Friday Five | May 21, 2021
A recap of this week’s top-five news items and resources from the intersection of business and government.
1. Maryland Chamber of Commerce announces Board of Directors for 2021-2022
On Wednesday, we announced the slate of business leaders representing a wide range of industries across the state who will join the organization’s board of directors for 2021-2022. The officers of our new board of directors are Chairman & Western Regional Chair Gracelyn McDermott, vice president, marketing, sales & business development, Kaiser Permanente of the Mid-Atlantic States; Vice Chairman Chris Hoyson, senior vice president, Whiting-Turner Contracting Company; Treasurer Misty Allen, vice president, government & community affairs, Comcast NBC Universal; and Immediate Past Chairman Steve Woerner, president & chief operating officer, BGE. For the full list of our board of directors, click here.
“I am honored to join this esteemed group of business leaders who share my goal of ensuring that Marylanders have access to the resources and opportunities they need to thrive – such as great schools, housing, jobs and support services,” said Maryland Chamber of Commerce Chair, Gracelyn McDermott, vice president at Kaiser Permanente. “Having lived in Maryland most of my life, I know it is an ideal place to live, work and play. I look forward to working with this illustrious board to ensure Maryland continues to grow and support its residents.”
To read more, click here.
2. Hogan signs more than 220 bills into law and announces State House reopening
On Tuesday, Governor Hogan and the presiding officers of the General Assembly met for a bill signing ceremony in Annapolis, signing more than 220 bills into law. Some of the legislation signed includes a bill that moves the state closer to sports betting operating in the state; a measure that makes Maryland the latest state to allow college athletes to profit from their names; and a bill that extends for two years loosened alcohol laws allowing restaurants and bars to sell and deliver alcohol off their premises. Hogan also announced during the bill-signing ceremony that the Maryland State House, which has been closed to the public for the past 14 months, will reopen starting Friday.
To read more, click here.
3. Small business COVID-19 RELIEF Grant Program extended to May 24
On Monday, Governor Hogan announced that Maryland small businesses now have one additional week to apply for the state’s $10 million Small Business COVID-19 RELIEF Grant Program, a program that provides financial assistance to small businesses with disrupted operations due to COVID-19. Applications are ranked and reviewed on several factors, including funding availability throughout the state’s 24 jurisdictions. Some of the requirements are that businesses must have at least one W2 employee and have an active account with the Maryland Department of Labor’s Division of Unemployment Insurance. Businesses must apply no later than May 24 at 11:59 p.m. through the application portal here.
4. Maryland sees lowest-ever COVID-19 positivity rate, matches low for new cases
On Tuesday, Maryland health officials reported its lowest coronavirus positivity rate of the pandemic and matched the fewest number of new daily cases (212) since March 2020. Before Monday, the last time Maryland had fewer than 212 new daily cases was March 30, 2020, just three weeks after state officials began tracking the pandemic. According to state officials, the state’s second straight day of 212 coronavirus cases came just as 66.6% of Maryland adults had received at least one vaccine dose.
“Each and every one of these milestones is a credit to Marylanders, especially those who have stepped up to get the vaccine,” Hogan said in a statement on Tuesday. “Together, we can make sure no arm is left behind, and finally bring this pandemic to an end.”
To read more, click here.
5. In case you missed it: Watch the last episode in our webinar series promoting equity and inclusion in the workplace
On Tuesday, the Maryland Chamber Foundation presented the final episode of our six-part series: Equity and Inclusion in the Workplace, in partnership with BGE. Watch this episode, supported by Kaiser Permanente, for insight from our panel of experts on how to make your business and employees thrive through EID.
Visit our Maryland Chamber Events Page for a list of upcoming webinars and events!
