the Chamber Volume XXXIV No. 2 Bell Tower Building Cumberland, MD 21502 February 2016 Executive Director Challenges. Some like to say that we don t have problems only challenges. Merriam- Webster defines problem as something that is difficult to deal with; something that is a source of trouble or worry. Similarly, Merriam-Webster defines challenge as a difficult task or problem; something that is hard to do. Regardless of what you call them, we all have them both as individuals and a community. The fact of the matter, however, is our challenges do not define us. How we handle those challenges does. We need to face our challenges head on together as a community. The resources and support are here to work through just about anything and move forward. It s been said there are no extraordinary people, only ordinary people doing extraordinary things. That s debatable. There are very special people out there and I for one am grateful. There are a number of recent and ongoing examples of teamwork and cooperation in our community. Senator Cardin recently heard an update on broadband in Allegany County. Thank you to Nil Grove and the Allegany County Board of Education for taking the lead on this critical infrastructure and to the Appalachian Regional Commission, the City of Cumberland and Allegany County Government for their partnerships in moving this extensive project forward. Thanks also to Nancy Forlifer, the Western Maryland Health System and the scores of volunteers who are involved in the Bridges to Opportunity initiative taking on the seemingly insurmountable task of addressing poverty in our community. Jonathan Hutcherson, Autumn Becker and Allegany College of Maryland along with a number of partners in the community have lead EARN Maryland in Allegany County and developed the Western Maryland IT Center of Excellence. Allegany County Commissioner Jake Shade s Competitiveness Committee, made up of volunteers throughout the community, has completed their work and we look forward to hearing their recommendations in the very near future. The Cumberland Economic Development Corporation is continuing to move forward with its Economic Development Strategic Plan and is currently requesting public input on options for Baltimore Street and Cumberland Plaza. The strategic planning process and implementation has been an open and inclusive process with many in the community participating. Community works. Chamber After Hours are a great way to meet potential new customers, strengthen ties with existing customers and check out some of Allegany County s best businesses, locations and attractions in a relaxed atmosphere. Thank you to David Love and all at Azad s of Cumberland for hosting the January After Hours. The February event is hosted by The Hand Institute. Are you interested in hosting an After Hours? There is currently an opening in October. Contact the Chamber office for answers to your questions and help in planning this opportunity. The Chamber s Legislative Committee, led by Chair Jeremy Irons (Carl Belt, Inc.) and Vice-Chair Patsy Koontz (Lifetime Dreams Real Estate Services LLC), continues to meet every week on Wednesdays during the legislative session at noon. The Legislative Committee meets in the Chamber boardroom and all Chamber members are invited to attend. This is a very informative and productive committee and your voice and perspective make a difference. Please contact the Chamber office with any pending legislation of particular interest to your business or organization. The lobbying power of Chambers of Commerce is an important part of the legislative process and can not be ignored. We work for you. Stu Czapski Executive Director February Calendar February 3 February 4 Membership Committee Mtg. February 8 Leadership Allegany! Alumni Committee Meeting February 10 February 11 7:30 am Education Committee Meeting February 16 Leadership Allegany! Steering Committee Meeting All. Co. Dept. of Social Services February 17 Economic Development Committee Meeting 5:30 7:30 pm Chamber After Hours The Hand Institute February 24 February 25 Board of Directors Meeting
Allegany County Chamber of Commerce Member Benefits Membership with the Allegany County Chamber of Commerce provides you with a unified voice in the community that can accomplish more than a single voice could ever hope to achieve. The Chamber serves as a leader in the development of the community and as an active, visible, and inclusive organization serving its members. Through annual goals and activities, the Chamber develops and promotes its positions concerning business and community issues. Members derive a number of valuable benefits from their participation that will help your business achieve success. Do you know the benefits of your membership with the Allegany County Chamber of Commerce? 1. Membership Directory: A listing of current Chamber members and vital information for easy reference. As a member, your information is listed by category, company, and contact name in the membership directory. The directory helps you find Chamber members to satisfy all your product and service needs. Marketing your business through the directory strengthens your image while receiving referrals. This comes to you as a Chamber member at no charge. 2. Listing on the Chamber website: When searching for a particular service, people will be able to click into the Chamber website and see your company listed among the many members of the Chamber. You receive a free listing as a Chamber member. 3. Monthly E-Newsletter: The Chamber Newsletter is e-mailed to all Chamber members. It lists upcoming events, meetings, along with updates to keep you informed on Chamber activities. Please share with your fellow employees. 4. Weekly enews: The weekly enews is a snapshot of the week s events and is designed to keep you abreast of breaking news items and activities taking place in the Chamber and within the region. 5. Invitations to Events: Join us for a wide variety of seminars, programs, networking opportunities, and social gatherings. Some examples are committee meetings, Legislative Breakfasts, Annual Expo, Crab Feast, Recognition Dinner, Holiday Reception, Candidate Forums and the monthly Chamber After Hours. 6. Marketing/Promoting Your Business: This is accomplished through our monthly e-newsletter, grand openings/ribbon cutting ceremonies, and distribution of your literature, just to name a few. For a nominal fee, you can include a flier in our monthly e-newsletter or advertise on our monthly and weekly enews. Take advantage of describing your services, free of charge, under the Member Profile section of the monthly newsletter. 7. Business Referral Services: The Chamber receives a large volume of calls from individuals and companies from around the United States requesting goods and services. We respond by referring only Chamber members. 8. Brochure Space at the Chamber Office: Be sure to provide the Chamber with plenty of brochures and business cards to be displayed to visitors stopping by the Chamber office. Your company s literature is also included in our Relocation Packages. 9. Membership Plaque and Decal: A Chamber membership plaque and decal is provided free of charge to display in your business to indicate to your clients that you support the community. 10. Mailing Labels/CD Listing: Market your products and services directly to Chamber members through mailing labels/cd listing which can be ordered from the Chamber for a nominal fee. 11. Representing Member Interest: The Chamber stands as a united voice on issues and positions representing the greater good of our business community. There are currently four standing committees at the Chamber that meet monthly. Each committee draws on business volunteers to enact change in any one of the following areas: Economic Development, Education, Legislative, and Membership. Members are always welcome and encouraged to get involved in any Chamber committee. The benefits to you are great when you become an active part of the Chamber and help shape the future. Governmental issues such as employment, education, transportation, healthcare, local government, taxation, and other issues are directly related to the growth and prosperity of your business. The Chamber is a driving force in current legislative affairs and you benefit through our efforts. 12. Valuable Business Programs: Chamber programs are geared towards the needs of businesses in Allegany County. The opportunities abound for you when you attend Chamber events, meetings, seminars, and activities. Our programs provide a great avenue in which to meet potential customers and clients. Many social and business contacts are made at these events. The Chamber After Hours is a monthly event which provide businesses an opportunity to showcase their location to other professionals in a casual and social atmosphere. Our Chamber mixers are not just food and refreshments; the contacts made at these events will benefit not only you but your entire staff as well. These are just a few examples of how the Allegany County Chamber of Commerce is dedicated to helping the community through its membership. The community around us is constantly changing and moving forward, and the Chamber is there to assist along the way. We look forward to serving your needs as a Chamber member!
Member Profile: Keller Stonebraker Insurance 139 N. Centre Street, Cumberland, MD 21502 301-777-8880 (office) 800-544-6546 (toll free) www.kellerstonebraker.com Additional Locations: Hagerstown, MD Frederick, MD Ellicott City, MD Keyser, WV Founded in 1901, Keller Stonebraker Insurance is celebrating its 115 th Anniversary in 2016. They are one of the area s largest and most resourceful insurance agencies. By combining their experience with customer-centered service, they deliver comprehensive insurance plans tailored to their customers business and personal needs, and strive to make the communities they serve a better place. More than 100 years later, Keller Stonebraker is still growing, with multiple agency acquisitions in the past several years and five offices to serve its customers. Keller Stonebraker is well positioned for another century of outstanding service. Joining them in 2015 was the Workmeister Insurance Agency. Keller Stonebraker Insurance and Workmeister Insurance Agency have merged into one of the most dynamic insurance agencies in the Cumberland area. With a combined 190 years of experience, their commitment to Cumberland and all of Western Maryland remains strong. Whether it s protecting your auto or home, creating a risk management plan for your business, or constructing a comprehensive group health insurance plan, Keller Stonebraker is there for you. Call them or stop by their newly renovated office located at 139 N. Centre Street, Cumberland, MD 21502. Buy Chamber is a local economic development initiative of the Allegany County Chamber of Commerce. The program s goal is to strengthen our local economy through increased awareness of the impact of purchasing products and services from Chamber members. The goal of the program is to get Chamber members and the community to think about the purchases they make and give priority consideration to members of the Allegany County Chamber of Commerce. More exciting details next month. Buy Chamber. Give Chamber. Support Our Chamber Members They Support Our Community.
Chamber After Hours Wednesday, February 17, 2016 5:30 to 7:30 pm Hosted by The Hand Institute Inclement Weather Policy If you are wondering if a committee meeting or Chamber event will be held during inclement weather, please contact the Chamber office at 301-722-2820. The Chamber s voice mail will be programmed to include details of any cancellation or time change that may be necessary due to snow or inclement weather conditions. New Member (Patronize this member and welcome them to the Chamber) Delegate Mike McKay 407 Washington Street Cumberland, Maryland 21502 301-697-2622 Email: dryclean@atlanticbb.net Category: Individual Western Maryland Delegation Members DISTRICT 1 Senator George C. Edwards (R) - District 1 James Senate Office Building, Room 323 11 Bladen St., Annapolis, MD 21401 (410) 841-3565, (301) 858-3565 1-800-492-7122 ext 3565 (toll free) Fax: 410-841-3552 or 301-858-3552 e-mail: george.edwards@senate.state.md.us Local Office: Western MD Railway Station 13 Canal Street Room 304 Cumberland, MD 21502 301-722-4780 Fax: 301-722-4790 1-866-430-9553 (toll free) E-mail: george.edwards.district@senate.state.md.us Delegate Wendell R. Beitzel (R) - District 1A Lowe House Office Building, Room 309 6 Bladen St., Annapolis, MD 21401 (410) 841-3435, (301) 858-3435 1-800-492-7122, ext 3435 (toll free) Fax: 410-841-3040 or 301-858-3040 e-mail: wendell.beitzel@house.state.md.us Delegate Jason C. Buckel (R) - District 1B Lowe House Office Building, Room 309 6 Bladen St., Annapolis, MD 21401 (410) 841-3404, (301) 858-3404 l-800-492-7122, ext 3404 (toll free) Fax: 410-841-3484 or 301-858-3484 e-mail: jason.buckel@house.state.md.us Delegate Michael W. McKay (R) - District 1C Lowe House Office Building, Room 322 6 Bladen St., Annapolis, MD 21401 (410) 841-3321, (301) 858-3321 1-800-492-7122, ext 3321 (toll free) Fax: 410-841-3449 or 301-858-3449 e-mail: mike.mckay@house.state.md.us For a complete list of Senate Standing Committees and House of Delegates Standing Committees visit: http://mgaleg.maryland.gov. the Chamber The Chamber News is published monthly by the Allegany County Chamber of Commerce Bell Tower Building 24 Frederick Street, Cumberland, Maryland 21502 301-722-2820 301-722-5995 Fax e-mail: info@alleganycountychamber.com www.alleganycountychamber.com Stuart C. Czapski, Executive Director Allegany County Chamber of Commerce 2016 Officers Chair: Jeremy G. Irons First Vice Chair: Debra M. Langan Second Vice Chair: Scott C. Pfeiffer Immediate Past Chair: Maureen T. Brewer