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 are cautiously making your way outside. Small businesses can definitely use your support, but please continue to take proper safety measures. It is great to see the new ordering apps, outdoor seating and cleaning procedures as business owners adjust to the circumstances and push through these difficult times. Necessity leads to invention. This is the heart of entrepreneurship.
Second, there is a new loan fund that you should consider. The Maryland Department of Commerce has announced that beginning Monday, July 20, 2020, the Maryland Small Business Development Financing Authority Fund will provide emergency financial relief to businesses that have experienced economic hardship due to the COVID-19 pandemic crisis with low-interest rate, low-documentation loans. Loans range from $25k to $200k for eligible Maryland businesses. MSBDFA promotes the viability and expansion of businesses owned by economically and socially disadvantaged entrepreneurs. Meridian Management Group is handling the applications. Learn more at http://mmgcapitalgroup.com/covid-19-emergency-relief-loan-fund-guidelines/
Third, our goal is to reach 400 active Members by 2021. Take advantage of 2019 pricing with our Summer Membership Drive! Visit our website www.baltimorecitychamber.org and click “Membership/ Join The Chamber.” Pricing starts at $30! If you are already a Member, please share with a friend who can benefit from getting connected to the resources in the city and one-on-one business coaching.
Fourth, I am considering the possibility of an in-person Chamber Holiday Party/ Gala in late November (11/21) or early December (12/5 or 12/12) for 150 people. If you have a venue or catering services that you can offer, I would like to hear from you. Please send a one page quote and/ or any questions to me at willholmesconsulting@gmail.com so I can share them with our Events Committee.
Fifth, I am recruiting business owners for the free, Baltimore Means Business Entrepreneur Growth Program. This free program is open to business owners who earn UNDER $100k annually. The classes will occur on Monday evenings from October 5th to November 16th 2020. Application are open at www.baltimoremeans.business.
Sixth, I am also recruiting for the Goldman Sachs 10,000 Small Businesses program. This free program is open to business owners who earn OVER $100k annually. The next Cohort will be in January 2021. Applications are open at www.10ksbapply.com/baltimore.
Seventh, several of our Members are offering specials to help you reopen safely and adjust to the new environment. For example, Pabst Enterprises is offering a stand alone Temperature Measurement and Face Recognition Terminal that provides a non-contact, high accuracy IR body temperature measurement. It detects if the individual is wearing a face mask and if they are not, the technology prompts them to do so. Contact William Pabst at 443-613-4377 or wpabst@pabstent.com to learn more. Also, scroll down to check out the other valuable offers from Members.
Eighth, if you are looking for safe, high-quality daycare options for your children near downtown, check out Higher Heights Educational Learning Center. They have added new procedures and training for staff to ensure the continued safety of your kids. Learn more at https://higherheightseducationalcenter.com/ or contact Rene via email or by phone at 410-789-0152.
Keep reading for this week’s Opportunities and Events!
OPPORTUNITIES
SPECIAL OFFERS
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
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.
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.
MSBDFA Loans through Meridian Management Group
Meridian Management Group is accepting applications for the Maryland Small Business Development Financing Authority emergency relief fund. Loans range from $25k to $200k. Click here to learn more.
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
7/22/20 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 January 2021 Goldman Sachs 10,000 Small Businesses Cohort!
Earn more that $100k? Applications are open for the free, Goldman Sachs 10,000 Small Businesses program! Click here to learn more and apply.
Apply for the Baltimore Means Business Entrepreneur Growth Program!
Earn less than $100k? Learn more about this free program to help you grow revenue, add jobs and impact your community. Applications are open for the Fall 2020 session. Click here to learn more and apply.
INFORMATION FOR YOUR BUSINESS
Talk to you next week!
Sincerely,
Will HolmesChairman of the Board of Directors, Baltimore City Chamber of Commerce
Schedule a call with me: https://whc.as.me/baltimorechamber
Do business with me: http://www.whcusa.com
Check out my podcast: https://anchor.fm/willholmes.biz