Commerce Notes

Caroline County Awards First COVID19 Small Business/Emergency Relief Grants

June 19, 2020 by Spy Desk Leave a Comment

On June 1, 2020 the County Commissioners and Economic Development announced $2.2 M in federal grant funding available for small businesses with disrupted operations due to COVID-19. In just 10 days, 37 applications have been received and $144,000.00 awarded during the first round of grant funding.

“It was very important to the Commissioners and Economic Development to get the grants processed and into the hands of the businesses as soon as possible” said Debbie Bowden, Director of Economic Development. “Our team worked tirelessly to process the applications as quickly as possible and get funds to the businesses that need support to protect them from further economic injury.”

L-R: Chris Dorr, Small Business Navigator, Caroline Economic Development, Nick Wake, Owner, Tenchi’ Gelin Wake, Owner, Tenchi’ Larry Porter, President, Caroline County Commissioners; and Debbie Bowden, Director, Economic Development.

Trenton Pipe Nipple Company in Federalsburg was one of the first businesses to apply and receive the funding. Since 1911, they have been serving the plumbing, industrial pipe, valve and fitting, irrigation supply, pipe and metal distribution, pool supply and pump supply industries and OEMs with custom fabrication. Over the years, Trenton Pipe Nipple Company has become one of the largest and most respected brass nipple manufacturers and master distributors of fittings and pipe in the United States. Stephen Holloway, Sr., President stated: “Our company has faced three very challenging months and as our economy starts to open up, we are seeing signs of some positive movement. Programs like the federal governments PPP loan and Caroline County’s small business relief grant have made a tremendous difference in assisting our company through this most difficult period.”

Front, L-R: Stephen Holloway Sr., President, Trenton Pipe, and Song Chang, Comptroller for Trenton Pipe. Back, L-R: Larry Porter, Pres., Caroline County Commissioners; Dan Franklin, VP, Caroline County Commissioners; Debbie Bowden, Director, Caroline Economic Devt. and Chris Dorr, Small Business Navigator, Caroline Economic Devt.

The Market Street Pub in Denton has been a constant presence in the downtown since 2008. Brian Tyler, Owner of the Pub said, “When COVID-19 began we had to shut our doors and lay off 16 employees. Carry out and outside dining has been a help to our bottom line, but we want to get back to our full service. This grant money is instrumental in our rebuilding process.”

Nick Wake and his wife Gelin opened their dream business, Tenchi Spanish American Kitchen in Greensboro in 2017. They have been invested in the community and downtown main street since day one. Nick Wake said, “On March 16^th our life, our business and our employee’s life changed. We have continued to try to serve our community as best we can under the new circumstances, but it has been a challenge. Receiving these grant dollars helps us financially to get back to doing what we love. We are grateful for the support.”

L-R: Debbie Bowden, Director, Caroline Economic Development; Brian Tyler, Owner, Market Street Public House; Larry Porter, President, Caroline County Commissioners and Chris Dorr, Small Business Navigator, Caroline Economic Development.

President Larry Porter, spoke on behalf of the Commissioners, “I want to thank our Economic Development and Finance teams for their herculean effort to get this program up and going so quickly. It was our pleasure to be able to award funds to the first recipients. We look forward to continuing to provide funds to keep our businesses and our county Caroline strong.”

Caroline County has a variety of businesses that have been impacted in some way by COVID19. These grants are intended to provide interim relief complementing actions with bank, business interruption insurance and financial partners. Grants awarded can be up to $20,000 and used to support payroll expenses, rent, mortgage payments, utility expense, or other similar expenses that occur in the ordinary course of operations. The grants are is intended to fill the gaps for those who did not qualify for federal assistance. Per Federal guidelines, if your business has received any Federal COVID-19 assistance you are not eligible for these grants.

Additional grant information is available at www.carolinebusiness.com Round two applications will open at 10:00 a.m. on June 29, 2020.

Qlarant Provides Funds to Charitable Organizations to Transform Healthcare

June 12, 2020 by Spy Desk

Qlarant Foundation, the mission arm of Qlarant, recently awarded grants totaling $340,000 to 16 organizations in Maryland and Washington, DC supporting local healthcare-related quality improvement efforts.

Applications from 77 highly qualified organizations were reviewed. Sixteen organizations were awarded grants ranging from $5,000 to $40,000. “These projects cover a large geographic area and address a wide range of medical and social issues,” said Dr. Molly Burgoyne-Brian, Chair of the Qlarant Foundation Board of Directors. “The efforts of these organizations greatly improve the lives of our most vulnerable populations.” Dr. Catherine Smoot-Haselnus, Chair of the Qlarant Board of Directors said, “Once again, it was very difficult to choose from such a highly qualified pool of applicants, especially given the impact of COVID 19 that has intensified the needs of these organizations. We are pleased to have the opportunity to support initiatives that improve the health of individuals and communities.”

We know the 2020-21 grantees are looking forward to getting acquainted and sharing information about their programs. In recognition of the need for social distancing, we are planning a “virtual” reception on July 15^th.

Qlarant Foundation funded the following programs for 2020-21:

Bay Hundred Community Volunteers – Implement a program to build modular wheelchair ramps for Talbot County residents with functional disabilities.

Breast Care for Washington, DC – Increase access to mammography screenings for women at a fixed site as well as in the mobile mammography unit regardless of their ability to pay.

Calvary Women’s Services – Expansion of the Holistic Health Program to educate women on physical and mental health issues.

Camp Attaway, Inc. – Operation of a Therapeutic Summer Program to assist at-risk children manage their emotions and behaviors as well as teach parents skills to manage these behaviors.

Deep Roots, Inc. – Surviving to Thriving, a comprehensive employment program designed to make families self-sufficient with the ability to move back into the community.

Eastern Shore Wellness Solutions, Inc. – A Community Health Outreach Workers Program in Caroline and Dorchester counties designed to improve health care access and health status for marginalized and underserved residents.

Girls in the Game – After School Program in Baltimore City for elementary and middle school girls addressing such issues as health, body image, bullying, personal safety and diversity.

Grace Center for Maternal and Women’s Health, Inc. – Expansion of Project H.O.P.E. (Holistic Opportunities for Prevention and Education) across the Delmarva Peninsula. The program focuses on providing critical assistance to moms and their children needed to address trauma, mental illness and addiction.

Helping Up Mission, Inc. – Access to Health Insurance Services and Oral Health Care Program for men and women experiencing substance use disorders, poverty and homelessness in Baltimore City.

Mid-Shore Pro Bono – Child Advocacy Program provides free legal representation for families and caregivers to ensure protection of children who are impacted by the opioid crisis.

Miriam’s Kitchen – Social Service Program provides nutritious meals in a dining room setting for the homeless, with doctors, nurses, psychiatrists, social workers and lawyers on hand to break down barriers and improve access to care.

Shepherd’s Clinic, Inc. – Primary Care Opioid Treatment Program in Baltimore City provides psychotherapy services, case management resources and psychoeducation sessions to uninsured residents.

Talbot County Empty Bowls – An independent, totally volunteer grassroots organization whose fund raising efforts provide support to ten food pantries in Talbot County.

Ulman Foundation – Residential program for adolescent and young adult cancer patients and caregivers at the Ulman House, which reduces the financial burden of these patients and allows them greater access to high quality care.

University Legal Services, Inc. – Jail and Prison Advocacy Project advocates for access to health care, mental health care, and comprehensive reentry support for District of Columbia adults with psychiatric disabilities and co-occurring substance use disorders who have been recently incarcerated in DC and in Federal Bureau of Prison facilities.

University of Maryland Medical System Foundation, Inc. – Received the annual Goldgeier Award for the University of Maryland Children’s Hospital Breathmobile Program, which provides free treatment and specialty based preventive care to underserved children with asthma in Baltimore City.

About Qlarant Foundation

Qlarant Foundation, the mission arm of Qlarant, is a national not-for-profit organization that provides grants to charitable and not-for-profit organizations in Maryland and the District of Columbia toward projects that help improve the healthcare and human services for individuals and communities. Since 2006, Qlarant Foundation has awarded grants totaling $5.6 million to 80 organizations in Maryland and the District of Columbia. For more information, visit www.qlarant.com or contact Pat Boos boosp@qlarant.com

Al Silverstein Announces Retirement from Talbot County Chamber of Commerce

June 11, 2020 by Talbot County Chamber of Commerce

Al Silverstein, President of the Talbot County Chamber of Commerce, is retiring at the end of 2020.

Al Silverstein, President and CEO of the Talbot County Chamber of Commerce, has announced his retirement at the end of 2020 after 20 years of service to the organization. According to Debbie Walsworth, Chair of the Talbot County Chamber of Commerce Board of Directors, for the remainder of 2020, Amy Kreiner, the Vice President of the Talbot County Chamber of Commerce, has been selected to fulfill all day-to-day responsibilities of the Chamber, as Silverstein prepares for his official retirement.

Walsworth comments, “Under Al’s leadership and vision, the Chamber has grown to include more than 700 members and has provided meaningful services to the Talbot County business community. The Board of Directors wishes to thank Al for his many years of exemplary leadership. Al is known for his smile, warmth, and passion to better this community. He has worked tirelessly in his role as the President of the Chamber.”

“Amy has worked with Al for nearly two years, serving as Vice President. She is a seasoned Chamber professional, having previously served as the Executive Director of the Caroline County Chamber of Commerce, and is pursuing her Institute of Organization Management certification through the U.S. Chamber of Commerce. The Board of Directors is fully engaged in this transition period and looks forward to partnering with Amy to continue bringing these resources and services to the business community, in this new and changing business environment.” she adds.

Under Silverstein’s leadership, the Talbot County Chamber of Commerce membership grew and its relationships with the business community, economic development, and tourism flourished. One of the most significant accomplishments of Silverstein was helping the Talbot County Public Schools to fund the One to One Laptop Initiative. He also helped to fund the popular Shore Leadership Program, which grew out of the Chesapeake Leadership Foundation, previously the Talbot Chamber’s Education Committee.

In 2005, Silverstein was instrumental in getting a grant from Verizon to bring two-way video conferencing, a multi-media center, and a minority resource room to the Chamber, making the Talbot County Chamber of Commerce the first chamber with this type of technology in the state. Through a recent grant through AT & T, the Chamber has established a Business After School Program, which hopes to get underway this fall.

He comments, “We have stayed abreast of the changing community needs and have listened to our members and provided the resources and educational opportunities they have needed. Over the years, several local nonprofits and businesses have called the Chamber office space their homes, including the Easton Economic Development Corporation, SCORE, and Chesapeake Film Festival. Our conference room has also been used heavily by our members.”

Some of the signature Chamber events established during Silverstein’s tenure include the Talbot County Chamber’s Golf Tournament, the Talbot County Economic Symposium, and the Talbot County Chamber Awards Program. He also helped to found the Young Professionals of Talbot County, a younger group of businesspeople who meet at lunchtime.

“The most rewarding thing has been helping people be successful in their businesses and helping people get connected to other people,” he adds.

Silverstein has held a variety of leadership positions in the community, including serving as Vice-Chair of the Talbot Family Network Board and President of the United Fund of Talbot County and Eastern Shore Heritage, Inc. He also has served on the Upper Shore Transportation Advisory Committee, the Mid-Shore Regional Council CEDS Committee, Maryland Capital Enterprises, and the Easton Rotary Club. For 18 years, he also served on the Legislative Committee of the State Chamber of Commerce Board, as well as President of the Maryland Association of Chamber of Commerce Executives. In 2009, he was named the Maryland Chamber Executive of the Year. In 2015, Silverstein was elected to the Easton Town Council.

Silverstein reflects, “Talbot County is unique as a rural county. We have an abundance of talent willing to give back to this community – the volunteers and the resources continue to make it a much better county and a great place to live.”

Shore United Bank Helps Local Businesses Secure Funding During COVID-19

May 30, 2020 by Spy Desk

When COVID-19 brought unprecedented change to our economy in early March, small business owners were immediately worried about what it could mean for the financial stability and future of their businesses. As an approved Small Business Administration (SBA) lender, Shore United Bank immediately developed a process to make Paycheck Protection Program (PPP) loans available to small businesses in our communities. To-date we have approved more than 1,300 PPP loan applications and funded over $121 million dollars to provide support to our local businesses during these unprecedented times.

Scott Beatty, President and CEO of Shore United Bank said, “Our outstanding team worked tirelessly to assist our small business customers who applied for PPP loans. As a local community bank, we are committed to supporting our customers, families and communities.”

For more information about Shore United Bank, visit ShoreUnitedBank.com.

Queenstown Premium Outlets Reopens and Launches Community Support Program

May 16, 2020 by Spy Desk

Queenstown Premium Outlets today announced that it will reopen May 16. As part of the reopening process, the property published its comprehensive COVID-19 Exposure Control Policy, developed in conjunction with a team of leading experts in the fields of Epidemiology and Environmental Health and Safety (EHS), in order to deliver an elevated set of safety standards at the property.

Queenstown Premium Outlets’ enhanced safety protocols have been communicated to all tenants, who are expected to adhere to the same rigorous policies in their tenant spaces. Additionally, the property has joined forces with local non-profits to support initiatives aimed at assisting those in the community experiencing hardship as a result of COVID-19.

“The health, safety and well-being of the community we serve will always be our highest priority, and we have developed a thorough and detailed set of protocols highlighting the exceptional measures we’ve implemented for shoppers, retailers and employees as we reopen,” said Lara Howlett, General Manager at Queenstown Premium Outlets. “We also recognize that individuals and families in our community are suffering significant hardship as a result of both COVID-19 and the economic shutdown, and we believe that reopening our property will not only help people get back to work during these challenging times, but also enable us to use our property to further support charitable initiatives.”

Health & Safety

The property management team rigorously analyzed all aspects of the shopping experience and designed a complete set of safety protocols encompassing the following areas:

– Enhanced sanitization and disinfecting using the Centers for Disease Control (CDC) approved products with an emphasis on high-traffic locations such as dining areas, restrooms, escalators, stairs, directories, trash bins and door knobs.

– Shopper safeguards that include making available protective masks, sanitizing wipes and temperature testing at entrances or property offices, as well as the encouragement of pre-visit health screenings to ensure shoppers stay home if they have exhibited COVID-19 or flu-like symptoms within 72 hours.

– Hand sanitizing stations will be deployed throughout the property.

– Signage promoting CDC guidelines for maintaining personal hygiene will be prominently displayed throughout the property.

– Pre-emptive employee health screening to ensure that employees do not arrive at work within 72 hours of exhibiting COVID-19 or flu-like symptoms.

– Employee safety protections including implementing the CDC’s COVID-19 frequent hand-washing protocols, and offering personal protective equipment in addition to other CDC recommended practices.

– Promotion and enforcement of social distancing practices, including occupancy limitations, furniture and restroom spacing, closure of play areas and strollers, as well as coordinated traffic flow with traffic signage and distance markers.

Queenstown Premium Outlets closed on March 19 in order to address the spread of COVID-19. Reopening provides a much-needed economic boost to the local community impacted by COVID-19. Queenstown Premium Outlets is an important economic engine for the local community, providing more than 600 jobs and contributing $4.8 million of sales tax and $771,000 in property tax revenue to the State. These tax receipts fund essential services in communities, including education and infrastructure as well as health and safety services.

“Our property is an integral part of our community not only in terms of shopping, dining and entertainment, but also job creation, small business growth and community support. We look forward to once again serving the needs of our community, and do so in a safe and responsible manner,” said Ms. Howlett.

Queenstown Premium Outlets’ COVID-19 Exposure Control Policy can be viewed in its entirety at www.simon.com/covid19safetyprotocols.

In addition to reopening, Queenstown Premium Outlets has joined a national initiative to host food banks, clothing donations, COVID-19 mobile testing, and blood drives as part of an outreach to 1,300 health providers, government agencies and non-profits.

About Simon

Simon is a real estate investment trust engaged in the ownership of premier shopping, dining, entertainment and mixed- use destinations and an S&P 100 company (Simon Property Group, NYSE: SPG). Our properties across North America, Europe and Asia provide community gathering places for millions of people every day and generate billions in annual sales.

Chesapeake Bank and Trust Reports SBA PPP Lending Results

May 12, 2020 by Spy Desk

Chesapeake Bank and Trust is pleased to report that it assisted over 90 local businesses in obtaining loans through the Small Business Association’s Payroll Protection Program. The funds disbursed by Chesapeake to these businesses to help them retain their employees and maintain operations totaled just over $6 million. Despite the well-publicized frustrations with the SBA’s guidelines and their system to get these submitted, Chesapeake had a 100% approval rate for the PPP applications they received.

Glenn Wilson, President and CEO of Chesapeake, said “Our team worked tirelessly to be sure that we helped all the local businesses that applied here for a PPP loan, given the financial uncertainties these businesses face due to the COVID-19 pandemic. Our community bank stepped up to this challenge while many larger, non-local banks, did not.”

Chesapeake Bank and Trust Company is committed to providing area residents and business owners a full suite of financial products and an unparalleled level of individual service. For more information, visit www.chesapeaketrust.com or call 410-778-1600.

Let’s Get Virtual – A Free Workshop Series

May 8, 2020 by Spy Desk

May 11, 2020 10AM Step 1: Websites

May 18, 2020 10AM Step 2: Virtual Exhibits

June 1, 2020 10 AM Step 3: Virtual Tours and More

Even though our heritage sites may be physically closed, we can still offer exciting experiences. Learn how to offer virtual experiences – a wander through a historic house, a view of favorite exhibits, or offer behind the scenes peeks of a heritage site – in the Stories of the Chesapeake workshop series: Let’s Get Virtual. This free three-part series will focus on content, technical requirements, equipment, and best practices for building a rewarding virtual experience without breaking the bank.

Robert Forloney and Raven Bishop will lead the workshops. Mr. Forloney is a Program Developer & Cultural Institution Consultant with extensive experience working with both large and small heritage sites including the Chesapeake Bay Maritime Museum, South Street Seaport, Brooklyn Museum of Art, Museum of Modern Art, and the Museum of the City of New York.

Ms. Bishop is an Instructional Technologist at Washington College and is also a National Board-Certified Visual Arts Educator with over 15 years of experience in project-based curriculum and instructional design. She leads the new Virtual/Augmented Reality Digital Imaging Studio [VARDIS] in Washington College’s Miller Library where her work explores augmented & virtual reality in instruction, particularly as it applies to museum instruction for small, rural, community-curated museums. Her work in this field has won she and her collaborators the 2018 Campus Technology Education Futurists IMPACT Award and a 2018 National Digital Stewardship Alliance (NDSA) Innovation Award.

To register for the workshop and obtain login information, please contact the Stories of the Chesapeake Heritage Area at info@storiesofthechesapeake.org or 410-778-1460.

Rural Maryland Council Opens Fiscal Year 2021 Grant Programs

April 30, 2020 by Rural Maryland Council (RMC)

The Rural Maryland Council (RMC) is pleased to announce it is accepting letters of intent to apply for the Maryland Agricultural Education and Rural Development Assistance Fund (MAERDAF) and the Rural Maryland Prosperity Investment Fund (RMPIF) for the Fiscal Year 2021 funding cycle. Information about these grant opportunities and access to the online application can be found at www.ruralmaryland.gov. Letters of Intent must be received by Friday May 29, 2020.

During the recent shortened Legislative Session, the legislature approved the State’s Fiscal Year 2021 Operating Budget which includes $6,327,575 in funding for MAERDAF and RMPIF. Awards are subject to funding availability. “This important funding supports the states’ five regional councils, regional infrastructure projects, rural entrepreneurship development, rural community development and our rural health care organizations”, said RMC Executive Board Chair John Hartline. “The Rural Maryland Council would like to thank Governor Larry Hogan, Speaker Adrienne Jones of the Maryland House of Delegates and President Bill Ferguson of the Maryland Senate for their strong support in providing the necessary funds to improve the quality of life in rural communities.”

The Council will conduct two virtual information sessions to review program guidelines and criteria as well as answer questions from participants. Sessions will be held on Tuesday May 5, 2020 at 10:00 am and Friday May 8, 2020 at 10:00 am. Log-in information can be found on the Council’s website, www.rural.maryland.gov. Individual appointments will also be available during the week of May 11, 2020. Please contact the RMC office at rmc.mda@maryland.gov to schedule an appointment.

Important Dates for the FY2021 Grant Cycle:
• Grant Process Opening: Monday, April 27, 2020
• Call for Letter of Intent Deadline: Friday, May 29, 2020
• Full Application Deadline: Friday, July 24, 2020
• Awards will be announced by Monday, August 17, 2020

The Maryland Agricultural Education and Rural Development Assistance Fund (MAERDAF) offers financial support to rural-serving nonprofit organizations that promote statewide and regional planning, economic and community development, and agricultural and forestry education efforts. The Fund also provides targeted financial assistance to community colleges that support small and agricultural businesses through enhanced training and technical assistance offerings. The Rural Maryland Prosperity Investment Fund provides funding for targeted investment to promote economic prosperity in Maryland’s traditionally disadvantaged and underserved rural communities.

“A Collective Voice for Rural Maryland”

Maryland Leadership Workshops Cancels Summer 2020 Programs Due to Coronavirus Concerns

April 29, 2020 by Spy Desk

Maryland Leadership Workshops (MLW), a division of Leadership Maryland, announces that it is canceling its Summer 2020 programs due to health risks posed by the COVID-19 pandemic. Delegates and families who were already registered will be issued refunds, and MLW is currently in discussions to offer alternative virtual programming.

Now in its 65^th year, MLW was scheduled to host its five, week-long programs for middle and high school students from July 12 – August 1. Earlier this year, the organization announced that it would be returning this year to its former long-time home at Washington College in Chestertown, Md.

“We are deeply saddened to have to announce this decision, but given the health risks of COVID-19 and the uncertainty ahead, we agree that it is best for our delegates and staff to cancel our summer programs this year,” said Anita Durall Anderson, executive director, MLW. “We remain committed to meeting the needs of all our delegates, staff and partners and we look forward to continuing to provide valuable, interactive learning experiences for our state’s young leaders. We expect to have details about new virtual alternatives to our traditional in-person programs in the weeks to come.”

For more information, please visit www.MLW.org or contact Anita Durall Anderson at 301-444-8623 or anita@leadershipmd.org.

About Maryland Leadership Workshops, a division of Leadership Maryland

Maryland Leadership Workshops is Maryland’s premier leadership development program for middle and high school students. In existence since 1955, Maryland Leadership Workshops has provided generations of participants – known as delegates – with an incomparable experience to discover and develop strengths and skills essential to lifelong leadership. Using the model of facilitative instruction unique among youth leadership programs, delegates take ownership of personal development as they grow in self-awareness, set measurable goals, and collaborate with peers in diverse groups. To learn more, please call Maryland Leadership Workshops at 301-444-8623 or visit www.mlw.org.

Robin L. Haddaway Celebrates 30 Years with Shore United Bank

April 25, 2020 by Spy Desk

Robin Haddaway

Shore United Bank is excited to congratulate Robin Haddaway on 30 years of dedicated service. Robin began her career with the Bank in April of 1990 as a teller at our Tred Avon, Easton, MD branch. During her career at the Bank, she has held positions of senior teller, head teller, floating customer service representative and branch supervisor. Currently, Mrs. Haddaway is an Overdraft Specialist within our Deposit Operations department.

“At Shore United Bank, my coworkers are like my extended family. Our supervisors really care about what’s going on in our lives. It’s nice working for a company where the President/CEO knows you by name. It’s the little things that make working for this company so great,” says Robin.

“I know I speak for the whole department when I say, we are so thankful to have Robin as part of our team. She helps wherever she is needed and always strives to do what is best for the customer and the Bank,” says Stephanie Dulin, Deposit Operations Manager of Shore United Bank.

Robin resides in Easton, MD with her husband, Ron. They have two sons, RJ and Ryan. She gives back to the community by volunteering to bake for Habitat for Humanity when they need lunches during a build. She enjoys spending time with her family, visiting the beach, and reading a good book.

For more information about Shore United Bank, visit ShoreUnitedBank.com.

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