Welcome Yesyca Morales to the Chamber team!
We are excited to welcome Yesyca Morales as our new Director of Membership at the GGCC! We look forward to her leadership and vision as she helps strengthen our community and enhance member engagement. Please join us in giving her a warm welcome! Yesyca has always been immersed in the entrepreneurial spirit, having grown up in a family that embraced and inspired business innovation. With a B.S. in Finance, she brings a strong academic foundation to her role and a wealth of hands-on experience. Her career journey has included an internship at IDB Multilateral Investment Fund, consulting work for Bearing…
Germantown Oktoberfest Returns October 5th!
**GGCC Brings Back the Long-Loved Germantown on October 5, 2024 from 11 am – 5 pm | Celebrating Our Unique and Vibrant Community** Germantown Town Center, September 4, 2024 – Germantown, MD, the third most populous community in Maryland, and one of the most diverse in the country, is all set to share the spirit of Oktoberfest in a grand celebration that promises something for everyone! This year, the Germantown Oktoberfest will not only reflect the traditional elements of Oktoberfest, but will be an ode to the diverse community it serves in a free celebration perfect for the whole family!…
GGCC Advocacy in Action: Council Approves Plan to Simplify Restaurant Permitting Process
July 18, 2024 Hi GGCC restaurant/hospitality members – The legislative changes we advocated for are now an official part of County regulation! See media link here: Council Approves Plan to Simplify Restaurant Permitting Process – Montgomery Community Media (mymcmedia.org). I’m glad we could make this happen. As always, if you have any suggestions or concerns that we can bring to government on your behalf, our door is always open! Many thanks, Paula
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…