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Business Spotlight: Blink
The Charles County Department of Economic Development has just begun using Blink, a customer relationship management (CRM) program developed by Charles County entrepreneur, Connie Fuksa. Blink is customizable to meet many small business needs. Fuksa created the customer-focused program with the notion that businesses should be able to reach out easily and consistently to their customers. Blink was developed with simplicity in mind so business contacts are simple to manage. "It is simple to use and simple to act on. Blink equals simple plus powerful plus affordable," said Fuksa.
Economic Development Department Director Kwasi Holman remarked, "Our department is excited to be given the opportunity to utilize a product developed by a local business person. Blink will help our department keep in touch with the many businesses we work with on a regular basis -- at an affordable price."
For more information about Blink, visit www.BlinkInformation.com.
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Register by Oct. 15 to save $10. Hurry!
> Register today online
This year's theme is...
Meet Charles County: Local Advantages, Regional Assets
Ashley Johnson, of the Naval Surface Warfare Center Indian Head Explosive Ordnance Disposal Technology Division (NSWC IHEODTD), has been added to the lineup of featured speakers. Johnson will present his vision for the future of NSWC IHEODTD and the installation's upcoming Industry Day. As the new technical director for NSWC IHEODTD, Johnson directs employees at the naval installation at Indian Head -- and detachments in other national locations -- with annual operations of more than $1 billion.
Previously announced speakers at the Economic Development Summit include James C. Dinegar, president and CEO of the Greater Washington Board of Trade, and renowned economist Anirban Basu, of Sage Policy Group.
Visit our event page for links to each of our sponsors.
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Thank you to SmartSite, LLC for submitting photos of their Business in Action:
Businesses in Action:
Request for Photos
Don't forget to send us photographs of your businesses in action by Nov. 1! Photos submitted must be of businesses in Charles County, and must be accompanied by a completed photo release form. Please be sure to read the guidelines outlined on the release form and email it along with your photo(s) to Kelsey Pearson.
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| Workforce Development: Look Who's Hiring
 The Tri-County Council for Southern Maryland in conjunction with the Southern Maryland Jobsource will be hosting a Retail/Hospitality Seasonal Hiring Fair on Friday, October 17, 2014, at the St. Charles Towne Center Mall in Waldorf. This unique opportunity is structured to bring together businesses, experienced professionals, and talented entry-level individuals, in an effort to fulfill your staffing needs for the upcoming busy Holiday Season. Businesses interested in hiring at the event should contact Yvette Turner at 301-374-1150 or by email .
 Zekiah Technologies, Inc. is hiring for several positions at both their La Plata and Dahlgren, VA offices. Positions include: .Net Developer, Software Developer, Sharepoint Developer, Database Developer, and Sr. Software Developer.
For more information, visit their website or call 301-392-3788.
 SolarCity will hire for 50 new positions at their new Southern Maryland facility located in White Plains. They will be additionally hiring for 100 positions statewide. The company seeks experienced electricians, though prospective hires don't need to posses any prior solar experience. Currently, the company is hiring for Site Surveyors, Installers, Electricians, Project Managers, Warehouse Employees, and more at their Charles County location.Visit their website to learn more about available positions.
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| Local Business News
 The Daily Record has named Frank Duduk, Partner, of SmartSite LLC an Innovator of the Year! "This year's Innovators of the Year are on the cutting edge. They represent the best of Maryland in diverse fields such as technology, education, health care and community work," said Suzanne Fischer-Huettner, publisher of The Daily Record. "They make the extraordinary, ordinary and the impossible, possible. We applaud their innovative spirit and accomplishments."
 Congratulations to Charles M. Adams and Adams Communication and Engineering Technology (ACET, Inc.) for being ranked #21 in Black Enterprise's BE 100s 2014 Industrial/Service list, one of BE's rankings highlighting the nation's largest black businesses!
 Southern Solutions was invited by Xerox to present their latest development, a new interactive hosted app for Xerox copiers (the first of its kind), to industry analysts in NYC. Southern Solutions was the only partner in the country invited to attend! Congratulations Southern Solutions!
Congratulations to Avening Management and Technical Services, LLC on becoming a Military Spouse Employment Partnership partner! AveningTech is a woman-owned/veteran owned small business focused on providing strategic management and technical support services to Federal Government organizations.
Charles County establishes high bond ratings as affirmed by rating agencies! Moody's Investors Service assigned an "Aa1" rating and Fitch and Standard & Poor's Ratings both assigned an "AAA" rating, the highest rating issued by the agencies. These ratings signify Charles County's strong fiscal health, making us a great location for investment!
 Krispy Kreme announced that they have signed an agreement with Monument Restaurants for the development of 20 new Krispy Kreme shops in Southern Maryland, Washington, D.C., Northern Virginia and nearby counties over the next several years. Charles County is one of several locations being considered for possible future Krispy Kreme locations.
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Tri-County Council for Southern Maryland:
Smart Business Tool
Check out the Tri-County Council's Smart Business Tool that is designed to help small businesses in Southern Maryland grow and prosper! The tool is a one stop business knowledge center that houses a directory of small businesses, a bid board where organizations can publish business opportunities, a How To section to walk business owners through the process, and resources to help start, grow, and manage your business.
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| Websites by BalanceLogic
BalanceLogic has launched two brand new websites recently for Charles County businesses. Be sure to check them out! For more information, please visit www.balancelogic.com.
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Charles County Data
Current Commercial Vacancy Rate
Source: Costar Realty Information, 2014. Data as of Sept. 22, 2014 |
| Business Activity
Expanding/Relocating Businesses
The Lifelong Learning Center
Old Location: 12300 Vivian Adams Drive, Waldorf
New Location: 7775 Marshall Corner Road, Pomfret
Contact: 301-753-1774
American Hearth and Home
Old Location: 2875 Crain Highway, Waldorf
New Location: 2398 Crain Highway (previously McGee Fence)
Contact: 301-645-2700
Frogworks
Location: 605 Post Office Road, Ste. 205, Waldorf
Contact: 240-880-1944
Comrent
Old Location: 7640 Investment Court, Owings
New Location: 12340 Crain Highway, Newburg
Contact: 888-881-7118
Texxturz Hair Salon
Old Location: 3095 Marshall Hall Road, Bryans Road
New Location: 8030 Matthews Road, Suite 101, Bryans Road
Contact: 301-375-7200
World Gym (Re-Opening)
Location: 6615 Crain Highway, La Plata
Contact: 301-934-0077
The Gold Market
Old Location: 46 St. Patrick's Drive, Waldorf
New Location: 42 St. Patrick's Drive, Waldorf
Contact: 301-638-0009
New Businesses - Now Open
Starbucks Coffee
Location: 11110 Mall Circle, Waldorf (located inside in front of Macy's)
Solar City
Location: 10738 Hart Place, White Plains
Contact: 1-888-765-2489
Lung and Sleep Institute
Location: 4475 Regency Place, Suite 303, White Plains
Contact: 301-645-3420
Smile Dental Art
Location: 3165 Wooster Drive, Bryans Road
Contact: 301-283-6211
Barnes Used Cars of Sounthern MD
Location: 3195 Leonardtown Road, Waldorf
Contact: 301-861-3232
Tailored Tattoo
Location: 10225 Berry Road, Waldorf
Contact: 240-585-7994
New Businesses - Coming Soon
St. Charles Pharmacy
Location: 1152 Smallwood Drive West, Waldorf
Projected opening date is scheduled for late October; more information will follow.
International Coffee
Location: 2985 Shasho Place, Waldorf
More information will follow.
Yohielo Yogurt
Location: 3261 Plaza Way, Waldorf
Contact: 301-266-6676
Opening date is scheduled for late October.
Jelly Beans Child Care Center
Location: 14955 Foster Lane, Hughesville
Contact: 301-932-2633
Opening date is scheduled for late October.
Tao of Japan Restaurant
Location: 3331 Plaza Way, Waldorf
Opening date is scheduled for early fall 2014; more information will follow.
R. Bowman Horton Funeral and Heaven Bound Cremation Services
Location: 4445 Crain Highway, White Plains
Projected completion date early 2015; more information will follow.
Contact: 240-607-9320
Panda Express
Location: 1100 Smallwood Drive, Waldorf (next to Burger King)
Projected opening date Mid-October; more information will follow.
Fuego's Latin Grill
Location: 11481 Berry Road, Waldorf
Projected opening date Mid-Fall; more information will follow.
Contact: 202-271-6477
Dash-In
Location: 3690 Crain Highway, Waldorf
Opening date is scheduled for Mid-October; more information will follow.
Kleen Wave Auto Spa
Location: 155 St. Patrick's Drive, Waldorf
Projected opening date late October; more information will follow.
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2014 Business Calendar
Thursday, Oct. 16, Noon to 1:30 p.m.
Network at Noon
Charles County Chamber of Commerce
Hilton Garden Inn Waldorf, 10385 O'Donnell Place, Waldorf, MD
Details: Charles County Chamber of Commerce, 301-932-6500
Friday, Oct. 17, Noon to 1:30 p.m.
Retail/Hospitality Seasonal Hiring Fair
Tri-County Council for SOMD and SOMD Jobsource
St. Charles Towne Center Mall, 11110 Mall Circle, Waldorf, MD
This unique opportunity is structured to bring together businesses, experienced professionals, and talented entry-level individuals, in an effort to fulfill your staffing needs for the upcoming busy holiday season. Details: Yvette Turner, 301-374-1150, email.
Tuesday, Nov. 4, 8 a.m. to 3 p.m.
Industry Day 2014
Naval Surface Warfare Center Indian Head EOD Technology Division
CSM Center for Business and Industry Conference Center
8730 Mitchell Rd, La Plata, MD
This one-day event will provide those interested in partnering with NSWC IHEODTD a basic understanding of the organization, its mission and a general forecast of possible future requirements, potential contracting and/or subcontracting opportunities for fiscal years 2015-2017. Register today.
Wednesday, Nov. 12, 8 a.m. to 5 p.m.
2014 Entrepreneur Expo
BWI Airport Marriott
1743 West Nursery, Linthicum, MD
Get your ticket now and save $30! Early bird ends Oct. 3.
For sponsorship and exhibit opportunities, please contact TEDCO by email.
Most Tuesdays from 8 a.m. to 9:30 p.m.
The Southern Maryland Business Network (SMBN)
SMBN is an independent, non-profit group of business professionals whose purpose is to develop business relationships and exchange quality business referrals. Meetings are held at the Regency Furniture Stadium in Waldorf, MD. Details: www.smbn.org.
2nd and 4th Wednesday from Noon to 1 p.m.
Are you interested in improving your public speaking and leadership skills? If so, Toastmasters is for you! Join the members of the newly formed Toastmasters group in La Plata and enhance your public speaking skills in an encouraging, supportive environment. Meetings are held at the Charles County Government Building, 200 Baltimore Street, La Plata, in the Commissioners' Conference Room (ask for the "blue room"). Details: Peter Aluotto, 301-645-0693.
Last Wednesday from 9 to 10:30 a.m.Breakfast with BalanceLogic 50 Post Office Road, Suite 302, Waldorf, MD
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The Economic Development Department is always looking for ways to promote good news about our local businesses. Examples of news would be businesses in Southern Maryland who have received an award, opened a new office, been awarded a new contract, are hosting an event, or have moved locations.
If you would like to be featured in an upcoming newsletter, please send your news to Kelsey Pearson
by email.
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