Blog / News

COVID-19 Financial Resources
March 25, 2020, Anne Arundel Chamber of Commerce
If you are a Maryland-based business impacted by the Coronavirus with under 50 full- and part-time employees, or a Maryland manufacturer, check out the programs below to see if you qualify for assistance. Maryland Department of Commerce Maryland Small Business COVID-19 Emergency Relief Loan Fund– This $75 million loan fund (for for-profit businesses only) offers no interest or […]

Cash Flow Triage for Small Businesses during the COVID-19 Crisis
March 20, 2020, Anne Arundel Chamber of Commerce
The COVID-19 Crisis has caused widespread uncertainty in the economy and greatly disrupted normal business activity. We need to realize that there is going be financial pain for almost everyone. We must also realize that we are “all in this together” and must make sacrifices to get the economy moving forward. In order to this, […]

Resources to Help Your Business During COVID-19 Crisis
March 13, 2020, Anne Arundel Chamber of Commerce
In the midst of all the financial and medical uncertainty, we are all making adjustments to our personal and business activities. The Chamber wants to provide information that can be helpful as you navigate through the challenges posed by the COVID-19 crisis. First and foremost, follow the guidelines put out by the Center for Disease […]

Sales Tax Voted Down…Now What?
March 5, 2020, Anne Arundel Chamber of Commerce
The debate over funding for the educational reforms proposed by the Kirwan Commission is in full force. On Monday, March 2nd the House of Delegates held hearings on HB 1628, a bill that would impose a new 5% sales tax on services. The hearing attracted hundreds of concerned business owners and other stake holders who […]

Do Not Expand the Sales Tax
February 26, 2020, Anne Arundel Chamber of Commerce
Oppose HB 1628! The Chamber is very concerned about House Bill 1628: Sales-and-Use Tax, Rate Reduction and Services—a bill that would shift the tax burden to Maryland businesses while driving up costs for all consumers. This piece of legislation would lower the sales tax from 6% to 5% but would expand that 5% sales […]

Show Me the Money!
February 19, 2020, Anne Arundel Chamber of Commerce
The Blueprint for Maryland’s Future Fund The debate about the recommendation of the Kirwan Commission continues to dominate a large portion of the legislative session. The issue of quality education is vital to help create a strong pool of workers for Maryland businesses. At the same time, there is a need for stable economic conditions […]

State of the State and Education Reform
February 5, 2020, Anne Arundel Chamber of Commerce
Today, Governor Hogan will give the annual State of the State Address to the General Assembly. In this address, the Governor will outline his key legislative and policy priorities. It is widely expected that he will dedicate a significant portion of the address to the public education reforms proposed by the Kirwan Commission. In 2020, […]

Help for Small Businesses, Funding for City Dock and New Taxes
January 29, 2020, Anne Arundel Chamber of Commerce
When the General Assembly is in session you can count on a lot of legislative activity and lets not forget that the Annapolis City Council and County Council are still meeting twice a month as well. So far 511 bills have been introduced in the State Senate and 675 in the House of Delegates. Some […]

How to Pay for Kirwan?
January 22, 2020, Anne Arundel Chamber of Commerce
General Assembly Wants to Tax Digital Advertising Last year, Kirwan Commission issued a report along with recommendations to improve public education in Maryland. Over the next four years, it is estimated that the cost of implementing these recommendations will be $4 billion. The General Assembly is looking for ways to fund these recommendations including putting […]

Ordinance 68-19 “Can’t See the Forest Through the Trees”
October 31, 2019, Chamber Admin
The Anne Arundel County Council continues to review and debate an ordinance that was developed by the Pittman Administration that would change the regulations and fee structure of forest conservation for land development throughout the County. There is general agreement that there should be an update to the existing forest conservation regulations, the legislation as […]