Weekly Message From The Chair, July 13, 2020

Message #29- 7/13/20

Baltimore City Chamber of Commerce Members and Friends,

Summary: In this message, I highlight: events and resources; funding opportunities; job opportunities; offers from Members and info you can use to make better business decisions. Please share this weekly message with 10 people who will benefit. Learn more about us at www.baltimorecitychamber.org. Connect with me on LinkedIn

First, I hope you and your family are well. It’s summer time, so I trust you are finding some safe fun in the sun.

Second, I need you to help me support our Chamber Members. On July 14th, Clean Choice Energy will be discussing various cost saving clean energy options. All attendees will receive a gift certificate. On July 16th, I will be facilitating a webinar scheduled by our Public Policy Committee. Mr. Ross McNutt will explain how Baltimore’s aerial surveillance technology works. This has been a controversial issue, so we think it is important that we take an unbiased look at the technology. I hope to see you at these events and the others listed in the “Invitations to Events” section of this message.

Third, the Baltimore Business Journal acknowledged the Baltimore City Chamber of Commerce as the 13th largest Chamber in the region! It is all because of you that we have doubled in size over the last few years. Thank you for being Members and thank you for your continued support. In case you haven’t heard, we have started our Summer Membership Drive! For a limited time, take advantage of 2019 pricing by visiting our website www.baltimorecitychamber.org and joining. Please share with a friend who can benefit from getting connected to the resources in the city.

Fourth, I am contemplating an in-person Chamber Holiday Party/ Gala in late November (11/21) or early December (12/5 or 12/12). I’d like to know what you think about the timing, so send me an email. And if you have a venue or catering services that you can offer, I would like to hear from you as well. Please send your thoughts and ideas to me at willholmesconsulting@gmail.com so I can share them with our Events Committee.

Fifth, I am working with Morgan State University to create a curriculum for their new entrepreneur growth program called Baltimore Means Business. This free program will be open to business owners who earn UNDER $100,000 annually. The classes will be on Monday evenings from October 5th to November 16th 2020. I plan to start recruiting next week. But, if you are interested in learning more, email me at willholmesconsulting@gmail.com.

Keep reading for this week’s Opportunities and Events! 


OPPORTUNITIES

SPECIAL OFFERS

Mobile and IoT solutions for Chamber Members 
Chamber Member, NOFA Business Consulting is a Mobile and IoT solutions provider committed to developing and implementing reliable, cost-effective solutions for businesses of all sizes, no matter the scope of the need. We are more than a service provider. We are your business partner. Schedule a free consultation at https://calendly.com/farhad-nofa. More information can be found by downloading our mobile app.

Marketing Professionals
Marketing, web design and e-commerce developers are encouraged to fill out our Business to Business Connector form at www.baltimorecitychamber.org. The Baltimore City Chamber of Commerce and the Baltimore Development Corporation (BDC) are partnering to launch a repository of professional services to provide small businesses with resources to adapt their current model and increase their e-commerce presence. If your company provides products and services to help small businesses launch or expand their e-commerce presence, please sign up!

Wanted! New Committee Members
We are looking for Chamber Members who would like to be active on the following new Committees: Young Professionals; Women’s Leadership; Fundraising; Strategic Partnerships; and Member/ Procurement Office Relations. Interested? Schedule a call with Will Holmes at https://whc.as.me/baltimorechamber.

Chamber VIP Office Day Rental 
Need a safe place to meet with your clients? Come to BrickRose Exchange and use our back-office space, featuring a floor-to-ceiling whiteboard. You can book here: http://brickroseexchange.org/whiteboard-rental. Get some work done in a convenient, quiet, professional environment. Click here to contact Chamber Member, Bianca Jackson with questions.

Handgun Certifications for Chamber Members
Chamber Member, M4 Security is a security guard and investigation agency that provides high-quality training for handgun certification. A special discount is being offered to Chamber Members. Visit this page to learn more: http://www.m4security.us/baltimore-city-chamber-members.html

BRHP Property Partner Orientation on 7/30/20
Property owners who participate in the Baltimore Housing Mobility Program are more than landlords to us, they are partners and that’s why we call them property partners. At the Baltimore Regional Housing Partnership (BRHP), we have over 2,000 dedicated property partners that provide a home, a foundation, and a community to over 4,300 deserving families across the Baltimore region. As a valued property owner in the Baltimore region, you are invited to learn more about the Baltimore Housing Mobility Program. On this webinar, you’ll learn how to lease with us, the benefits of our program, anti-discrimination law, how to pass inspections, and more. We want our property partners to be successful and this orientation is the first step. Learn more about BRHP at www.brhp.org. Please register for the orientation at: https://attendee.gotowebinar.com/register/1621859223465180171

Need Health Care?
Chamber Member, Dr. Shawn Dhillon offers concierge medical care for $99 per month. Have a dedicated physician for less than you would pay for medical insurance. Learn more at https://www.anytimedrs.com.

Need Medical Insurance?
Chamber Member, George Faber can help you find medical coverage. Send him a message at George.Faber@USHAdvisors.com.

Free Consultation for Business Owners
Navigating your employees’ return to the workplace amid COVID-19 concerns will prove trying even for the most seasoned companies. Let Chamber Member, Humanity in HR, LLC help you to charter the unknown waters of COVID-19 by updating policies, improving communication methods, and consulting on various Human Resource issues. Click here for your complimentary consultation.

Products for Re-opening Safely
Chamber Member, Minuteman Press of Baltimore, a local family owned print center, provides products required for Maryland Strong reopening. Minuteman Press can provide personalized masks, hand sanitizer, thermometers, signage, posters, single use menus, and many more products. Check out a sample of their wide range of personalized products required for opening by clicking here.  Contact Minuteman Press of Baltimore for all your printing and COVID-19 opening supplies. They will help you create the right reopening package for your business. Email Barbara at barbara@mmpcrofton.com.

LOANS AND GRANTS

PPP
The Paycheck Protection Program has been extended! Check out the details at https://www.congress.gov/bill/116th-congress/house-bill/7010 and https://home.treasury.gov/policy-issues/cares/assistance-for-small-businesses.

KIVA Loans 
KIVA has funding options for businesses. Click here to learn more. 

Short term commercial loans not based on credit…
If you have submitted an invoice for services and you are waiting to be paid, or if you have a purchase order to fill, but need funding to get started, learn more about WHC’s programs that can help.

JOBS

Jobs at the Small Business Administration 
The SBA has a variety of temporary jobs to assist with the COVID-19 response. Click here to learn more.

Jobs in Baltimore
The Mayor’s Office of Employment Development has compiled job openings in the area. Click here to learn more.

Department of Labor
The Department of Labor has compiled some job opportunities. Click here to learn more.

If you are an active Baltimore City Chamber Member and you have a special offer for our Members, schedule a call with Will Holmes at https://whc.as.me/baltimorechamber


INVITATIONS TO EVENTS

7/14/20 at 5:30pm
Informational Webinar on Clean Energy

Chamber Member, Clean Choice Energy will lead a discussion on options for clean energy. Join CleanChoice Energy Tuesday, July 14 for a Community Solar Power Hour. Learn how you can save up to 10% on your electricity bill & support the clean energy industry in Maryland. Members who subscribe will receive a $150 prepaid gift card as a ‘thank you’ for choosing solar power. All attendees will be entered to win a $50 prepaid gift card. Register on Eventbrite or Contact Kathleen at kathleen.wojtowicz@cleanchoiceenergy.com for more details.

7/14/20 at 11am
Webinar hosted by the Maryland SBDC

John Hickman hosts Updates to Main Street, PPP, and EIDl Loans. Join to hear updates on existing programs and information on new options for your business. Register at https://mdsbdc.ecenterdirect.com/events/16268

7/15/20 at 10am
Webinar hosted by the Maryland SBDC

Annette Johnson hosts Inclusiveness: A Business Imperative and Critical Success Factor. Diversity, equity and inclusion are critical success factors for business, especially during unsettling times. Participants will explore unconscious bias and its impact on organizational cultures and employee engagement. Register here https://mdsbdc.ecenterdirect.com/events/16269

7/16/20 at 12 noon
Webinar from Baltimore City Chamber
Informational Webinar on the Aerial Surveillance Program in Baltimore City! We will learn how the technology works from Ross McNutt, Owner of Surveillance Systems. Register on Eventbrite.

7/22/20 at 11am
Webinar hosted by the Maryland SBDC

Sumathy Chandrashekar hosts Business Plan Basics. Learn the basic elements of a business plan and how to structure writing an effective plan to maximize your loan potential! Whether you have an existing plan already and need to make adjustments or are looking to start fresh, we can offer tips for organizing your business model for the changing world in the midst of a pandemic. Register at https://mdsbdc.ecenterdirect.com/events/16274

7/30/20 at 10am
BRHP Property Partner Orientation Webinar 

As a valued property owner in the Baltimore region, you are invited to learn more about the Baltimore Housing Mobility Program. On this webinar, you’ll learn how to lease with us, the benefits of our program, anti-discrimination law, how to pass inspections, and more. We want our property partners to be successful and this orientation is the first step. Please register for the orientation at https://attendee.gotowebinar.com/register/1621859223465180171

8/6/20 at 6pm
Baltimore City Chamber of Commerce General Membership Meeting 

Our monthly General Membership Meeting is open to all. We’ll give you an update on Chamber business, highlight Members, discuss resources and share solutions. And of course, we’ll network. Click here to register.

8/13/20 at 6pm
Baltimore City Chamber of Commerce Virtual Happy Hour 

Join us for our monthly Virtual Happy Hour! This event is open to all. Wear your logo and be ready to toast, mingle and network. Click here to register!  

Apply for the next Goldman Sachs 10,000 Small Businesses Cohort!
Applications are open for the free, Goldman Sachs 10,000 Small Businesses program! Click here to learn more and apply.


INFORMATION FOR YOUR BUSINESS

This list of resources is now on our Chamber Resources Page along with new tools, programs, podcasts and webinars.  


Talk to you next week!
Sincerely,

Will Holmes
Chairman of the Board of Directors, Baltimore City Chamber of Commerce
Schedule a call with me: https://whc.as.me/baltimorechamber
Learn about the Chamber: http://www.baltimorecitychamber.org
Do business with me: http://www.whcusa.com