Weekly Message From The Chair, March 22, 2021

Message #12- 3/22/21

Baltimore City Chamber of Commerce Members and Friends,

In this week’s message, you will find:

If this message landed in your spam or promotions folder, please add us to your address book! Was this message forwarded to you? Join our Mailing List!

SIGN UP FOR OUR FEATURED EVENT: 
Free Registration at https://whc.as.me/franchot. Special thanks to Board Member James Dorf for his leadership in creating this opportunity to partner with the Office of the Comptroller.
Here are 10 things you should know:

First, sign up for our April 8th discussion with Maryland Comptroller Peter Franchot. With all the economic stimulus that’s available and Peter Franchot running for Governor, this is a must attend for any business owner in Maryland. Free Registration at https://whc.as.me/franchot. Special thanks to Board Member James Dorf for his leadership in creating this opportunity to partner with the Office of the Comptroller.

Second, please join the Women’s Leadership Initiative on April 14, 2021 at 6pm for the BCCoC WLI Committee Meeting and on April 22, 2021 at 6:15pm for “4 Keys to Create a Monetizable Online Presence that will Attract On-going Referrals and Clients”. Our Speaker will be Ms. Diana Concoff Morgan. RSVP for both events here.

Third, if you need new talent for your organization, contact the Mayor’s Office of Employment Development. They have qualified people looking for jobs right now! Register to attend the virtual job fair on May 10th, 12th and 14th. Contact HSGrads@oedworks.com or call 443-984-3014 for more information.

Fourth, Governor Hogan has relaxed restrictions and announced vaccine updates. Click here for the most up-to-date information.

Fifth, Le Diner en Blanc is looking for corporate sponsors for its annual event in September. Contact Chenire Carter for more information.

Sixth, on Saturday, April 17, 2021, the Be. organization will host the 5th Annual Beyond a Dream Youth (Virtual) Conference. This half-day virtual event will bring together students, local businesses, colleges, universities, career professionals, and over 200 parents and teenagers to the virtual stage for interactive sessions throughout the event. Corporate sponsors will have access to parents and students through an interactive virtual exhibition hall and one-on-one meet and greets. Contact Stephanie Jerger for more information.

Seventh, Chamber Member, Dr. Tonya Robertson is hosting a live training on Wednesday, March 24th entitled “5 Steps to Creating a High-Performing Team”. If you have a team and need assurance that your processes are effective, or if you are considering hiring a team, this is for you. Register here.

Eighth, I am recruiting for the next Goldman Sachs 10,000 Small Businesses cohort starting this Fall. If you’ve been in business more than 2 years, have 2 or more people in your company and your revenue is over $75k, you may qualify. Click here to apply.

Ninth, we are considering an outdoor, covid-compliant event for Friday, May 21st. Send me your thoughts or concerns at will@whcusa.com.

Tenth, we are nearing our goal! Will you be the 400th Member??? Join or renew today at baltimorecitychamber.org.

Keep reading for this week’s OffersLoans and GrantsJobs and Events

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


OFFERS 

Web Design
Chamber Member, Wayne Stewart is offering special pricing for all current Chamber Members. 25% OFF ALL WEB DESIGN & DEVELOPMENT SERVICES. If you are interested in this great offer, schedule your free consultation by contacting Wayne directly. His website is www.sdagency.net.

Meditation
Chamber Member, Kadampa Meditation Center-Maryland welcomes Members to a complimentary meditation and special offer. Baltimore’s only Buddhist Temple offers ancient wisdom and practical tools for taking on today’s challenges. Click here to learn more and register.

Marketing, Videography and Photography
Chamber Member, Vonnya Pettigrew, Owner of Root Branch Media Group has a new office and studio on Union Avenue in the Clipper Mill area! Please contact her for Chamber Member specials on media marketing, videography and photography services at VONNYA@rootbranchmediagroup.com. Learn more at https://rootbranchmediagroup.com/.

Workforce Development 
Morgan State University’s Center for Continuing and Professional Studies (CCPS) offers customized courses to meet the workforce development and/or training needs of Maryland employers. The benefits of partnering with MSU’s Center for Continuing and Professional Studies are numerous: MSU is the premier public Urban University in the state of Maryland, MSU has a well-credentialed faculty; MSU offers services that are cost-effective and CCPS has nearly 60 years of experience offering non-credit, Continuing Education Units (CEUs) and Professional Development Hours (PDHs), professional development opportunities, customized workshops, and institutes for adult learners. To partner with us, please click here.

Career Training and Professional Development
Morgan State University is equipped to offer online learning convenient training solutions for businesses. Our catalog of over 300 online courses will allow you to provide training solutions to employees quickly and effectively as they learn on their own and in their preferred learning environment. Our six-week online courses are designed to teach individuals valuable skills that they can apply immediately on the job. Explore the full catalog here.

Need Medical Insurance?
Chamber Member, George Faber can help you find suitable affordable medical coverage, critical illness, short term disability, dental and more!  Whether obtaining a health plan is your financial responsibility or you want to supplement an existing plan to protect your savings and family, send George a message at George.Faber@USHAdvisors.com or call (443) 474 4800. Immediate quotes provided! 

Fundraising Opportunity for Non-Profits
Does your nonprofit want to raise money AND promote cleaner air? CleanChoice Energy is seeking active 501(c)(3) organizations for the new Clean Electricity fundraising program. For each household that enrolls in 100% Clean Electricity through their campaign, CleanChoice will donate $50 to your organization. Email kathleen.wojtowicz@cleanchoiceenergy.com to learn more about this fundraising opportunity.

Cancer Awareness
March is traditionally Colorectal Cancer Awareness Month, where highlighted attention is given by media, champions and health allies regarding the importance of timely CRC screenings with an urge to talk with a medical professional about a screening that is appropriate for their situation. Will you light  your building to be lit blue in honor of Colon Cancer Awareness to join the American Cancer Society, Colon Cancer Coalition, Fight Colorectal Cancer, the colorectal cancer community, and landmarks across the country to “Go Blue” anytime throughout March. We hope you will support colorectal cancer awareness as well, as colorectal cancer is the 2nd leading cause of cancer death in the United States. Please send a photo of your establishment lit up blue to Christine.Schifkovitz@cancer.org to be included in social media outreach and press releases.

LOANS AND GRANTS
Latino Economic Development Center
As a certified Community Development Financial Institution (CDFI), LEDC provides alternative micro loan options to start-ups and existing businesses that have difficulty obtaining credit from mainstream financial institutions. We offer loans ranging from $500 to $250,000 to qualified start-ups and existing businesses. Uses capital include: Vehicles & equipment; Renovation or business expansion; Working capital; Hiring additional personnel; Inventory; Bridge financing for government grants; Expansion to new locations; and Business acquisition. Our loan officers are trained to access each transaction beyond traditional credit underwriting guidelines. At LEDC, we believe in the unleashing power of economic fairness and access to opportunity to all. Learn more at https://www.ledcmetro.org/smallbusiness.

Baltimore Community Lending
Baltimore Community Lending provides loan capital to small real estate developers and small business owners in Baltimore City who have no relationship with or are unable to get a loan from a bank, and who are committed to developing underserved neighborhoods. They work with the government, foundations, financial institutions, community stakeholders, anchor institutions, and small business owners early in the planning process to provide small-to-mid size capital solutions leading to a more diverse and economically balanced Baltimore. Learn more about Baltimore Community Lending’s programs at https://bclending.org/.

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

JOBS

Looking for Talent?
If you are looking for the right person with the right skill sets and experience, contact Chamber Member, Steve Braun of Search Consultants at sbraun@searchconsultants.org.

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.

EVENTS

4/1/21 at 6pm
Baltimore City Chamber General Membership Meeting

This event is open to all! Learn about resources for your business and opportunities to help you in your career. Register at https://whc.as.me/1stThursdays.

4/8/21 at 6pm
Economic Update with Comptroller Peter Franchot
You are invited to join us on April 8th at 6pm for a discussion with Maryland Comptroller Peter Franchot. Receive updates on Relief Options and Maryland’s Economic Future. Free Registration at https://whc.as.me/franchot.

5/6/21 at 6pm
Baltimore City Chamber General Membership Meeting

This event is open to all! Learn about resources for your business and opportunities to help you in your career. Register at https://whc.as.me/1stThursdays.

5/13/21 at 6pm
Baltimore City Chamber Virtual Happy Hour

Connect and meet with Chamber Members every 2nd Thursday! Wear your logo and share what you do! We have a toast every 15 minutes, so be ready to celebrate and network. Register at https://whc.as.me/2ndThursdays.

5/21/21
Save the date! Chamber Annual Meeting. Outdoor and in-person!

6/3/21 at 6pm
Baltimore City Chamber General Membership Meeting

This event is open to all! Learn about resources for your business and opportunities to help you in your career. Register at https://whc.as.me/1stThursdays.

6/10/21 at 6pm
Baltimore City Chamber Virtual Happy Hour

Connect and meet with Chamber Members every 2nd Thursday! Wear your logo and share what you do! We have a toast every 15 minutes, so be ready to celebrate and network. Register at https://whc.as.me/2ndThursdays.



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
 Management and Tech Consulting: http://www.whcusa.com 
Check out my podcast: http://www.anchor.fm/whcusa