Baltimore City Chamber of Commerce Members and Friends,
Summary: In this message, I highlight: updated 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.
I applaud you for your strength and tenacity during a very scary time. It is hard enough just being in business. But, with the added stress that comes with worrying about health risks to yourself, friends, family and co-workers, plus the fear of a halted economy; I appreciate all that you are doing to keep pushing forward. I have been in business for 15 years, and now 2 recessions, so I am with you.
As Chairman of the Board, my role and my desire is to help you get connected to resources, whether you are a Chamber Member or not. Let me know how you are doing and what you need. I am here to help. So, please respond to this message or send me an email at willholmesconsulting@gmail.com. Or, if you prefer, you can go directly to our Chamber webpage for listed resources. We keep it updated. We will also share the most updated resources at our May General Membership Meeting. All are invited to attend!
If you are a Procurement Officer reading this, please respond to this message with any opportunities that you may have for small businesses. Many small businesses are capable but unaware of contracting opportunities. If you share a contract opportunity or a link to your opportunities website, I will list it in next week’s message. Small businesses need to hear about your opportunities, so please share!
Hotels, restaurants and travel businesses! If you have some special offers, let me know so I can share them with my Members and the thousands of people in our network.
Special thanks to Anne Arundel County for consistently sharing their contract opportunities with us.
Also, I’d like to recognize Chamber Member, Words with Boards.They recently received a grant from the Baltimore Development Corporation and the Mayor’s Office that allowed them to pivot and start producing cotton masks to battle the COVID-19 pandemic. Their new website is qualitymasksupply.com. Let’s support them! Great job, Kim!
Here are this week’s Opportunities, Events and Information:
OPPORTUNITIES
ASSISTANCE FROM MEMBERS
Business Support
Chamber Member, Moshe Pelberg CPA, in private practice in Baltimore is A+ rated by the BBB, and is an Angie’s List Super Service awardee year since 2014. His practice focuses on supporting individuals and small businesses with tax compliance and planning, as well as general business financial support. Moshe is providing free basic support to Baltimore City Chamber of Commerce members that need help during the coronavirus situation. Contact him at moshepelbergcpa.com or 410-963-1247 for full details.
Business Support
Gross Mendelsohn is a local CPA, technology consulting and wealth management firm. Our goal during the pandemic has been to keep business owners, nonprofit leaders and families informed of all of the economic relief programs and benefits. Our COVID-19 Resource Center has a library of information to help businesses, families and nonprofits stay up-to-date during the COVID-19 pandemic. You can find content about the benefits of the various financial programs as well as articles about how our own staff is handling working remotely. If you have any questions about COVID-19 resources, reach out to Lisa at lcarmichael@gma-cpa.com to be connected to one of our CPAs.
Career Pivot
If you are looking for a career pivot or a new hire, Chamber Member, Steve Braun can help. With decades of experience recruiting and placing talented people, he knows what it takes to get the right people in the right positions. Plus, he has connections in a variety of industries across the country, including a new opportunity with Amazon. Contact Steve at sbraun@searchconsultants.org to discuss opportunities.
Business Recovery Post COVID-19
Johns Hopkins Medicine is hosting a town hall webinar on April 30th to discuss the economic outlook, the public health response and possible recovery strategies for Baltimore businesses. Click here to register for this free online event.
CONTRACTS
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). Here is the link: https://www.aacounty.org/departments/central-services/purchasing/P.O.R.T./index.html
Nurses
Anne Arundel County is in need of a medical staffing agency for 20+ nurses. If you are a staffing firm, sign up in the Anne Arundel County procurement system and then email phbrow22@aacounty.org for full details.
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.
Webinar for Those Seeking Employment
On May 8th, Humanity in HR will host a webinar with tips on steps you can take to find work in this job market. Click here to learn more.
Webinar for Employers
On May 8th, Humanity in HR will host a webinar for employers with tips on steps you can take to support your team in this market. Click here to learn more.
Webinar for Real Estate Investors
If you are looking for a pivot in your career, Chamber Member, Eddie Colson is giving a free webinar on Real Estate Wholesaling on May 7th. Click here to register.
Education
Looking for a new career? Take your Associate Degree to the Next Level! Bellevue University – a Baltimore City Community College partner, is offering a Bachelor of Business for $250 per credit hour! Do you have an Associate’s degree (in any discipline) or 60 college credits? Congratulations! You are able to pursue this amazing opportunity! 100% online curriculum starts in June 2020 and for only 49 credits, that’s less than $12,500 in tuition for a Bachelor’s degree! To learn more, contact Deborah Vines at debra.vines@bellevue.edu
HEALTH
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.
American Cancer Society
The American Cancer Society’s mission continues. We are closely monitoring the COVID-19 pandemic. The safety of our patients, survivors, volunteers, participants, supporters and staff is our top priority. While our offices are temporarily closed, staff and volunteers are working remotely to ensure that we continue our mission, and our cancer information specialists are available 24/7 at 1-800-227-2345. www.cancer.org.
Cancer doesn’t stop and neither do we! Register for Outrun Cancer 5K and 1 Mile Family Fun Walk and safely run, walk, hike, wherever you are, while supporting the American Cancer Society now-August. Register online at www.outruncancer.org. Use discount code RUNINPLACE for a $20 Registration. Make sure to share your photos, track your route and share! Be safe and stay active!
LOANS AND GRANTS
Department of Treasury
Read more about the process for getting loans and grants and all the Federal programs.
KIVA Loans
KIVA has funding options for businesses. Click here to learn more.
Short term loans for invoices and purchase orders…
If you have submitted an invoice for services or have a purchase order to fill but need funding now, learn more about WHC’s programs that can help.
FREE PROGRAMS
Free Goldman Sachs 10,000 Small Businesses program
Applications are now open for the last cohort of 2020. 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
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
5/7/20 at 6pm- May General Membership Meeting. Open to all. We’ll discuss resources, solutions and we’ll network. Click here to register.
5/14/20 at 6pm- May Virtual Happy Hour! Open to all. Wear your logo and be ready to mingle and network. Please save the date.
INFORMATION
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