Baltimore City Chamber of Commerce Members and Friends,
Summary: In this message, I highlight: events and resources; contract opportunities; funding opportunities; health care options; 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.
First, thank you to everyone who connected with me on social media! I share information and resources every day, so let’s get connected. Plus, it’s my birthday week, so send me a message on Facebook: Chamber / Me or LinkedIn: Chamber / Me.
Second, thank you to everyone who joined us for our virtual General Membership Meeting last Thursday. We always have our General Membership Meeting on the first Thursday of the month at 6pm. This upcoming Thursday and every 2nd Thursday, we invite you to wear your logo, mingle and network at our 2nd Thursday Virtual Happy Hour. This event is open to all! Click here to register!
Third, we are recruiting for our next CEO Roundtable cohort. The sessions will be led by Chamber Member, Allan Hirsh. If you are interested in learning more, read the description in the events section below and then email Allan at allan@allanhirshadvisors.com.
Fourth, special thanks to KOLMAC, Goldman Sachs, Office Depot, Bellevue University and Chamber Member, Anne Hilb at Graymake for submitting some great online events and opportunities. Scroll down to learn more. Members, if you have something you’d like added to next week’s message, email me at willholmesconsulting@gmail.com. Members, as always, keep telling me what you need so I can assist. We are growing because we are delivering on your requests. So, keep them coming. I am here to help.
Fifth, despite the economic downturn, the Baltimore City Chamber has continued to grow in numbers. If you want to be a member, first, think about what you want the Chamber to do for you and then email me at willholmesconsulting@gmail.com to discuss how we can make that happen. Our growth strategy is simple. If I give you what you need, you’re a happy Member and you’ll probably tell your friends. I look forward to speaking with you about membership.
Keep reading for this week’s Opportunities, Events and Information!
OPPORTUNITIES
LOANS AND GRANTS
Baltimore Together
The Mayor’s Office recently announced the COVID-19 Small Business Assistance Initiative, which establishes the COVID-19 Small Business Task Force, a public-private partnership, and a $5.5 million fund to provide financial assistance to small businesses. $15,000 grants are available now! More information about the initiative can be found here.
Department of Treasury
Read more about the current process for qualifying for loans and grants from the Federal programs.
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 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.
ASSISTANCE FROM AND FOR MEMBERS
From Office Depot for Members
We hope you and your family are doing well in the midst of the COVID-19 crisis. As many states, including Maryland, are starting the re-opening process, we want to make sure you are aware that we are open and here to assist you. We offer a wide variety of products and services to assist with keeping both your employees and visitors to your location safe. In addition to cleaning supplies, we also offer many furniture, print and technology solutions specifically related to opening and operating safely in the new normal. Call me to discuss your plans to re-open, and how I can best assist you. Please share this with anyone in your circle who may find this information useful, and do not hesitate to reach out if you have any questions. Contact Michele Golden at 703.304.4115 or Michele.Golden@OfficeDepot.com.
From KOLMAC, Support for Behavioral/ Mental Health Professionals
We believe that it is vital for us to come together and set aside the things we may not agree upon in order to preserve ourselves and our communities. We must grow together in new ways, while also being a safe space for professionals to support each other through these trying times. Please join KOLMAC for our weekly Virtual Support Meeting. This offering is open to any professional working in the behavioral/ mental health field. When/ Where: Every Thursday, 8:00 PM EST. For log on information, contact Chamber Member, Maile Simms at at msimms@kolmac.com
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
Free Goldman Sachs 10,000 Small Businesses program
Applications are now open for the next cohort! Are you a Business Owner who has been in business at least 2 years? Do you have at least 2 employees? Learn more about this free training program that has helped over 60% of its scholars increase revenue within 6 months of graduation at https://www.10ksbapply.com/Baltimore
5/11/20
Graymake
Reach! Mastermind Group for Mid-Level Professionals
Mastermind groups are often targeted towards Executive level Corporate professionals truly seasoned in their careers or purely designed for entrepreneurs and traditionally range in cost from $3k- $50k. In order to increase accessibility and improve the pipeline of bold, benevolent, business leaders across industry, Reach! is designed for those still reaching to make their way up the rungs of the invisible ladder and provide a support system of peers, whose hands they might reach out to for support along the way. This pilot is particularly important to kick off during this time when mid-level professionals are feeling squeezed due to the pressures of balancing all aspects of life with work. Applications are due May 11th, but we will accept on a rolling basis. Sessions begin May 22nd. Please contact ahilb@graymake.com with any questions.
5/13/20 and 5/27/20
Graymake
Virtual Workshop: Exploring Uncertainty Together, Apart
A 2-part virtual workshop to explore how uncertainty impacts us personally and professionally. The objectives: 1. Participants will increase their confidence in facing uncertainty in various realms of their lives. 2. Participants will experience an interactive community setting through which they can explore the challenges of living with the unknown and discover ways to embrace that challenge. 3.Participants will leave with tools and take-aways for embracing uncertainty now and in the future. Please contact ahilb@graymake.com with any questions.
5/14/20 at 6pm
Baltimore City Chamber of Commerce Virtual Happy Hour
May Virtual Happy Hour! Open to all. Wear your logo and be ready to mingle and network. Click here to register!
5/18/20
Graymake
Virtual Workshop: Bias Uncovered
I’m biased and you are too. The good news is, we can actively decrease our biases by becoming more aware of them. Learning objectives: 1. Recognize when unconscious bias occurs and why it’s important to understand. 2. Explore how unconscious bias has a negative effect in an organizational context. 3. Identify three strategies to counteract potential unconscious bias. Please contact ahilb@graymake.com with any questions.
5/20/20
Join Bellevue University for a special, online event!
Register for a live, online information session to learn more about Bellevue University, a partner of Baltimore City Community College. Meet your local Bellevue University representative, Debra Vines who will cover some of the most popular topics for students such as transfer credits, cost, and our 100% online degree programs. For more information, contact Debra Vines at devines@bellevue.edu.
5/22/20
CEO Roundtable
The Baltimore City Chamber of Commerce is excited to announce the return of the CEO Roundtable hosted and facilitated by Allan Hirsh of Allan Hirsh Advisors. The CEO Roundtable is an opportunity for established business members of the Chamber to take the next steps in growing their business and work through issues, opportunities and challenges. The cost is free for members and will be in a mastermind format. The Cohort meets once per month beginning May 22, 2020 via Zoom. The sessions will be held on the 4th Friday of the month ending in August 2020. The program is most appropriate for organizations that have been in business for at least 2 years, have at least 3 employees and have annual revenues of at least $125,000. If you are interested, please reach out to Allan Hirsh directly by email at allan@allanhirshadvisors.com or by telephone at 443-831-8935.
6/4/20
Graymake
Virtual Workshop: Bias Uncovered
I’m biased and you are too. The good news is, we can actively decrease our biases by becoming more aware of them. Learning objectives: 1. Recognize when unconscious bias occurs and why it’s important to understand. 2. Explore how unconscious bias has a negative effect in an organizational context. 3. Identify three strategies to counteract potential unconscious bias. Please contact ahilb@graymake.com with any questions.
6/18/20
Graymake
Virtual Workshop: Exploring Uncertainty for Forward Thinking Leaders
A virtual workshop for forward-thinking leaders to explore uncertainty in their work with peers and leave with practical tools. Participants will: 1. Reflect on their experiences with uncertainty, particularly during global pandemic, and understand how other forward-thinking leaders are grappling with these challenges 2. Examine how transparency, clear communication, and trust-building can be built and integrated among teams and organizations/businesses. 3. Leave with concrete tools for fair process, an approach that fosters a culture of inclusion and engagement around tough decisions, especially in times of significant uncertainty. Please contact ahilb@graymake.com with any questions.
INFORMATION FOR YOUR BUSINESS
Baltimore City Procurement Database- Interested in doing business in Baltimore? Click here to learn how you can be a city contractor.
Anne Arundel County Procurement Database- Anne Arundel County has their new contractor database up and running. This database will be a resource to all the agencies when looking for small businesses for procurement opportunities. The Anne Arundel County eProcurement system will be known as P.O.R.T. (Procurement Operations Resource Technology). Click here to learn more.
State of Maryland Procurement Database- EMMA is the new E Maryland Marketplace Advantage website for procurement opportunities. You can see contract opportunities and contact instructions to help you get connected to the right people. Click here to learn more.
MDOT Certification– Ever consider doing business with the State of Maryland? If you have plans to grow, the certification process could open up new opportunities for new revenue. Click here to learn more.
Baltimore Demographics- Ever wonder where to find info on demographics in Baltimore? Click here to see this summary by the Census Bureau.
Maryland Wealth- Interested in seeing stats on Maryland’s wealth and its tax revenue for each city and county? Click here to view the report from the Department of Legislative Services Office of Policy Analysis.
Connect with City Leadership- Want to attend a Board of Estimates meeting or Baltimore City Council meeting to hear from our elected officials? Check out the schedule at: http://www.baltimorecitycouncil.com/complete-calendar
U.S. Economy- Interested in how the U.S. economy is doing? Here is the most current information from the U.S. Bureau of Economic Analysis: https://www.bea.gov/news/glance
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
Web: http://www.baltimorecitychamber.org