What’s New in Maryland
For you Merliners out thereArchive for General
Maryland Replacement Windows Company Launches FREE SIGNED CAPITALS JERSEY Giveaway
If you are a local sports fan, you’d better be paying attention to how well the Washington Capitals are playing this year. They have the best record in the NHL, and are an exciting, high-powered team to watch as well. Local businesses are taking note too, and tying in their advertising with Caps promotions. I was on the Caps website earlier today and noticed that a local Maryland replacement windows company, Long Fence and Home (aka Long Windows and Long Kitchens) is having a free jersey giveaway – the jersey is signed by the ENTIRE TEAM!
If you want to enter, go to the entry page and fill it out.
StartRight! Business Plan Competition Semifinalists Announced
Do you have a Maryland business less than two years old? Your business plan could win you money and other prizes. For the 2009 Startright! Women’s Business Plan Competition, it’s too late though.
The Startright! Women’s Business Plan Competition from Rockville Economic Development, Inc. has its semifinalists and they include women business owners in Maryland as well as in DC and Virginia. To be eligible, businesses need to be located in MD, DC, or Virginia, be at least 51% woman-owned, and have been in operation for no more than two years.
Eight people were selected as semifinalists out of 40 applications submitted. These eight semifinalists will present their business plans orally to a group of judges and three will receive cash prizes. First place is $10,000 and a $10,000 ad campaign from Comcast Spotlight, second place is $5,000, and third place is $2,500. Winners are announced July 16, 2009 at http://www.RockvilleREDI.org.
Maryland Business Deals and Discounts
What’s New in Maryland is accepting notices from local Maryland businesses that might be offering deals or discounts to customers. These discounts will be temporarily published on this website’s “Deals and Discounts from Maryland Businesses” page.
Let your customers and other local Marylanders know about what specials you might be offering! Just send an email to whatsnewinmd@gmail.com
Local Businesses in Maryland
What’s New in Maryland has added a section to help promote local businesses in MD. Do you have a local business you’d like to see profiled? Whether it’s in an exciting, in-demand industry, offers exceptional service, has an interesting product, or is award-winning, submit a description of your Maryland business and you just may see it profiled on Local Businesses.
Winning Business Plan Gets Cash Prize
Rockville Economic Development, Inc. (REDI) will be having a contest for new businesses (less than two years old) in Maryland, DC, or Virginia that are at least 51-percent women-owned.
Enter the contest known as the 6th Annual StartRight! Women’s Business Plan Competition by submitting an executive summary and $25 entry fee to Rockville Economic Development, Inc. by March 29, 2009. Full business plans must be submitted to Rockville Economic Development, Inc. by April 1, 2009. For details on what should be included in the business plan, click here. Semi-finalists will be contacted to present their plans before a panel of judges.
First Place: $10,000 sponsored by Eagle Bank
Second Place: $5,000 sponsored by Shulman, Rogers, Gandal, Pordy, and Ecker, PA
Third Place: $2,500 sponsored by Foster, Soltoff and Love, Ltd.
Brightline Media, Intelligent Office, and Montgomery County Department of Economic Development will be offering additional benefits in addition to the cash prizes.
REDI will also be offering free business plan seminars on writing (Wednesday, March 11, 2009) and presenting (Wednesday, April 8, 2009) business plans at the Rockville Regional Library at 21 Maryland Avenue from 9am to 12pm.
Know Anything About Fort Meade? Win $250!
MDDC Community, a directory of businesses for the Maryland areas near DC and DC itself, is having a writing contest for Fort Meade residents and others who know about the town.
The “Tell US About Fort Meade Writing Contest” is looking for a 500 to 1,000 Microsoft Word document on Fort Meade. Submissions don’t have to be formal (a conversational tone is great) but must include information on at least one of the following: neighborhoods, schools, restaurants, shopping centers, consumer services, recreation areas, or points of interest. The winner gets their submission posted on the directory’s Fort Meade Regional homepage and a check for $250. Contest closes November 14th. Get more details at http://www.mddccommunity.com/fort-meade/
So submit what you know about Fort Meade, learn a little more, contribute to a resource particularly for new residents to the area, and possibly see your writing published on MDDC Community and a check for $250. What would you do with the $250? Would you spend it locally in Fort Meade such as at a store or restaurant?
Chapter 11 for Upper Marlboro’s Mattress Discounters
There’s another business that’s filed Chapter 11 bankruptcy. This time it’s Mattress Discounters, actually based in Maryland and it’s for the second time. The Chapter 11 bankruptcy filing will allow them to restructure. Maryland stores will stay open but by mid-October, 50 stores that are located in Rhode Island, New Hampshire, and Massachusetts will close. Officials site the housing market economy as a reason for the drop in sales. Mattress Discounters is headquartered in Upper Marlboro, MD.
Maryland Requiring Smaller License Plates for Motorcycles
In addition to the Ocean City license plates, there’s more license plate news for Marylanders.
As of October 1st, a new law goes into effect that says motorcyclists will need license plates that are 4 inches high and 7 inches wide vs. the current size of 8 1/2 inches high and 4 1/2 inches wide. The new license plates should fit better into the frames and are what most other states have. Because new plates aren’t all available, motorcyclists aren’t required to have their new license plates by October 1st.
Vote on the Ocean City License Plate
Ocean City, Maryland license plates will soon be available and you get to pick the design. Well, sort of. It’s been narrowed down to 3 different designs:
- A vintage logo from the 1970s with a couple seagulls and the White Marlin on it, which you can see on the Ocean City water tower.
- A logo in the shape (letters ‘O’ and ‘C’ are carved out) and color (teal) of the Ocean City flag, which you can see above City Hall.
- The current Ocean City logo, which consists of the word Maryland over the letters ‘O’ ‘C’ with a teal wave underneath.
What’s New in Maryland votes for the current Ocean City logo because it really looks like Ocean City and represents the fun of OC with the wave. Though, taking a closer look at the vintage logo, you can appreciate the details of it with the White Marlin and seagulls.
Voting runs until October 10, 2008. Visit http://www.ococean.com/survey/ to cast your vote.
Chesapeake Bay Bridge Lane Reopened
For certain commuters, this is the news you’ve been waiting for. The left lane of the Bay Bridge has now reopened. Left wall repairs on the Bridge’s eastbound span are complete.
Though Friday morning up until 5am, the eastbound span of the bridge will be fully closed for routine maintenance and repair inspections, but that shouldn’t affect too many people.
