 |
|
|
|
Greetings!
We hope you're enjoying your Summer and enjoying the many things Washington County has to offer this season! From the largest draw (over 20,000 at Antietam National Battlefield for the
Maryland Symphony Orchestra's "Salute to Independence"
) to Independence Day celebrations at the Hagerstown Fairgrounds (and even in your own back yards).
Last month, we finished a successful 2nd Annual Public Safety Awards, honoring Public Safety officials in a big way! Special thanks to those who took the time to cast their nominations and to those who were able to join us! Today, we're at Fountain Head Country Club! It's Commerce Cup time and we couldn't be more excited for another fun day!
We've also welcomed our new Office Coordinator, Ashley Palmer! Be sure to stop in and say hello when you're downtown, and of course you'll see her friendly face at our many upcoming events!
Your Chamber Team!
PAUL FREY, DONNA MITCHELL, TIM LUIPERSBECK, ROD IRISH
& ASHLEY PALMER
|
|
 |
Welcome Our New Members |
 |
|
13014 Pennsylvania Ave.
Hagerstown, MD
Burger King #11450
18234 Maugans Ave.
Hagerstown, MD
C&O Taco
22 N. Mill St.
Clear Spring, MD
301.991.7962
18725 N. Pointe Dr.
Hagerstown, MD
717.884.2942
EnsoStyle, LLC
13232 Fountain Head Rd.
Hagerstown, MD
240.405.2920
115 Brynwood St.
Hagerstown, MD
One Life Fitness
562 Northern Ave.
Hagerstown, MD
301.733.0980
|
|
Members Making News
|
|
|
Find Out What's New with Some of Our Members!
Hager's Crossing Model Home Opening in Hagerstown
|
|
Richmond American Homes of Maryland, Inc. a subsidiary of M.D.C. Holdings, Inc. (NYSE: MDC), is excited to announce the Grand Opening of the Pearl model home at the Hager's Crossing community. Prospective homebuyers and area agents are invited to attend the Grand Opening event on July 14, 2018, from 12 to 4 p.m. The celebration will feature lunch from Appalachian Smokehouse BBQ, family activities, model home tours and the chance to win a Ring™ Video Doorbell. There will also be a Chamber of Commerce Ribbon Cutting Ceremony at 1:30 p.m.
The two-story Pearl floor plan is a part of the popular Seasons Collection, and offers 3 to 5 bedrooms, 2.5 to 3 bathrooms and approximately 2,390 square feet. Prospective home-buyers will appreciate the private study, flexible loft space and included granite counter tops, washer and dryer.
Hager's Crossing features new single-family homes from the mid $200's, 3 to 6 bedrooms and up to approximately 2,660 square feet, community pools, fitness room, basketball court, soccer field and playground, minutes from downtown Hagerstown and Hagerstown Premium Outlets, and within walking distance of dozens of shops and restaurants, with easy access to I-70 and I-81. |
Dancing With the Arc Stars Slated Again for October, Announces Lineup of Dancers
|
The 7th Annual "Dancing With the Arc Stars!" celebrates the fundraising efforts of the participants for
The Arc of Washington County on Saturday, October 13th at Hager Hall Conference and Event Center. Festivities begin at 6pm with cocktail hour featuring a dance exhibition by students from Ballet and All That Jazz! Dinner and the big dance competition begins at 7.
The dances are...
Our very own Director of Member Services
Tim Luipersbeck, partnered with
Michelle Horst, Anchor/Reporter for WDVM, Hagerstown, MD.
Team 2 consists of
Ryan Smetzer of
Alpha Media and
Allyson Bowers, Teacher at Old Forge Elementary School. Team 3 consists of Chamber Members
Ryan Chapin, Co-Owner of
HeartyPet, Inc. and
Monika Wertman, Owner of
Wertman Photography.
|
Antietam Broadband and OnTrack Join Forces
|
Antietam Broadband
and
OnTrack
announced a multi-year partnership to support the mission of OnTrack whose focus is to build an educated workforce. Antietam will donate $150,000 in cash and in-kind over the next three years. Antietam Broadband will deploy a full slate of marketing, social media and video support to promote the work of OnTrack in Washington County.
"As a growing technology company in Washington County we're interested in supporting organizations that prepare our future employees, said
Brian Lynch
, President of Antietam Broadband. "To be competitive Washington County must embrace and support initiatives that will develop the skills for tomorrows workforce", said Lynch. "We recognize a growing national skills gap as technology impacts our economy, and the need for the business community to take an active role in developing our future workforce."
OnTrack is a coalition of 37 community partners focused on creating an educational movement and a network of support from cradle to career. The goal is to empower citizens to acquire the educational or vocational training necessary for lifelong success.
"Antietam Broadband is not only a valued partner, but they have shown true leadership with their Challenge Grant. This grant will allow us to hire an Executive Director to enhance and expand the collective impact of our coalition on college and career readiness", said
Jim Kercheval
, Acting Executive Director of OnTrack.
|
Smith Elliott Kearns & Company, LLC Announces Staff Promotions
|
Smith Elliott Kearns & Company, LLC is pleased to announce the following promotions in the Hagerstown office.
Alex P. Courtney promoted to Senior Associate: Alex provides individual and business tax preparation, accounting services, and financial statement preparation service. He graduated from Shippensburg University with a bachelor's degree in accounting and is currently working toward a master of Accounting at Wilson College.
Brianne R. Dickinson
provides audit services to non-profit and for-profit entities, as well as ERISA audit services. She earned a bachelor's degree in accounting and business administration with concentrations in economics and finance from Lock Haven University of Pennsylvania.
Juliette M. Wallace
provides tax and accounting services to clients in a variety of industries. She graduated from Mount St. Mary's University with a bachelor's degree in accounting.
Paul P. Previti
provides tax, payroll, and financial statement processing services. He earned a bachelor's degree in accounting from University of Maryland University College.
Smith Elliott Kearns & Company, LLC (SEK&Co) is a full-service certified public accounting and consulting firm with offices in Hagerstown, Maryland; and Camp Hill, Carlisle, Chambersburg, Hanover, and York, Pennsylvania. The firm was founded in 1963 and was recently named a "Top 200 Firm" by
Inside Public Accounting. With 25 Members and a total staff of 150, SEK&Co services individuals as well as business clients in a variety of industries including construction, financial institutions, healthcare, local government, manufacturing, and nonprofit. The firm offers financial statement preparation, auditing and assurance services, small business accounting, tax and payroll services, QuickBooks® and Sage 50® training and consulting, tax return preparation and planning, estate planning and administration, business valuations, retirement plan design consulting, and third-party administration. For more information, visit
www.sek.com
.
|
Cardiac Catheterization Lab Awarded for a Third Time for High-Quality Care
|
Meritus Medical Center's cardiac catheterization lab has earned its third award since 2015 from the American Heart Association for consistent, high-quality care. The nationally recognized Mission: Lifeline® Silver Receiving Quality Achievement Award for 2018 was presented to the lab staff for its treatment of patients who suffer severe heart attacks.
Meritus Medical Center's cardiac cath lab treats approximately 136 STEMI or ST elevation myocardial infarction patients annually. This deadly type of heart attack is caused by a blockage of blood flow to the heart that requires timely treatment by restoring the flow as quickly as possible either by mechanically opening the blocked vessel or providing clot-busting medication. The team has a goal of a door-to-balloon - the treatment method to open the blocked vessel - time of 90 minutes for a STEMI patient, but has exceeded that by averaging 66 minutes per patient for door-to-balloon time during the last seven years.
According to the chair of the AHA's Mission: Lifeline® program, Meritus Medical Center's cardiac cath lab was recognized for "significant institutional commitment" and "following evidence based guidelines for timely heart attack treatment."
|
Women's Giving Circle Awards More Than $14,000 in Grants
|
The Women's Giving Circle, a component fund of the
Community Foundation of Washington County MD, Inc., awarded nine grants to thefollowing organizations in June:
Beacon House;
Boys & Girls Club of Washi
ngton County; Brooke's House; CASA, Inc. - Citizens Assisting & Sheltering the Abused; Girls Inc. of Washington County; Lasting Change; Salvation Army; Valor Ministries and Washington County Family Center. The Circle gave away $14,485 in grant money to the following nonprofit organizations that support its mission of improving the lives of women and their families in Washington County.
- Beacon House: $1,500 for Steam Works.
- Boys & Girls Club of Washington County: $1,500 for SMART Girls, a program that offers girls guidance on healthy attitudes and lifestyles.
- Brooke's House: $1,500 for an educational outreach program to the community on substance abuse.
- CASA, Inc. - Citizens Assisting & Sheltering the Abused: $1,500 to provide services to victims residing in their emergency shelter.
- Girls Inc. of Washington County: $3,500 for the Power of 1, a training program to raise awareness on human trafficking and exploitation.
- Lasting Change: $1,500 to help remodel the client group room.
- Salvation Army: $1,500 for the Women and Children's Emergency Shelter.
- Valor Ministries: $1,350 for Draped with Confidence Career Clothing and Guidance Initiative.
- Washington County Family Center: $1,035 to help offset costs associated with taking the GED or NEDP for women enrolled in their adult education classes.
The Women's Giving Circle launched in 2003 to encourage women to become more involved philanthropically in Washington County. It provides a unique opportunity for donors to promote and support programs and organizations that enable and empower women. One half of all yearly contributions go to work immediately through the granting process. The other half is secured in the endowment fund to ensure growth and perpetuity.
|
HCC Radiology Students Have 100 Percent Pass Rate for Certification Exams
|
|
Students in the Radiography Program at
Hagerstown Community College have achieved a 100 percent pass rate on their certification exams.
All HCC students in the 2018 radiography cohort passed the national certification exams for the 2017-2018 academic year.
The ARRT (American Registry of Radiologic Technologists) is a national exam required for technologists in the radiologic sciences. ARRT certification and registration is used to recognize individuals who are qualified to perform the role of a radiographer. Certification and registration requires satisfaction of certain professional standards in medical imaging. Employers, state licensing agencies, and federal regulators all consider an ARRT credential to be verification that graduates have met rigorous professional standards. For more information about HCC's Radiology Program, visit
HERE.
|
Something exciting and/or notable happening within your company? Has someone done something remarkable and you think it should be shared with our extensive list of newsletter recipients? Simply excited about an upcoming event?
We're here to help you get the word out!
Chamber Newsletter!
|
|
Call for Graphic Designer |
|
|
|
|
Upcoming Chamber Events |
|
|
Register for one of these upcoming Chamber functions!
|
|
Maximize Your Membership
Thursday, July 19th - 9:00am - 10:00am
Chamber of Commerce Training Room, Hagerstown, MD
|
|
|
|
Business After Hours
Hosted by BIG Cork Vineyards
CHAMBER PRIZE DRAWING: $3,500
Tuesday, July 24th - 5:00pm - 7:00pm
|
|
|
|
Coffee & Connections
Wednesday, July 25th, 7:30 - 9:00am
Washington County Chamber of Commerce
|
|
|
|
Meritus Health Presents:
Eggs & Issues with "Washington Goes Purple"
Wednesday, August 1st, 7:30 - 9:00am
|
|
|
|
2018 Minority & Women-Owned Business Conference
Thursday, August 9th, 7:30am - 12 Noon
Hager Hall Conference & Event Center
|
|
REGISTRATION INFO COMING SOON
|
|
|
BEP Corner |
|
|
A contribution from our Business and Education Partnership Committee, brought to you by:
Mary Ellen Waltemire, of One Step Closer Coaching
Every Student a Future, Every Business a Success...
As Chamber members, we strive to keep our business thriving and look forward to future success. That success depends on the education and engagement of our employees and what better way to insure that students understand our business environment then to tell them about it!
We recognize that nearly every good job requires some post-secondary education and /or training - such as an associate's or bachelor's degree, certificate, license or completion of an apprenticeship or significant on-the-job training. A study by CareerBuilder.com found that 27% of employers raised their educational requirements in the past five years, largely because they reported getting a better return on investment from their college educated employees, when compared to workers with just high school diplomas.
Unless our county students have a better understanding of careers, what it takes to qualify them and begin preparing for them now, many will end up in low-paying jobs with little chance for advancement- all at a time when the need for qualified, highly skilled workers has never been greater.
The Chamber Business Education Partnership (BEP) Committee is partnering with the
Maryland Business Roundtable for Education to provide training for you and/or someone from your company to learn the importance of connecting with and presenting to students in our middle and high schools. Our plan is to provide training in September for individuals to be ready for classroom presentations in October through April. Our local Speakers Bureau will be an excellent way to help our future workers and leaders better understand what decisions about coursework will prepare them for the workplace. Won't you consider being part of this Chamber initiative? Contact the Chamber office and let Donna know of your interest so we can keep you informed of training details. Your investment of time in this program will make a significant difference in our community.
|
|
Upcoming Ribbon Cuttings |
|
|
Join Us for These Fun Celebrations!
Hager's Crossing (Richmond American Homes)
Join the team from Richmond American Homes for a community event featuring tours of their newest model homes at Hager's Crossing, complete with access to a fitness center and pool! Plus, enter to win an Amazon Ring Camera Home Security System.
Saturday, July 14, 1:30pm
12502 Olivine Court
Hagerstown, MD
Colonial Bar & Grill
Join us, along with local elected officials, Chamber members, and community alike as we celebrate the grand re-opening of the newly revamped Colonial Bar & Grill! This event, complete with a chance to meet your owners and staff, will also feature some menu highlights and your chance to enjoy an early start to your Friday evening.
Friday, July 20, 4pm
14130 Pennsylvania Ave.
Hagerstown, MD
Sprint - Maugans Ave.
Join us for this grand re-opening event with our friends at Sprint as they celebrate their remodeled retail location! Then, stick around as they host Business After Hours!
Thursday, August 16th - 4:30pm
18634 Maugans Ave.
Hagerstown, MD
Are you within a year of opening your doors and would like the Chamber's help hosting a ribbon cutting?
|
|
| |
|
|
|
|
About Us |
|
Washington County Chamber of Commerce members include more than 600 organizations, representing over 40,000 local jobs in a wide variety of industries: Retail, Manufacturing, Healthcare, Skilled Trades, Service and Hospitality, Technology, Government, Nonprofit, and Education.
We can't wait for our next opportunity to work with you, and
for you!
Washington County Chamber of Commerce
1 South Potomac Street
Hagerstown, Maryland 21740
Washington County Chamber of Commerce
(301) 739-2015
|
|
|
