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April 2015
Chamber After Hours - April 22, 5:30-7:00pm
Join the Montgomery County business community for professional networking in a casual and friendly atmosphere. MCCC members and non-members are welcome. Register today! 
Monthly Member Exchange Meetings
Speaker: Peter Franchot, Comptroller of Maryland
Topic: Maryland's fiscal climate, tax revenue impact, and economic opportunities

Speaker: Leadership from the Montgomery County Delegation to the Maryland General Assembly 
Topic: 2015 Maryland Legislative Session Wrap-Up

Speaker: Pasquale (Pat) DeSanto Jr., Lockheed Martin Information Services and Global Solutions (IS&GS)
Topic: Lockheed Martin - Opening Doors to Small Enterprises

Please Note: The regularly scheduled Infrastructure and Land Use Member Exchange Meeting will not take place this month and the Small Business Member Exchange Meeting scheduled for April 15 will be announced via email.

Meeting notices are sent by email approximately one week prior to the event. RSVPs are appreciated but not required. View the MCCC calendar.
13th Annual Champions for Children Awards Ceremony -
   April 21, 5:00-9:00pm
MCCC is the proud sponsor of the MCPS Business Champion of the Year award being given this year to Emergent BioSolutionsChampions for Children connects the business community, MCPS executives and community leaders to celebrate and reward quality teaching, outstanding leadership, and exceptional supporting services in our schools.  Find out more.
MCCC Orientation - April 23, 8:30-10:30am
The MCCC Orientation is an opportunity for current and prospective members to learn about the programs and events that MCCC offers and how to leverage your Chamber membership. The Orientation is free and allows time for networking - bring your business cards! RSVP!
Future Events
First Semi-Annual Business Breakfast - May 8, 7:30-9:00am
Join the Department of Permitting Services in partnerships with County Chambers of Commerce for an informational exchange on DPS programs. Build business relationship and ask questions about eServices, new permitting fees, and more! Location: Red Brick Courthouse, 2nd Floor, 29 Courthouse Square, Rockville. RSVP by 5 PM Friday, May 1 to Jessica at [email protected].
MCCC GovConNet Procurement Conference - 
   May 15, 7:00am-3:00pm
Gain new insights and make valuable connections with  Breakout Sessions, Matchmaking, and an Expo, that attract 800+ federal, state and local governments, and prime contractorsRegister today!
MCCC 56th Annual Dinner - June 25, 6:00-9:00pm
Save the Date! Celebrate the 2015-2016 MCCC Board of Directors and 4 luminaries at our 56th Annual Dinner. Watch last year's Comcast Newsmakers video. 
April 9, 8:00-9:00am
 Small Business
April 15, 8:00-9:00am
 Legislative Affairs
April 17, 8:00-9:00am
April 22, 5:30-7:00pm
April 23, 8:30-10:30am
April 28, 8:00-9:00am
NEWS
govConNet
Your Federal Procurement Connection & Resource
VIP
Learn More About VIP and Sign Up for the Next Session!
Green Certified
MCCC is a Green Certified Business - Learn How Your Company Can Be One!
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MCCC Myth Busters
Advocacy
 
MCCC is a 501 c 6 and advocates on behalf of a strong business community in Montgomery County and Maryland. Below are advocacy highlights at the county, state, and federal levels. For more information about our advocacy work, visit our Advocacy Page.
 
AT THE FEDERAL LEVEL:
  • Action Alert - SBA Proposed Rules: Comment periods are closing soon for important SBA proposed rules. See MCCC's Federal Advocacy Page for more information on the proposed rule changes and how you can submit comments.
     
  • National Small Business Week "SBA: Dream Big, Start Small" will be held from May 4-8, 2015. Every year since 1963 SBA takes the opportunity to highlight the impact of outstanding entrepreneurs, small business owners, and others from across the nation through National Small Business Week. For more information, visit www.sba.gov/smallbusinessweek.
 
AT THE STATE LEVEL:
  • Operating and Capital Budgets: There are less than two weeks until the end of the 2015 Maryland legislative session. Attention is focused on the operating and capital budgets and both sides are making concessions. We are pleased to report that a capital expenditure that MCCC supported - more funding for MCPS school construction - seems to be forthcoming. 

    The Hogan administration introduced a supplemental budget proposal for FY2016 to addresses tax relief, public safety, heroin addiction treatment, and education measures. For more, read the press release, the Washington Post article, or the Maryland Reporter article. 
     
  • Presentation of Bills to Governor: Bills are beginning to move from the Conference Committee to the Governor's desk for signature and we are glad to a package of bills proposed by the Maryland Economic Development and Business Climate Commission among them. Look for updates on these pieces of legislation in MCCC's Advocacy Updates. 
     
  • MD Taxes: The Commission's work will continue as they take a deeper look at taxes. For information about next steps for the Commission, see the letter from Senator Feldman and Delegate Dumais, sponsors of the Commission on Tax Policy, Reform and Fairness. MCCC continues to support the efforts to review the tax code in Maryland with the goal of making the State more competitive with surrounding jurisdictions.

AT THE COUNTY LEVEL:
  • Budget: The County Executive submits proposed capital and operating budgets to the Council by January 15 and March 15, respectively. The Council will then hold public hearings and deliberates on the spending and revenue proposals. By June 1, the Council must take final action on the budget for the fiscal year that begins on July 1.

    Public hearings on the FY 16 Operating Budget in April. MCCC will testify on April 14 in support of economic development and to make the case for reducing the increased energy tax first put into place in FY 11. Find out more here.
     
  • Early Bird Benchmarking Program: In its effort to support the new Benchmarking Law, the Montgomery County Department of Environmental Protection (DEP)  is offering an Early Bird Benchmarking program to recognize building owners who benchmark early. Benchmark your building in Portfolio Manager, including the building profile and energy use data covering all of 2014, and report to the County by July 1, 2015. Download the Early Bird Recognition program flyer for more information. 


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