Nominations, Admission Open for 2022 Awards May 16, 2022
On June 22, at the 2022 Awards & Installation Event, GSSCC will honor the newest inductees into its “Circle of Stars,” a select group of for-profit businesses that continue to make Silver Spring a better place to live, work, and run a business. The Circle of Stars recognizes companies that continue to do well through doing good, be it through service to the community, stewardship of local and global resources, and/or support of non-profit community organizations or causes.
The Chamber welcomes members to submit an application or nominate a fellow member company to be considered for this honor. Click here for the application form. Deadline for nominations is next Monday, May 23.
Admission is $80 for members until COB on Friday, June 10, when the price increases to $90. Admission for non-members is $100.
GSSCC Cuts Ribbon for J. Hollinger's Opening May 9, 2022
Taking advantage of a break in the persistent precipitation on Friday, May 4, GSSCC President & CEO Jane Redicker joined Owner Jerry Hollinger to celebrate the grand opening of J. Hollinger’s Waterman’s Chophouse with a ribbon cutting ceremony.
Redicker was also joined by Board Chair Bill Kominers, Lerch, Early & Brewer, Mel Tull, Lee Development Group, Austin Morris, representing Senator Chris Van Hollen, and County Executive Marc Elrich.
Located at 8606 Colesville Road, the restaurant features chophouse classics, a raw bar, fresh seafood, and hyper-seasonal local produce.
J. Hollinger’s is open for pick up and indoor dining from Monday to Saturday, 5 p.m. to 9 p.m. with breakfast and lunch options planned for the future.
Employers: Look for "Ban the Box" Information May 2, 2022
Montgomery County employers will finally receive official notice of and information about the amended "Ban the Box" legislation voted by Council in the midst of the pandemic. The critical amendment moved the time at which an employer may inquire about a prospective employee's criminal background. The original law allowed employers to ask at the conclusion of the initial interview; the new law prohibits questions about a candidate's criminal record until "after a conditional offer of employment" is extended.
The County Office of Human Rights (OHR) should have reached out to employers once the regulations were enacted. It issued a news release, but neglected to notify the business community. Only because GSSCC reached out the the County Executive's office after a member saw a bus advertisement providing candidates with a complaint line, did OHR develop information for employers. The flyer being sent to employers is linked here.
GSSCC Launches New Website May 2, 2022
The Chamber is proud to announce the launching of its new website. Visitors can now enjoy a streamlined user-experience featuring valuable Chamber information and engaging visuals. Though the website look has been upgraded, GSSCC members can still login into the Member Portal using their same username and password as before. Please contact Julie Pawlikowski or call the office with any questions: 301-565-3777. Explore the new website here: www.gsscc.org
2022 SchmoozaPalooza a Smashing Success April 25, 2022
Some 100 members and guests joined the festivities at last Thursday’s SchmoozaPalooza. Postponed from March 2020, SchmoozaPalooza 2022 was a triumphant return to large-scale in-person networking. Attendees enjoyed learning more about 20 member exhibitors, sampling tasty treats from five member restaurants, establishing new connections and relationships, and experiencing The Fillmore Silver Spring's fabulous venue.
GSSCC thanks its participating exhibitors and restaurants: All Set Restaurant & Bar; Argyle Country Club; Bankers Business Management Services; Cadia Healthcare; CCI Health Services; Community Bridges; CQI Associates; CREATE Arts Center; Dog Haus Biergarten Silver Spring; DoubleTree by Hilton Silver Spring Washington DC North; Elite Personnel; F45 Downtown Silver Spring; Fitness Together; J. Hollinger's | The Daily Dish; Law Offices of Tina Sharma; Matchbox Silver Spring; Montgomery Community Media; Montgomery County Commuter Services; Montgomery County Green Bank; NIH Federal Credit Union; Nothing Bundt Cakes; RISE Silver Spring; SECU Credit Union; Sip & Develop; Worksource Montgomery.
GSSCC Welcomes Peninsula Alternative Health April 11, 2022
GSSCC President & CEO Jane Redicker was honored to welcome Peninsula Alternative Health (12355 Georgia Avenue), a high-quality medical cannabis dispensary with a clinical focus and expert assistance, to the Chamber with a ribbon cutting and certificate presentation last Tuesday morning. Congratulations and welcome!
General Assembly Overrides Veto of Family Leave Bill April 11, 2022
On Saturday, April 9, the General Assembly voted to override Governor Hogan’s veto of some ten bills, including the Senate Bill 275 that imposes a new payroll tax to fund a family and medical leave program. As a result, employers and employees will pay a new State tax beginning on October 1 next year, so that the Department of Labor can begin collecting money for the program that won’t be available until January of 2025.
Senate Bill 275 will provide up to 12 weeks (up to 24 weeks in some cases) of partially paid leave each year. The bill does not specify the contribution rate (or the amount deducted from payrolls) and the cost-share between employers and workers, leaving that up to the Department of Labor to decide by the end of this year.
The General Assembly concludes its 90-day session tonight, with most of its work completed in the partisan veto overrides. Earlier in the session, lawmakers had passed their top priorities into law, many of which the Governor allowed to become law without his signature, including the Climate Solutions Now Act of 2022, which sets aggressive goals for reductions in greenhouse gas emissions in Maryland.
Look for a more complete legislative wrap up following the end of the session.
