March 1, 2018
BREAKING NEWS! 

Maryland's First Lady Yumi Hogan to Attend our Women's Leadership Conference!
We are just  ONE WEEK AWAY  from our  2018 Women's Leadership Conference ,
HERStory: Leading Women to Greatness, and we couldn't be prouder of this year's lineup of speakers including:
  • Laura Gamble, Regional President, PNC Bank
  • Margaret B. Davis, President & CEO, Maryland Hall
  • Sharon Pinder, CEO/President, Capital Region Minority Supplier Development Council
  • Holly Shook, Executive Director, CUPs Coffeehouse & Project I Can
  • Lisa Cines, CPA, CGMA, Director of Business Development, Radius
  • Kate Hetherington, Ed.D.President, Howard Community College
  • Elizabeth Edsall Kromm, Ph.D. M.Sc., VP, Population Health and Advancement, Howard County General Hospital
  • Sallie Sweeney, Principal Cyber Solutions Architect, GDIT
  • Debra Cruz, Managing Partner, Levin & Gann Law
  • Susan Brown, Laboratory Ombudsman, Johns Hopkins Applied Physics Laboratory
  • Major General Linda SinghMaryland National Guard
  • Jane CampbellDirector of Washington Office for Advocacy, National Development, Former First Female Mayor of Cleveland
  • Laurie Moe Buckhout, Colonel (Ret.) US Army, President/CEO Corvus


  LEGISLATIVE ACTION UPDATE
INTRODUCING BIPAC!

We are very excited to launch the newest tool in our Legislative Action toolkit, BIPAC! Through our partnership with BIPAC, we have created a site devoted to keeping you updated on the issues you care about most in Howard County, Annapolis and beyond.

The new site, found here, offers information about your elected officials, current races, voting information, a summary of the bills the Chamber is following, and where we stand on those issues. The site also includes our  own Calls to Action to help you reach your legislators about the issues that matter most, when it counts!
WHO'S RUNNING FOR WHAT IN HOWARD COUNTY

It's official! We now have two candidates challenging incumbant Allan Kittleman in the race for Howard County Executive. There are also 16 candidates vying for the five County Council seats. You can find a list of all of the candidates below and website or contact information for each of them.

HOWARD COUNTY EXECUTIVE RACE
Allan Kittleman (R) - www.kittleman.com
Calvin Ball (D) - www.VoteCalvinBall.com
Harry Dunbar (D) - SlowGrowthDunbar@gmail.com

COUNTY COUNCIL RACES
Raj Kathuria (R) - District 1 - www.vote4raj.com
Elizabeth 'Liz' Walsh (D) - District 1 - walshforone@gmail.com
Jon Weinstein (D) - District 1 - www.Vote4Jon.com

John Liao (R) - District 2 - jliao2012@icloud.com
Opel Jones (D) - District 2 - www.opeljones.com

Hiruy Hadgu (D) - District 3 - www.hiruyhadgu.com
Steven Hunt (D) - District 3 - www.stevehunt4hoco.com
Greg Jennings (D) - District 3 - jenningsforhowardcounty@gmail.com
Christiana Rigby (D) - District 3 - christiana@christianarigby.com

Lisa Kim (R) - District 4 - www.lisakim.com
Deb Jung (D) - District 4 - www.votedebjung.com
Ian Bradley Moller-Knudsen (D) - District 4 - ian.knudsen.campaign@gmail.com
Janet Siddiqui (D) - District 4 - www.janetsiddiqui.com

Jim Walsh (R) - District 5 - www.walsh4hoco.com
David Yungmann (R) - District 5 - www.davidyungmann.com
China Williams (D) - District 5 - www.chinawilliams.com

You can find all of the candidates listed on the State Board of Elections site here.
CALL TO ACTION ON MINIMUM WAGE 

The fight against HB0664 is not over. Last week we told you about our opposition to HB0664, also known as the Fight for Fifteen bill,  because we are gravely concerned about the negative impact a $15 minimum wage would have on Maryland's businesses, workforce and citizens most in need. There is widespread concern that raising the minimum wage would deter job creation and business expansion as well as an increase in consumer cost. This week, the Chamber testified in opposition to the bill at a hearing, but no decision has been reached yet.

Instead of raising the minimum wage, we support initiatives that advance workers out of minimum wage jobs in which they were never meant to make their living. We also believe a better solution involves investing in education, training and workforce development programs, apprenticeship programs and trades.

Once again this week, we strongly urge you to contact your legislators in the House of Delegates and State Senate today and ask them to vote against HB0664 and oppose a minimum wage increase to $15. Y ou can find contact information for each of the legislators representing Howard County in the House of Delegates below.

District 9
Senator Gail H. Bates (R) - gail.bates@senate.state.md.us
Delegate Robert L. Flanagan (R) -  bob.flanagan@house.state.md.us
Delegate Trent M. Kittleman (R) -  trent.kittleman@house.state.md.us
Delegate Warren E. Miller (R) -  warren.miller@house.state.md.us

District 12
Senator Edward J. Kasemeyer (D) - edward.kasemeyer@senate.state.md.us
Delegate Eric D. Ebersole (D) -  eric.ebersole@house.state.md.us
Delegate Terri L. Hill (D) -  terri.hill@house.state.md.us
Delegate Clarence K. Lam (D) -  clarence.lam@house.state.md.us

District 13
Senator Guy J. Guzzone (D) - guy.guzzone@senate.state.md.us
Delegate Vanessa E. Atterbeary (D) -  vanessa.atterbeary@house.state.md.us
Delegate Shane E. Pendergrass (D) -  shane.pendergrass@house.state.md.us
Delegate Frank S. Turner (D) -  frank.turner@house.state.md.us
  CHAMBER NEWS
WE'RE GOING TO ICELAND!

Join us on our tour of Iceland, a land of geysers, glaciers, volcanoes and rich history. Iceland is an otherworldly place where forces of nature have created a landscape that allows you to swim in geothermal heated pools, trek across a mossy lava field, or drive over an icy glacier all in one day.

ICELAND TRIP INFORMATION SESSION
March 27, 2018 - 5:30 - 7:30 p.m.
Grotto Pizza
7075 Minstrel Way
Columbia, MD 21046
2018 Annual Legacy Partners
2018 Annual Benefactor & Leader Partners
 CHAMBER MEMBER NEWS
WELCOME NEW MEMBERS!!!

We are so proud to welcome the following new Chamber members this week!
Happy Anniversary!!!

The following organizations joined the HCCC this week in history!
  • Aerotek, Inc. - 6 Year Anniversary
Commercial Energy Co-op Spring Enrollment is here!!!

Even though it doesn't always feel like it just yet, Spring is right around the corner and we are in the middle of our Spring Enrollment Campaign for our Commercial Energy Co-Op with partner CQI Associates!

If you are already enrolled in the program, but will be up for renewal this year, you have until March 2nd (TOMORROW!) to submit the current Letter of Authorization to make sure you are locked in to the best available rates! You can also find out more about the program here.
Howard County Seeking Nominations for Excellence in Programs for Children

Know someone or an organization who has made a positive impact on the lives of Howard County children? Howard County Executive Allan Kittleman and the Howard County Office of Children and Families wants to hear from you as they evaluate nominees for the 19th annual  "Celebrating Successes for Children" awards program.

Nominations are due by Friday, March 2nd!
 
Join Chamber President McClarty at HCPSS' Academy of Finance Spring Conference 

The Howard County Public School System's Academy of Finance Program is looking for two speakers from the tech world to volunteer at this year's Spring Conference on March 12th at Howard Community College. The Chamber's own President & CEO, Leonardo McClarty is serving as the keynote speaker this year.

If you are interested, please contact Maddy Halbach from the Academy of Finance at 410-313-6998.

Help Leadership Howard County by Filling Out A Quick Survey 

A group in the current Leadership Howard County class is conducting research for a Community Impact Project to benefit cultural diversity.  Please take a few minutes and complete the following survey.  Thank you in advance!

Gauging Marketing Demographics: Inclusion and Representation

Regardless of the size of your business, the importance of identifying your consumer demographic is the driving force behind all marketing strategies, but what do you do when you discover that you are completely missing the mark on a potentially profitable margin?

March 9, 2018 - Noon - 1:30 p.m.
Maryland Center for Entrepreneurship 
9250 Bendix Road
Columbia, MD 21046
Howard County Library Elkridge Branch Grand Opening

Join the Howard County Library System for the Grand Opening of the new Elkridge Branch featuring double the space, more study rooms, more meeting rooms, a business center and more computers.

March 10, 2018 - 9:30 a.m. - 4 p.m.
HCLS Elkridge Branch
6540 Washington Blvd.
Elkridge, MD

Read more
21st Annual Chocolate Ball

The Arc of Howard County is now accepting sponsorships and reservations for their annual Chocolate Ball.

March 10, 2018 - 7 p.m. - Midnight
Turf Valley Resort
Ellicott City, MD 21042

Read more
Volunteers Needed for HCPSS's Workforce Development Program

On March 23rd, more than 150 local high school students need your help! The students will be participating in practice job interviews as part of the Howard County School System's Workforce Development Program, Passport to the Future.

March 23, 2018 - 8 a.m. - Noon
Howard Community College
Duncan Hall/Kittleman Room

 IN THE LOOP
Ellicott City Watershed Master Plan Public Workshop #4

A fourth public workshop has been announced to discuss the Ellicott City Watershed Master Plan.

March 22, 2018 - 7 - 9 p.m.
Roger Carter Community Center
3000 Milltowne Drive
Ellicott City, MD
job_fair_chalkboard.jpg
Congressman Elijah Cummings 2018 Annual Job Fair

Join Congressman Elijah Cummings for his 21st Annual Job Fair at Morgan State University

April 9, 2018 
9 a.m. - 2 p.m.
Morgan State University
Hill Field House
1700 E. Cold Spring Lane
Baltimore, MD 21251

Export Management Bootcamp for Industry Professionals

The Center for Global Business at the University of Maryland is hosting its second annual Export Management Bootcamp for Industry Professionals. The two-day bootcamp is designed to help prepare professionals to export their products or services internationally.

April 20 & 21, 2018
University of Maryland BioPark
Building 2, Suite 100
801 West Baltimore Street
Baltimore, MD 21201


Join a Committee at the Howard County Chamber of Commerce

Interested in getting more involved with the Chamber? 

Sign up today for any of the following committees:
  • Ambassadors
  • GovConnects
  • Holiday Party
  • Legislative
  • Membership
  • Signature Events
  • YPN

Contact info@howardchamber.com to join a Howard County Chamber of Commerce Committee today!   


 


 





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