Blog
Maryland Chamber Update: Summer Insights and Glimpse Ahead
Aug 22, 2024
Dear Members,
As summer unfolds, I wanted to share some key updates and initiatives from the Maryland Chamber.
Welcoming Grason Wiggins to the Team
We're pleased to welcome Grason Wiggins as our new Vice President of Government Affairs. Grason brings extensive experience in legislative affairs and advocacy, positioning him to lead the Chamber's government relations efforts on behalf of our 7,000+ members.
Grason joins us from Harris Jones & Malone, LLC (HJM), where he represented a diverse portfolio of clients and worked closely with the Maryland General Assembly and Governor Moore's administration on policies that impact Maryland's economy. Previously, he served as Senior Manager of Government Affairs at the Maryland Multi-Housing Association (MMHA) and as Director of Legislative and Regulatory Affairs at the Maryland Department of Labor.
In his new role, Grason will lead the Chamber's Government Affairs team, advocate for Maryland's diverse business community, and leverage his advocacy experience and relationships with elected officials to help strengthen our state's business climate. Wiggins succeeds Andrew Griffin, who served as Senior Vice President of Government Affairs for over five years.
MACo Summer Conference
Our team was actively engaged at the MACo Summer Conference. There was much focus on Maryland's economy, the impact of the Francis Scott Key Bridge collapse and the state's budget challenges. We're committed to developing innovative solutions to address these pressing issues and will keep you updated as our work progresses.
NASC/ASCP Annual Meeting
Whitney Harmel and Abbi Ludwig recently represented the Maryland Chamber of Commerce at the National Association of State Chambers & Association of State Chamber Professionals annual meeting, where they presented on disaster preparedness, drawing critical lessons from the recent Francis Scott Key Bridge collapse, and shared our work on economic data and the Competitiveness Redbook. Discussions with other state chamber professionals across the nation provided helpful ideas, lessons learned and valuable ideas that we're eager to explore further.
Supporting Those Affected by the Key Bridge Collapse
The collapse of the Francis Scott Key Bridge has been a significant tragedy for our state, impacting businesses, residents and the broader community. A newly launched $5 million grant program aims to help nonprofit groups assisting small businesses and communities impacted. The Greater Baltimore Committee and the Baltimore Community Foundation said they are accepting letters of interest on a rolling basis.
We're collaborating closely with our partners that are part of the Maryland Tough, Baltimore Strong Alliance to identify and secure funding opportunities for those affected. If you have any ideas or need support, please don't hesitate to reach out.
A Personal Milsetone
On a personal note, I'm honored to have received the Lifetime Achievement Award from the Baltimore Business Journal's "Women Who Mean Business" recognition. This award is a testament to the collaborative work we all do to advance Maryland's business community.
Looking Forward
Preparing for the 2025 Legislative Session As we gear up for the 2025 Legislative Session, your input is crucial. Please share your concerns and opportunities with us — your insights directly influence our advocacy priorities.
Mark Your Calendars
We have several upcoming events on the horizon, including:
- HYPE Port of Baltimore Tour
- 13th Annual Chamber Cup
- New Transportation Policy Forum
- Meet the State 2025
- Maryland Business Outlook 2025
These are just a few of the highlights from the past few months. As always, I’m here if you’d like to discuss any of these issues further.
Best regards,
Mary D. Kane
President & CEO
