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

Governor’s Business Summit 2019: September 20

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Posted: September 9, 2019

Governor’s Business Summit 2019

Maryland is Open for Business: The Future of Our Workforce

Hear dynamic keynotes and join hundreds of business professionals

September 20 | 8:30 a.m. – 3:30 p.m.
Baltimore Marriott Waterfront

It’s not too late to register for the event that business leaders across Maryland are talking about. Join Governor Hogan and hundreds of business professionals at the 2019 Maryland Governor’s Business Summit, featuring dynamic keynotes and sessions delving into one of the most important topics for businesses today – workforce. Speakers will share innovative approaches, partnerships and more to diversify, attract, train and develop their workforce.
Secure your spot today and find out what workers want, best practices on workforce development, and how to keep your workforce engaged. Registration includes continental breakfast and a plated lunch. Read the full agenda here.

Dr. Daniel Mosser named 8th President of WVNCC

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Posted: September 9, 2019

Dr. Daniel Mosser named 8th President of WVNCC

Dr. MosserWest Virginia Northern Community College (WVNCC) Board of Governors has named Dr. Daniel Mosser the College’s 8th president succeeding J. Michael Koon, who has been the Interim President since July 1, 2018. Dr. Mosser is expected to officially start his tenure on Monday, September 16, 2019, with his appointment pending approval from the Community and Technical College System.

“The Board unanimously voted to select Dr. Mosser to lead WVNCC as our next President,” commented Board Chair David Artman. “We feel WVNCC is uniquely poised for the future and with Dr. Mosser’s experience, visionary leadership, and innovative ideas he became the ideal candidate to lead us during this significant time in our history.”

A Western Pennsylvania native, Dr. Mosser has worked in higher education and workforce training for over 34 years including over 18 years as a senior executive in community colleges. He earned a Ph.D. in Industrial, Technological, and Occupational Education with a minor in Measurement and Statistics from the University of Maryland at College Park. Dr. Mosser has taught at the middle school, high school, and university levels and he holds professional teacher certification in Pennsylvania and Maryland.

Most recently Dr. Mosser served as the Vice President for Continuing Education and Workforce Development at the College of Southern Maryland, a community college serving three southern counties in Maryland. During his tenure as VP, Dr. Mosser was responsible for an annual headcount of 11,000 students. He reestablished a rapidly declining continuing education unit to a respectable program with over 800 full-time enrolled students.

Dr. Mosser’s career began as a graduate teaching assistant at the University of Maryland. In 1992, he was appointed Director of Curriculum and Instruction for Home Builders Institute and the National Association of Home Builders in Washington, DC. In 1996 he became the Vice President for Education and Workforce Development with Associated Builders and Contractors, Inc. Dr. Mosser then served nine years as Vice President for Workforce Development and Continuing Education for Prince George’s Community College in Maryland.

“This is truly an extraordinary opportunity, and I am honored to be selected as the next President of WVNCC,” said Dr. Mosser. “I was so impressed with everyone I met during this selection process on all three WVNCC campuses, and I look forward to working together as we embark on a very exciting time in this community and at Northern. I am looking forward to building upon the positive impact the College has had in the lives of our students.”

“It quickly became apparent to us that Dr. Mosser is a community minded leader and his commitment to faculty, staff and student success is a top priority,” added Artman. “The board went through an extensive process in searching for the right person to lead the College and is grateful to the Foundation Board, Chancellor, faculty, staff and community leaders who provided input and feedback in this process.”

Koon, who did not enter the presidential search, will now reenter retirement, capping a 44-year career at WVNCC.

The Board of Governors was assisted in the search by Myers McRae, a higher education executive search and consulting firm from Macon, GA.

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 –
*******************************************************************************
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