WCC
This is an exciting time for our region, and we at the West Anne Arundel County Chamber of Commerce (WCC) could not be more enthusiastic about what lies ahead. There is a trifecta of assets that are primary drivers of economic growth in this region and, likewise, critical components to the healthy business ecosystem the WCC strives to sustain.
Understanding these assets is critical to appreciating our potential for generating future economic growth within our business ecosystem.
Fort Meade
One of the largest economic engines in Maryland, the post is projected to generate more than $20 billion in economic activity this year.
- With more than 55,000 employed personnel, and an additional 83,000 supported by facilitates and services, Fort Meade is the largest employer in the state and is home to the third largest workforce of any Army installation.
- It is a 5,400-acre installation with 118 partner organizations (e.g., federal agencies).
- 10,000 residents with seven public schools are on post, including one high school, two middle schools, three elementary schools and one early education center.
- More than $1.8 billion in construction is underway.
- The U.S. CyberCommand/National Security Agency first phase expansion includes 1.8 million square feet of construction, with long-term plans for 5.8 million square feet of space for 6,500 personnel.
- U.S. CyberCommand, currently under STRATCOM, may become its own unified command, which could increase the number of personnel and the influence of Fort Meade.
- Fort Meade, the nation’s preeminent center for information, intelligence and cyber operations, will celebrate its 100th birthday in 2017.
Odenton Town Center
The Odenton Town Center is a 1,200-acre mixed-use development in the heart of central Maryland that is overseen by an Anne Arundel County Council-approved Master Plan outlining its vision, goals and development guidelines.
- The newly-adopted Odenton Master Plan is expected to greatly facilitate future development in the Town Center.
- There is a renewed focus on the Odenton transit-oriented development project, featuring 947 garage parking spaces and retaining an additional 300 surface spaces for new retail and residential uses.
- Novus Odenton Station, a 244-apartment complex with five live-work spaces; and Broadstone West 32, a 212-apartment complex, are both completed and leasing quickly.
- Town Center Boulevard is under construction and will connect Seven Oaks to the MARC Station and allow development on The Halle Companies’ parcels.
- Odenton Station (48 townhomes and three single family homes) will be underway in early 2017.
- Efforts have begun to develop a park in the Town Center Core to be funded by Anne Arundel County.
Arundel Mills/Maryland Live!
Arundel Mills, home of Maryland Live! Casino, draws 18 million visitors a year and is Maryland’s No. 1 tourist destination.
Live! Casino, Maryland’s most exciting gaming and entertainment experience, opened in June 2012. The $500 million multi-use complex spans 12 acres and includes slot machines, a full range of table games, a poker room, restaurants, an entertainment venue and other first-class amenities.
The Cordish Companies recently broke ground on a $200 million flagship Live! Hotel at Live! Casino, and the new complex is being rebranded as Live! Casino & Hotel. The 350,000-square-foot complex will feature a 17-story hotel tower, making it the tallest building in Anne Arundel County. The complex will feature 310 luxury guest rooms, an event center, meeting spaces, new dining options and a day spa/salon.
Live! Casino generated more than $20 million in gaming revenues for Anne Arundel County in fiscal year 2016.
Arundel Mills is a shopping destination with 17 anchors and more than 225 specialty stores that feature outlet, discount and specialty retailers, themed restaurants and entertainment covering just more than 1.5 million square feet.
Chambers are critical to building and supporting strong business ecosystems, but it can’t be done without connecting to key regional assets. In our region, we are lucky to have the assets described above because they will help set the foundation for a self-sustaining ecosystem in which all businesses can interact, thrive and successfully support one another.
BWCC
BWCC Holiday Mixer
Wednesday, Dec. 7, 5:30–7:30 p.m.
The Great Room at Historic Savage Mill
New this year is a silent auction that makes holiday shopping easy. Bring your whole team or clients. Get a reserved table of 10 while they last, and have your holiday company party with friends.
Personal Accelerator Blueprint: From Mediocrity to Mastery Wednesday, Dec. 7
Create sustainable success learning these key strategies: a winning personal plan, creating a clear vision and path, efficiency first and true life balance. The discussion will be presented by Pete Kohlasch, certified high performance coach and creator of Personal Accelerator Blueprint and Winning Mindset. The event will be held at the chamber offices at 312 Marshall Avenue, Suite 104, Laurel; admission is free for members and non-members.
Membership 101
Thursday, Dec. 8, 9–10:30 a.m.
Come learn how membership with Baltimore Washington Corridor Chamber (BWCC) can help you increase sales, meet new strategic partners, stay informed of vital economic development information and save money. Free.
New Members
- Avie Oral Surgery Group
- C.C. Trucking
- Indigo Ink Digital Printing
- Next American Films
- Regional Transportation Agency (RTA) of Central Maryland
- Total Technology Solutions
Special Invitation
Next year, does your company have a goal to build new connections and strengthen relationships with business leaders in the Baltimore Washington Corridor? If so, join the BWCC, along with the businesses listed above, and use membership tools to help you have your best year yet. Contact Nancy LaJoice, BWCC membership director, for details at 301-725-4000 or visit www.bwcc.org.
Save the Date
- Jan. 4, 2017: Learn about what Search Engine Optimization is and why it is important to your business.
- Jan. 12, 2017: Membership 101. Learn tips that can make your networking efforts much easier.
For more information and to register for BWCC events, visit www.bwcc.org.
The BWCC board of directors and staff wish all a very joyous holiday season and a happy new year.
HCCC
Celebrating Dr. King’s Legacy
Howard County is fortunate to be a community that embraces diversity and recognizes our differences as assets. The Howard County Chamber of Commerce (HCCC) also recognizes commerce and economic prosperity is prevalent upon a business environment that is inclusive and cherishes that diversity. Our community thrives when all businesses succeed regardless of all race, nationality and gender.
In efforts to foster dialogue on this subject, the HCCC’s January Member Luncheon will serve as a Salute to Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Join the chamber on Thursday, Jan. 19, from noon–1:30 p.m. in celebrating the legacy of King and for a panel discussion on “Driving Profitability Through Diversity and Inclusion.”
The Jingle Mingle Holiday Party
Mark your calendars for Thursday, Dec. 8, from 6–9 p.m. at Maryland Live! Casino.
Executive Peer Board
Introducing, for members of the HCCC only, a 90-day program to invigorate business professionals and their businesses through three monthly meetings, from January through March 2017. The program is designed exclusively for companies with 10–100 full-time employees. It will provide owners, principals or partners with the tools, skills and perspectives to reach their personal and professional goals.
Certificate of Origin
Create, submit and print electronically certified documents right at your own desk through the HCCC’s electronic certificates of origin (CO) to provide easier and faster customs clearance, as well as productivity gains for companies.
A certificate of origin is an important international trade document attesting that goods in a particular export shipment are wholly obtained, produced, manufactured or processed in a particular country. COs also constitute a declaration by the exporter.
Millions of COs are issued every year, facilitating trade around the world. Since as early as 1898, chambers of commerce have been issuing non-preferential COs, and more recently, closely working with customs authorities, issuing preferential COs. The 1923 Geneva Convention and subsequent Kyoto Convention have seen governments formally recognize the important role chambers play in this domain, deeming them competent authorities and credible trusted third parties in the issuance of COs.
Virtually every country in the world considers the origin of imported goods when determining the duty that will be applied to the goods or, in some cases, whether the goods may be legally imported at all.
For more information on CO or to register for events, visit www.HowardChamber.com or call 410-730-4111.