GGCC 30th Annual Public Safety Awards: 58 honorees including Medal of Valor recipient Sgt. Patrick Kepp, remarks from retiring Police Chief Marcus Jones
See full printable Media Advisory HERE. See photo album HERE.
GGCC County Budget statement
Issued to County Council: Dear Council President Friedson and Members of the Council: On behalf of the Gaithersburg-Germantown Chamber of Commerce (GGCC), we are submitting these comments for your consideration, and as a thank you, as you go into your final deliberate action on the County Executive’s proposed FY25 Operating Budget. For 75 years, the GGCC has been the leading advocate for businesses along the upper I270 corridor in Montgomery County, commonly called the “Upcounty.” We specifically serve the business communities in Gaithersburg, Germantown, Clarksburg, and Damascus; our membership currently includes approximately 470 businesses in dozens of industries. Our…
GGCC Advocates for JOBS Initiative with other Chambers
The GGCC in partnership with other local Chambers of Commerce, has advocated for the swift passing of teh FY24 Special Appropriation for the JOBS Initiative introduced by Council President Andrew Friedson. See the GGCC’s letter to County Council here (4/26/24). See the joint Chamber letter to Council here (4/27/24). See the GGCC’s original Council testimony here (4/2/24).
GGCC Opposes Maryland HB1515, which would tax professional and personal services in MD
The GGCC has joined many businesses, Chambers of Commerce, and business associations around the State to oppose misguided legislation, HB1515. This legislation, titled “Sales and Use Tax – Rate Reduction and Services,” is an attempt to fund critical MD priorities through a massive $2.9 billion tax increase on Maryland residents and businesses. While HB 1515 proposes lowering the state sales tax rate from 6% to 5%, it would simultaneously expand the sales tax to a wide variety of everyday professional and personal services that have never been taxed before, including, but not limited to: Accounting and financial planning services Child…
Thank you GGCC Restaurant & Hospitality members – tipped wage bill in State Assembly withdrawn!
The Maryland House of Delegates tip credit bill hearing scheduled for February 14th has been cancelled. GGCC, in partnership with several other local Chambers in Montgomery County and in Maryland, and the Restaurant Association of Maryland, opposed this legislation in the Maryland General Assembly. This legislation, much like the defeated County legislation, would have cost our industry employees and employers significantly. Statement from the Restaurant Association of Maryland: The hearing for House Bill 467, which would phase out Maryland’s tip credit, has been cancelled because the bill sponsor will be withdrawing this legislation. This decision comes after nearly 100…
GGCC featured in Kentland & Lakelands Living Magazine
Thank you to Kentlands & Lakelands Living Magazine, and Publisher Jenn Zussman, for the beautiful article placement to highlight GGCC’s 75th year milestone! We really appreciate you including so many fun pictures of Chamber events and GGCC members in the Kentlands/Lakelands community, too!
CEO Paula Ross featured in Wash Biz Journal
President & CEO of GGCC, Paula Ross, was featured in Washington Business Journal’s “People on the Move” on January 29, 2024. Click for article: Paula Ross | People on The Move – Washington Business Journal (bizjournals.com) Publish Date: January 29th, 2024 “The Board of Directors at the Gaithersburg-Germantown Chamber of Commerce selected Paula Ross as President & CEO in December 2022, replacing Marilyn Balcombe, who was elected to the Montgomery County Council. Ms. Ross has extensive experience leading and supporting nonprofits organizations. Ms. Ross and the Board are celebrating one year in this successful transition, during which the Chamber…
Your Advocacy Worked! Tipped Wage Bill and Wage Commission Bill are Withdrawn.
THANK YOU to our GGCC restaurants and hospitality members, Economic Development Committee members, and Board members who sent emails, visited County Council, and testified to Council! Councilmember Jawando has WITHDRAWN both pieces of legislation thanks to your advocacy. You may have seen the GGCC’s strong opposition to two recent anti-business bills that were introduced to County Council by Councilmember Will Jawando (at large). Click here for a summary of our statements to Council, including those statements made in partnership with several other Chambers of Commerce. The bills are: Bill 35-23 Elimination of the Tipped Wage Bill 34-23 Establishment of a…
Browse GGCC’s 2024 Digital Membership Directory!
Full of great articles about the history of the Upcounty, the Chamber, and the past year’s events, in addition to a printed membership list!
GGCC installs 2024 Board of Directors
The 2024 Board of Directors was installed at the Gaithersburg-Germantown Chamber of Commerce Annual Gala Celebration & Awards Dinner, held December 14, 2023 at the DoubleTree by Hilton in Gaithersburg. The 2024 GGCC Board of Directors: EXECUTIVE COMMITTEE: Chair: Heather Madison, Peterson Companies Chair-Elect: Steve Barber, Supporting Strategies Immediate Past Chair: AJ Nwoga, M&T Bank Treasurer: Dan Dellon, Gaithersburg CPAs Vice Chair, Member Recruitment/Retention: Romy Nuñez , USI Insurance Vice Chair, Economic Devt & Legislative Affairs: Joyce Fuhrmann, MD Soccer Foundation Vice Chair, Member Programs (Events): Michele Potter, Asbury Methodist Village Vice Chair, Young Professionals Group (YPG): Kathryne…