Serving the Southern Maryland Tri-County Area
Southern Maryland Minority Chamber of Commerce Foundation

Youth Waterfowl Hunt, Nursery Trees Available

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Posted: February 2, 2019

News banner showing snowy trailPhoto of youth learning to hunt waterfowl

Youth Waterfowl Hunting Day Feb. 9
Chance for Young Hunters to Hone Skills

Young hunters have one more chance this season to hone their skills with the help of an experienced adult during a Youth Waterfowl Hunt Day Feb. 9, reports the Maryland Department of Natural Resources. Read more.

Photo of loblolly pine seedlings growing at state nursery

State Nursery Has Trees Available for Spring Planting
Time is Now to Think Spring

Orders are still being taken for the spring 2019 planting season for shrubs and trees from the John S. Ayton State Tree Nursery, managed by the Maryland Department of Natural Resources. Read more.

2019 Lobbyist Report No. 2

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Posted: February 2, 2019

Here’s what you need to know about the week ahead and a recap of what happened last week.
Briefings continued last week and will continue in the coming week. A reminder that all briefings are public and you can watch them at any time. Have a subject matter you’re interested in learning more about? Ask us and we’ll get you to the right day/website. These briefings are incredibly helpful overviews of where our state agencies have been and where they are headed. This week we heard from the Lottery/Gaming Commission, the Chesapeake Bay Commission, and the Kirwan Commission – to name a few. We have notes on many topics in Annapolis for our wide range of clients, ask us!
Also this week we enjoyed the Mountain Maryland PACEreception and breakfast. PACE (Positive Attitudes Change Everything) is a tradition in Annapolis and many of our Western Maryland friends from Garrett and Allegany Counties travel down to see us. We also saw Maryland’s Chamber advocateson Wednesday and many business folks were walking the halls (and dare I say, armed with talking points regarding their views on the minimum wage and the corporate tax rate). Here’s a good articlethat illustrates some of the debate over minimum wage.
This week, as briefings continue, we also begin to get into some early bill hearings. Bills are often heard in the order they are filed. It isn’t an exact science but typically if a bill is dropped into the hopper early in session, a hearing happens earlier too. Within those early bills we have some medical cannabis legislation from Del. Cheryl Glenn that will start the session work on this issue. We also will hear a briefing on Opportunity Zones in the Budget and Taxation Committee – this is going to be an important topic to follow the money! Check out more on Maryland’s Opportunity Zones here.
MACo and MML will provide an overview of local aid to the Ways and Means Committee. You can read their platformson their sites – learn more!
Finally, here is your linkto the Fiscal Briefing we highlighted earlier this week. Happy reading! Just kidding, we’re working on a summary with bullets. 🙂
Have a great week –
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Here are a few of our favorite news stories from the week and what people were talking about: 
 
– We played host to an additional important person this week in Annapolis. Week 1 we saw Gov. Jeb Bush. Week 2, Mayor Michael Bloomberg.
– Some lawmakers expressed concern that as Tubman and Douglas landmarks are installed, out-of-state non-MBE vendors will complete the work. Read the Baltimore Sun storyhere…
– The Government Shutdown is over-ish… our Annapolis folks will be moving on to other topics of discussion for the time-being, until talks devolve and we do this all over again? (hopefully not)
Here are 3 things you should know heading into the week: 
1. It is going to be cold. Again. Our hearing rooms in Annapolis are 145 degrees though so feel free to come on down! One hot topic will be Labor. The Department of Labor that is. It looks like the Department of Labor, Licensing, and Regulation (affectionately called “Dollar”) is going to be renamed as simply, the Department of Labor. Check out the Department-sponsored bill here.
2. Our client, the Town of Hancock, has their town elections tomorrow (Monday). We wish the candidates well and say happy voting to our friends out in Western Maryland!

3. You’re going to be hearing a lot more about the Chesapeake Bay and Total Maximum Daily Load (TMDL). TMDL is a regulatory term in the U.S. Clean Water Act and Maryland needs to do A LOT to meet the requirements by law by 2025 (that’s six years). You can get a head start and learn more from the Maryland Department of the Environment here.

Just for Fun: 
Want to know what we know? The Department of Legislative Services publishes a handbook for legislators. There are 9 volumes and we’re going to start a nerd study group/book club for anyone interested in learning more. Reply to this email and let us know. Conference calls will be set up for Mondays and we can go through the manuals together. If you’ve already signed up, I gotcha! We’re giving it another week for some more folks to join in the fun.

Maryland Natural Resources: Oyster Restoration, Rural Legacy Program

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Posted: December 21, 2018

Photo of oyster shells by Mitch Cannon

Board of Public Works Approves $3 Million for Oyster Recovery
Funding for Restoration, Marylanders Grow Oysters & Sanctuaries

The Maryland Department of Natural Resources has been approved to invest more than $3 million in oyster recovery and restoration activities in Chesapeake Bay and its tributaries, following unanimous support from the Board of Public Works. Read more.

Photo of the Upper Patapsco Rural Legacy Area in Carroll County

$3 Million Approved for Rural Legacy Program
Conservation Easements Protect Farmland, Forests and Waterways

The Board of Public Works today approved Rural Legacy Program grants totaling $3 million that will provide dedicated state funding to permanently protect working farms and forests, and provide vegetative stream buffers to improve water quality in designated areas across the state. Read more.

 

USDA Launches ReConnect Program

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Posted: December 19, 2018

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USDA Launches ReConnect Program

The United States Department of Agriculture (USDA)’s new ReConnect Program is offering up to $600 million in loans and grants to help build broadband infrastructure in rural America. Telecommunications companies, rural electric cooperatives and utilities, internet service providers and municipalities may apply for funding through the new program to connect rural areas that currently have insufficient broadband service.

USDA will make available approximately $200 million for grants (applications due to USDA by April 29), as well as $200 million for loan and grant combinations (applications due May 29), and $200 million for low-interest loans (applications due by June 28).

Projects funded through this initiative must serve communities with fewer than 20,000 people with no broadband service or where service is slower than 10 megabits per second (mbps) download and 1 mbps upload. Evaluation criteria include connecting agricultural production and marketing, e-Commerce, health care and education facilities.

Approved projects must create access speeds of at least 25 mbps upload and 3 mbps download. Priority will be awarded for projects that propose to deliver higher-capacity connections to rural homes, businesses and farms. USDA seeks to stretch these funds as far as possible by leveraging existing networks and systems without overbuilding existing services greater than 10/1 mbps.

USDA will hold a Reconnect Program introductory webinar on Thursday, December 20, 2018 at 2:00pm (EST). This introductory webinar will provide a high-level overview of the new program, the types of funding available, eligibility provisions, notice of proposed service area, and evaluation factors. To join the webinar on December 20, click here.

USDA will also host a series of future informational webinars and workshops to provide more information on the ReConnect Program. Please visit https://reconnect.usda.gov for up-to-date information on these events.

DEMD

Maryland Natural Resources: Accessible Fishing Pier; Atlantic Goose Season

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Posted: November 17, 2018

Photo of compliant fishing pier and gangway at Unicorn Lake

Accessible Fishing Pier Opens in Queen Anne’s County
Floating Pier Meets Americans with Disabilities Act Standards

The Maryland Department of Natural Resources has opened a new floating fishing pier and gangway at the Unicorn Lake Fisheries Management Area that meets the Americans with Disabilities Act Accessible Design Standards of 2010. Read more.

Photo of Canada geese in flight by Larry Hindman

Atlantic Population Canada Goose Season Begins Nov. 17
Split-Season Hunt for Migrating Waterfowl

Maryland’s migratory Atlantic Population Canada goose hunting season begins Nov. 17, and is split into two segments: Nov. 17 through Nov. 23, 2018, and again from Dec. 14, 2018 through Feb. 2, 2019. Read more.

Calvert League of Women Voter’s Annual Legislative Evening: Nov. 14 at CSM

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Posted: November 11, 2018

LWV Annual Legislative Evening with Our Maryland State Delegation

College of Southern Maryland, Bldg B
115 J Williams Rd, Prince Frederick, MD

Wednesday, November 14, 2018, 6:30-9 P.M.

  • Networking and Light Refreshments – 6:30-7 P.M.
  • Welcome and Introductions – 7 P.M.
  • Opening Remarks from State Delegation – Legislation passed in 2018 Session and forecast of upcoming legislation in the 2019 General Assembly Session
  • Legislative Priorities of Community Organizations – 2.5 minutes each*
  • Questions and Comments from the Public – if time permits*

Fall Turkey Season; Volunteer Opportunities

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Posted: October 30, 2018

Fall News Banner
Photo of wild turkeys by Lori Bramble

Fall Turkey Season Opens in Western Maryland
Hunting Available in Allegany, Garrett and Washington Counties

The Maryland Department of Natural Resources announced today that the fall turkey hunting season will open Oct. 27 and continue through Nov. 4 in Allegany, Garrett and Washington counties with a bag limit of one turkey per hunter. Read more.
Photo of conservation volunteer training

Maryland Environmental Trust Offers Volunteer Training
Opportunity to Help Statewide Conservation Efforts

The Maryland Environmental Trust is offering one-day volunteer training sessions for individuals interested in helping to monitor state conservation easements.

The sessions will be held 6 to 8:30 p.m. Nov. 8, and 9:30 a.m. to noon Nov. 17 at the Howard County Conservancy. Read more.

Chapel Point State Park Lease Agreement Ceremony

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Posted: October 30, 2018

Photo of Chapel Point State Park

Chapel Point State Park Lease Agreement Ceremony
State and Charles County Officials Cut Ribbon

Local and state officials will gather to officially sign a new 25-year agreement between the Maryland Department of Natural Resources and Charles County that will allow the county to manage approximately 50 acres of Chapel Point State Park along the Port Tobacco River.

As part of the agreement, the county and department developed a conceptual plan for the leased area, which includes improvements to the existing boat launch and fishing beach, a redesigned waterfront picnic area, a new “soft” kayak launch, an enhanced paddle-in campsite, and more secure and sustainable beach access.

WHO:

Maryland Treasurer Nancy Kopp
Maryland Natural Resources Secretary Mark Belton
Maryland Land Resources Acting Assistant Secretary Emily Wilson
Maryland Park Service Superintendent Nita Settina
Charles County Commissioners
Charles County Parks, Recreation and Tourism Director Eileen Minnick

WHAT:

Ribbon-cutting ceremony marking the lease agreement between the Maryland Department of Natural Resources and Charles County Department of Recreation, Parks and Tourism.

WHERE:

Chapel Point State Park
Pisces Lane
Port Tobacco, Maryland 20677

WHEN:

Oct. 30
1 p.m.

CONTACT:

Gregg Bortz
410-260-8001
gregg.bortz1@maryland.gov

5th Annual Community Development Week and Awards of Excellence

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Posted: October 25, 2018

 
Announcing our Awards of Excellence recipients!
 
Join us to celebrate their accomplishments during our Annual Meeting and Awards Luncheon October 24!
 
 
Innovation Award
Filbert Street Garden
 
Collaboration Award
Episcopal Housing Corporation with Health Care for the Homeless
 
Impact Award
Town of Belair National Guard Amory Project
 
Lorriane Sheehan Memorial Advocacy Award
C. Matthew Hill, Housing for All Coalition
 
Legacy Award
Doris J. Cammack-Spencer,
Southern Maryland Minority Chamber of Commerce
Annual Meeting on October 24!
 
 
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Join us for our 5th Annual
Community Development Week!
 
It is our privilege to highlight these incredible projects throughout Maryland! Join us for Community Development Week!
 
October 15 – Dundalk Main Street Incubator Space Opening. Kick off Community Development Week by joining us and Dundalk Renaissance for their Main Street Business Incubator Space Ribbon Cutting! Time:  11:00am Location: The Forge 11 Center Place, Dundalk, MD 21222. (Baltimore County) Register Here
 
 
October 16: Federalsburg Community Center Grand Opening. Maryland Rural Development Corporation’s Federalsburg Community Center will offer a range of services including Head Start, serving families in Caroline County and surrounding areas. Come celebrate the Grand Opening! Time:  10am Location: 26245 Williamsburg Road, Federalsburg, MD 21632 Register Here
 
 
October 17:  Housing Counselor Connections- Join us for this day long session if you are a housing counselor or interested in housing counseling, homebuyer education and foreclosure intervention. This session will connect counselors to important sessions and dialogue about the next steps in the sector. Time: 10:00am-3:00pm. Location: Owen Brown Interfaith Center 7246 Cradlerock Way, Columbia, MD 21045 (Howard County)Register Here
 
 
October 18: Supportive Housing Ground Breaking in Charles County. Join Lifestyles of Maryland and CDN for the ground breaking of Southern Crossing, a supportive housing development in Southern Maryland. This unique development is the revitalization of the old White House Motel. Join us for the ceremony, tour and light lunch. Time:  10am Location: 11150 Crain Highway, Newberg, MD 20664 Register Here
 
 
October 19: Cooperative Finance in Baltimore City. Join the Network for Conscious Communities and CDN for a workshop on financing for cooperative housing real estate development Time: 9am-1pm Location: 29th Street Community Center, 300 E. 29th Street, Baltimore MD 21218. Register Here
 
 
October 22: Garrett County Community Action. Head on up to Garrett County to learn more about the innovative community action, development and housing model of the Garrett County Community Action Agency. Tour the projects and area. Time: 10am. Location: 104 E. Center Street, Oakland, MD 21550. Register Here.(Hotel rooms are available to stay the night before at Wisp Resort. Details are in the registration link here)
 
 
October 23: Senior Housing in a Silver Spring Opportunity Zone. Join us for a tour of the Bonifant, affordable senior apartments in a Transit Oriented Development area along the proposed Purple Line, and attached to the Silver Spring Library. Frank Dickson from Maryland DHCD will also join us to give an update on the Opportunity Zone program . Time: 9:45am-noon. Location: The Bonifant, 929 Bonifant Street, Silver Spring, MD  20910 Register Here
 
 
October 24: Just Before the Annual Meeting: Tour of Greenmount West/Station North Arts District- Join us before the Annual Meeting to learn more about the Station North Arts District and the transformation of the Greenmount West neighborhood. Time:  10:30am-noon. Location: Area 405. 405 E. Oliver Street, Baltimore MD 21202. Register here
 
 
October 24: CDN’s Annual Meeting & Awards Luncheon – Join us as we celebrate the work of CDN and our members. Congratulate your colleagues as we present our Awards of Excellence during the Luncheon. The Greenmount West community is located in the Station North Arts District and is up and coming. Keynote Speaker is Sarah Norman, Director, Health Homes and Communities for NeighborWorks America.  Time:  Noon-2pm. Location: Area 405. 405 E. Oliver Street, Baltimore MD 21202.  Register Here
Thank you to our incredible Sponsors! 
Signature Sponsors
  

Title Sponsor
Klein Hornig logo name
Community Sponsors
Post Sponsors
  
 
Member Sponsors
  
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Make sure to keep up with CDN on 
Twitter @CDNMaryland
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About the Community Development Network of Maryland
The Community Development Network of Maryland is a member organization of over 180 nonprofits, small businesses, and individuals actively participating in community development across the state.
CDN’s purpose is to promote, strengthen, and advocate for the community development industry in Maryland.
CDN’s mission is to engage and strengthen Maryland’s community development industry and encourage comprehensive community development through advocacy, capacity building and partnerships.

Become a Member Sponsor of Community Development Week!

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Posted: October 25, 2018

Join the growing list of Sponsors for 
Community Development Week!
Member Sponsors are important sponsors of Community Development Week.
Member Sponsor Levels:
$100 Basic Member Sponsor
$200 Light Member Sponsor
$300 Spotlight Member Sponsor
$500 Expert Member Sponsor
A. Renew Your Membership and add $100-$500 to become a Member Sponsor of CD Week!
B. If you have already renewed your membership (Thank you!) You can still be a Member Sponsor !
Contribute online here or send checks to PO Box 22426 Baltimore, MD 21203
If you are planning on becoming a Member Sponsor, you MUST send CDN your logo by October 8 to be listed on our Sponsor Board!
Community Development Week 2018
 
 
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About the Community Development Network of Maryland
The Community Development Network of Maryland is a member organization of over 180 nonprofits, small businesses, and individuals actively participating in community development across the state.
CDN’s purpose is to promote, strengthen, and advocate for the community development industry in Maryland.
CDN’s mission is to engage and strengthen Maryland’s community development industry and encourage comprehensive community development through advocacy, capacity building and partnerships.