January 16, 2018
Discovery's Decision a Loss AND an Opportunity
 
Along with all of our members, GSSCC was surprised and disappointed by Discovery Communications' announcement last week that the company will leave its Silver Spring base to consolidate operations in New York and other locations. The company was an integral piece of our revitalization some 15 years ago, and over the years, Discovery and its employees have contributed so much to the vitality of our business community and to the Silver Spring community at large. We will miss them, but we hope many of those employees remain here to take advantage of the many new opportunities that we believe will open.
 
We are optimistic about the future of Silver Spring. We have so much to offer - walkable Metro access, an educated workforce, convenient and desirable housing options to meet any budget, wonderful amenities like the AFI Silver Theater and The Fillmore, and of course, all of you, your businesses, and your employees.
 
Making sure that story resonates with and attracts Silver Spring's next successful business and employer is a top priority for your Chamber.  We have already taken steps to ensure it is a top priority for our County government and larger business community as well. 
 
GSSCC has arranged to meet with County Executive Ike Leggett and his top aides to secure their commitment to work with us to promote Silver Spring in a coordinated way.  And GSSCC has already spoken with the Montgomery County Economic Development Corporation and well as the Montgomery County Business Coalition (an organization of fellow Chambers and other business groups).  Both organizations have pledged their support in making sure that Silver Spring is at the very top of the list for any business seeking to relocate to or expand in Montgomery County.
 
Yes, Discovery move presents challenges for all of us.  But the company's decision also opens the door to an enormous economic development opportunity.  We are, after all, Silver Spring.  We're resilient, we've rebounded before, and we will once again.
YPN Beach Anniversary After-Hours on January 25

The Young Professional's Network will celebrate its third anniversary with a beach party themed after-hours event from 5:30 p.m. to 7:30 p.m. on Thursday, January 25, at Eggspectation (923 Ellsworth Drive).  This event is free for members and first time attendees.  Click here to log in and register.
Start Your Morning Building your Business Network

Join GSSCC for coffee and continental breakfast from 7:30 a.m. to 8:30 a.m. on Wednesday, January 31, hosted by  Soldierfit (12210 Plum Orchard Drive, Suite 206). Free for members and first time attendees, but pre-registration is required. Click here to log in and register.
 
     Seen at the Connect@Lunch at Copper Canyon Grill
Keller Shinholser, Apex Home Loans Inc. (far right corner) talks with other attendees before formal presentations at Copper Canyon Grill.
(L to R) Mikiko Land, Charles P. Johnson & Associates, Inc., Charmekia Martin, Patient First, Alma Washington, Oxford House, and Anne Terry, The Atlas Agency.
Dawn Gontkovic, All Set Restaurant & Bar, Stephan Jalon, Jalon Bookkeeping, LLC, and Abby Taylor, SEEC.
Market Your Business via Unique GSSCC E-Cast 

Have your email message delivered to the inboxes of more than 1,150 individuals on GSSCC's email list.  Market special promotions, share an upcoming event, drive traffic to your web site, or just let fellow members know about your organization.  GSSCC will send out one e-cast per month in 2018.  The cost is $200.  For more information contact Alison, 301-565-3777 or amclaughlin@gsscc.org.
Purple Line Construction Updates - Long Branch Area 

Purple Line Transit Partners has informed area businesses and residents that watereline relocation work continues along Arliss Street, noting that Washington Suburban Sanitary Commission will notify affected customers of any service interruptions that may occur. In addition, between January 23 and January 26, crews will begin erecting and commissioning the tower crane at Manchester Station, near Plymouth Street. Large trailers will be transporting necessary equipment for construction, which will require periodic, short-term closure of one lane on E. Wayne Ave. between of 9 a.m. and 3:30 p.m. For more information on construction activities, schedules, and other updates, visit www.purplelinemd.com/construction.  For immediate construction concerns, send an email to outreach@pltcllc.com or call the construction hotline at 240-424-5325.
* Patient First has moved its office from the Spring Center on 16th Street to 8206 Georgia Avenue, across from Fire Station 1 Restaurant.

* Kudos to  JK Moving  on its recognition by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency as a 2017 WasteWise Winner.  Click here to read the full press release.

* Congratulations to Phillip A. Hummel and Jeffrey R. Murphy on being promoted to the position of Partner in  Linowes and Blocher LLP, effective January 1, 2018.  To see the full press release, click  here .

* Massage Envy opened its doors on Monday, January 8, in its new location at 955 Wayne Avenue.  Congratulations to Wendy Muhammad, franchisee owner.  For more information, click here.

Lerch, Early & Brewe r elected Steven A. Robins chair of the firm's board and managing partner, effective January 1, 2018. Robins, who joined the firm in 2001, is a land use attorney who represents prominent national and regional developers and property owners in high-visibility projects predominantly throughout Montgomery County.  Read more here.

* All Set Restaurant & Bar and Urban Butcher are offering special menus and pricing as part of the Restaurant Association of Metropolitan Washington's restaurant week from January 22 to January 28.  Click here for more information.

* 12PointFive will host a free  Mentorship Roadshow: Women Mentoring Women from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. on Saturday, January 20, at Hera Hub DC (5028 Wisconsin Avenue, NW, Suite 100).  Click here  for more information.

Creative Colony  will host a free workshop  Creative Boost January: Slowing Down to Jump Forward in 2018  from 9:30 a.m. to 10:30 a.m. on Wednesday, January 24, at 8121 Georgia Avenue, Suite 600.  For more information and to register, click  here .

* Cornerstone Montgomery  will host an open house job fair from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. on Friday, January 26, at its Rockville location (2 Taft Court).  For more information, click here.
See your company's news here! GSSCC is pleased to highlight news from our member companies in this section of the weekly e-news. Please submit items via email to info@gsscc.org before close of business each Friday. Include a pdf of news releases or other flyers.
GSSCC Does Not Share Members' Contact Information 

In recent weeks, GSSCC has learned that some members have received calls from individuals soliciting contributions for a variety of "causes" and claiming that they were referred by the Chamber. This is not exactly true.  GSSCC never provides contact information to outside organizations for these or any other purposes.  Likely these individuals are getting member information from our online directory. So, while our online directory is effective in directing our members to the services offered by fellow members, it also becomes a source for non-members and anyone else who is soliciting. And, unfortunately folks using the directory are not completely honest about how they got our members' names and numbers. Please know that when the Chamber does refer your business to a potential customer, we will typically let you know about that referral.
Upcoming GSSCC Committee/Group Meetings

* Economic Development Committee Meeting - 9 a.m., Thursday, January 18. MC Dept. of Permitting Services to discuss proposed construction progress website.

* Membership Development Committee Meeting - 9 a.m. Tuesday, January 23
About GSSCC Committee/Team Meetings:  All GSSCC members are welcome to participate in Chamber committees. Members are welcome to attend committee meetings to assess interest in joining a committee. Meetings are typically held in the GSSCC Conference Room. Advance RSVP is required and priority will be given to existing committee members when speakers are scheduled.

  Thank you to our 2017-2018 GSSCC Partners
 
Corporate Partners - Downtown Silver Spring; Lee Development Group; Montgomery College; Statland & Katz Insurance, Inc.; Washington Adventist Hospital

 
Business Partners - AFI Silver Theatre; Apex Home Loans; Atlantech Online; Bud Miller Associates, Inc.; Digital Industry; Discovery Communications; EagleBank; Eggspectation; 
The Fillmore Silver Spring; Lerch, Early & Brewer Chtd.; Linowes and Blocher, LLP; M&T Bank; Revere Bank; The Tower Companies (The Blairs); United Therapeutics Corporation; Washington Property Company.

 
Partners - Adam Lowe Creative; Bell Flowers; Carlton Creative; EBA Ernest Bland Associates; IBI - Innovative Business Interiors; 
My Office Products; Signs By Tomorrow.
 
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