aware of.


Minimum Wage
In 2014, legislators approved increases to the minimum wage that will take place gradually over several years. On July 1, the base wage rose from $8.25 to $8.75 per hour, and it is scheduled to increase again to $9.25 next year and again to $10.10 in July 2018.


Gas Tax
Maryland's gas tax is now nine-tenths of a cent higher, at 33.5 cents per gallon. This increase is part of a new law that was passed in 2013 and included a per-gallon tax increase and a new sales and use tax. The sales tax rate will phase in to a maximum of 5 percent based on the average annual price of a gallon of gas. The 2013 law also indexes future annual gas tax increases to the inflation rate, with a cap of an 8 percent increase in any year.
While gas prices have been on a downward trend since the 2013 law was passed, the increases do create an uneven playing field for gas stations located near the borders of Virginia, Delaware, and Washington, D.C., where the gas taxes are lower.


Retirement Plans
For workers who don't have access to a workplace savings program with their employer, a state-sponsored retirement savings plan is now in effect. The law applies to employers who use an automated payroll system, but don't offer a retirement savings program. IRAs would be created for these workers, who would need to make contributions to the account and could opt out of the program.


Article printed courtesy of NFIB/MD. 


Copyright 2016  Howard County Chamber of Commerce   All Rights Reserved 


Howard County Chamber of Commerce | 5560 Sterrett Place | Suite 105 | Columbia | MD | 21044