Welcome Message from Montgomery County Chamber of Commerce Board Chair Lowell Yoder of M&T Bank8/11/2022
In June, Montgomery County Chamber of Commerce Board Chair Lowell Yoder (Executive Vice President, Greater Washington Corporate Banking, M&T Bank) was reelected for a third consecutive term. He commented, "Thank you for electing me to serve as the Chair of the Montgomery County Chamber of Commerce Board of Directors for the third consecutive year. I'm proud of our Chamber's work, especially during these unprecedented times, and I'm optimistic about the change we will spark in the years to come."
In the video above he delivers a message to Chamber members, Montgomery County business owners, and other members of the Metro Maryland community, "The Montgomery County Chamber of Commerce welcomes all businesses, regardless of where in the world they are headquartered. From global hospitality giants like Marriott to small family-owned bakeries. From federal government contractors, to our nationally acclaimed regional hospitals, construction giants, and educational institutions. All are critical parts of our economic ecosystem and all equally deserving of our unwavering support." Interested in joining the Chamber? Membership in the Montgomery County Chamber of Commerce (MCCC) is a valuable tool for organizations that want to grow and succeed. Our leadership, advocacy, and connections provide unmatched opportunities for business and professional development for all full-time employees in your organization. Review our application here, and join a growing network of organizations dedicated to growth and success. Members of the Montgomery County Chamber of Commerce Board of Directors discuss the Chamber's role in advocating for Metro Maryland's business community.
Steven A. Robins, Esq., an MCCC Chair Emeritus from Lerch, Early & Brewer, Chtd. said, "the Chamber really looks out for your best interests. It's just a great way to get to know really good people and to get things done." Ann Sullivan, Founder of Madison Services Group, Inc., added, "We are not merely recipients of laws and regulations. We have a role in shaping them by engaging in advocacy so it's imperative that any Chamber understands the importance of it's Members of shaping it before it shows up on your doorstep." Andrew Bridge, Senior Vice President at EagleBank, highlighted how, "if you're in business, it's all being advocated by this Chamber, and no other Chamber does it the way we do it." MCCC attracts business leaders, because we are a network of progressive, future-focused business leaders. This starts with the leadership of our accomplished Board of Directors, who keeps MCCC on the path of sustainable growth. Members have valuable access to our leadership, advocacy, and connections, which provide unmatched opportunities for business and professional development. Interested in joining? Review our application here, and join a growing network of organizations dedicated to growth and success. On June 29, 2022, the Montgomery County Chamber of Commerce Board of Directors held a virtual forum for the three major candidates running for the Montgomery County Executive. Moderators:
Candidates:     The NOAA Small Business Industry Day event provided attendees with access to NOAA leadership, program and contract managers, and prime contractors via one-on-one matchmaking sessions. Welcome Lucas Payne, NOAA Acquisition and Grants Office, Small Business Specialist Opening Remarks Gigi Godwin, President and CEO, Montgomery County Chamber of Commerce Presentations Eric Olmstead, Branch Chief, NOAA Acquisition and Grants Office Jay Standring, Branch Chief, NOAA Acquisition and Grants Office Amy Kim, Area Director, Office of Government Contracting, Area 2, U.S. Small Business Administration  Eric Olmstead, Branch Chief, NOAA Acquisition and Grants Office  Jay Standring, Branch Chief, NOAA Acquisition and Grants Office  Amy Kim, Area Director, Office of Government Contracting, Area 2, U.S. Small Business Administration On June 16, 2022, the MCCC Legislative Affairs Committee and the MCCC Economic Development Committee, meeting jointly, received an economic development and business climate briefing from Montgomery County Council Vice President Evan Glass. Council Vice President Glass, who is finished his second term as an At-Large Councilmember, talked about a number of issues relevant to the business community in Montgomery County. They included his support for Thrive Montgomery 2050, which is an update to the County’s planning policy document. Council Vice President Glass also discussed issues such as transit oriented development, housing diversity, and climate change policies.  On Tuesday, June 14, 2022, the Montgomery County Chamber of Commerce’s Infrastructure and Land Use Committee met with Delegate Marc Korman. Delegate Korman represents District 16 in Montgomery County and is Chair of the Montgomery County House Delegation of the Maryland General Assembly. He is also Chair of the House Appropriations Committee’s Transportation & the Environment Subcommittee, giving him a great deal of responsibility for infrastructure and transportation policy for the State of Maryland. Delegate Korman shared his expertise on a variety of issues, including the federal infrastructure bill and what is means for Maryland. He also discussed priority transportation legislation during the recently completed 2022 Legislative Session, including legislation that requires the Maryland Transit Administration to establish individual investment programs to advance the Maryland Area Regional Commuter (MARC) Cornerstone Plan and other MARC improvements.  Dr. Anne Khademian, the Chair of the Economic Development Committee and Executive Director of the Universities at Shady Grove, led a discussion with the Economic Development Committee on April 6, 2022. USG 2.0 is a strategic plan to help shape the future direction of Montgomery County’s higher education center. Dr. Khademian focused her briefing on the USG 2.0 focus on Montgomery County’s workforce and the attraction and retention of talent. Dr. Khademian said that we are probably on the cusp of another industrial revolution and Montgomery County is a microcosm of the challenges that will be faced in the future. She estimated that 75 percent of regional jobs in the next decade will require a college degree and career ready employees who understand diversity, teaming, collaboration, critical thinking, and digital literacy. To address these challenges, USG is creating new avenues to develop career ready graduates and will continue to shift their focus to pathway programs such as certificates and specialized training. Pathway industries include stem and life sciences, allied health and wellness, public service, education and social sciences, business, and hospitality and communication.  On April 5, 2022, MCCC’s Infrastructure and Land Use Committee received a briefing from Chris Conklin, Director of the Montgomery County Department of Transportation (MCDOT). Mr. Conklin discussed Montgomery County’s transportation initiatives and priorities, including the proposal to fund the construction of two major Bus Rapid Transit projects. MCDOT has roughly 1,200 employees and receives $230 million in funding that is used to building and maintaining Montgomery County’s infrastructure. This infrastructure includes roads, paths, lighting, bus shelters, crosswalks, sidewalks, and drainage systems. Currently, there are 125 projects costing $245 million in the proposal capital budget. Long-term goals include transitioning the County’s 400 buses to zero emissions by 2035. Mr. Conklin said that he is also focused on three priority areas:
 On March 2, 2022, MCCC's Economic Development Committee received a briefing from Maryland Comptroller Peter Franchot. Comptroller Franchot, a former Montgomery County member of the House of Delegates, told MCCC members that Maryland's tax filing deadline was moved 90 days to July 15, 2022. The Comptroller said moving the date helps small businesses by essentially providing a short-term loan to taxpayers. Comptroller Franchot also discussed the State of Maryland's budget surplus. He urged policymakers to commit $2B to the Rainy Day Fund to buffer the State from future economic downturns. He also suggested that $1B be committed to infrastructure projects, $2B for low-wage Marylanders, $500 million for childcare, and $500 million to small businesses.  On March 8, 2022, the Montgomery County Chamber of Commerce’s (MCCC) Infrastructure and Land Use Committee met with Commissioner Carol Rubin of the Montgomery Planning Board. Ms. Rubin, who was appointed to her role on October 26, 2021, is the newest member of the Montgomery County Planning Board, which is part of The Maryland-National Capital Park and Planning Commission. MCCC supported Ms. Rubin’s appointment to the Planning Board and plans on doing so again when she is up for a full four-year term later this year. Ms. Rubin discussed her background, including extensive planning experience working as principal counsel in the Office of the General Counsel at M-NCPPC for 13 years. She sees the Planning Board as an economic development tool for Montgomery County. As an example, she discussed the recently passed biohealth priority campus ZTA, which she helped put together in her previous role. She also discussed the need to make Silver Spring a place where people want to walk, which calls for more ground floor retail to make the pedestrian experience more interesting. Regarding the Beltway and I-270 improvements, Ms. Rubin wants to see the project considered in its entirety instead of a project focused solely on the American Legion Bridge/I-270/I-495 phase.  |
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