Maryland Chamber of Commerce

Know an amazing rising star or business doing great things for Maryland? We are now accepting nominations for our 2025 Rising Star Award 🌟 honoring motivated future leaders age 40 or under who inspire today’s business community, as well as our Community Impact Award 🧩, presented in partnership with Maryland Nonprofits, recognizing businesses that embody an overall spirit of community service through contributions of time, resources or funding. Learn more ➡️ t.ly/Z9E2D Candidates are driven and willing to do the hard work to propel their colleagues, employees and community to success. Submit your nomination, tag a friend or share with your network today!

At the top of the Maryland Chamber’s 2025 priorities is advocating for policy decisions that foster economic growth and strengthen Maryland’s competitiveness. Our state already ranks 10th highest in corporate taxes, 45th worst in overall tax environment, and is among the highest in resident tax burdens, according to data from the Tax Foundation. President & CEO Mary Kane explains to I95 BUSINESS readers how Maryland can reverse these trends ⬇️

The Maryland Chamber of Commerce strongly opposes combined reporting, a policy that would signal Maryland is closed for business. Our state already struggles to compete, and we cannot afford to adopt a volatile tax scheme that would harm businesses of all sizes and discourage investment when we need it most. The solution to Maryland’s fiscal challenges lies in growing our economy by creating a more competitive business environment, not in adopting policies that could reduce state revenues during economic downturns. Read President & CEO Mary Kane’s full commentary on combined reporting ⬇️

Meet the State 2025, presented by Amazon, is next week ⏳ Secure the last of what few tickets remain to our Jan. 15 event, featuring interactive discussions on how to make Maryland more competitive. Engage with top policymakers and business leaders, including Tom Barkin, President & CEO of the Federal Reserve Bank of Richmond, Senate President Bill Ferguson, Maryland Department of Labor Secretary Portia Wu, Senators Steve Hershey and Craig Zucker, Delegate CT Wilson, Senior Policy Advisor to Governor Wes Moore Eric Luedtke and more. We thank Silver Sponsors Comcast, Martin Marietta, Maryland REALTORS® and Kaiser Permanente for their vital support. Get your tickets today ➡️ t.ly/yhNsQ

The 2025 Legislative Session starts today! The Maryland Chamber is proud to advocate on behalf of our state's business community, working to create a Maryland where all businesses and their communities can thrive. Partnership and understanding are central to our work this session. Progress is within reach if we collaborate to support policies benefiting both businesses and Marylanders. Read President & CEO Mary Kane's message on how we can move forward together to make Maryland better for business and stronger for all.

Maryland Chamber President & CEO Mary Kane and Vice President of Government Affairs Grason Wiggins spoke with Sam Janesch at The Baltimore Sun about how combined reporting tax policy could worsen regional economic disparities in Maryland. As lawmakers convene Wednesday to address a nearly $3 billion budget deficit, the state's business competitiveness hangs in the balance. Read more ⬇️

Happy 7th work anniversary to our Director of Operations & Finance Laura Gordon 🎉 Your dedication keeps our organization running smoothly, day in and day out. From budgeting to staff support, you coordinate it all and still make the time to cheer on our team. We're grateful for all that you do behind the scenes, and are inspired by your passion in supporting CF research and care in your personal time. Thank you for everything, and here's to the years to come!

Maryland Business Outlook 2025, presented by Bank of America, is fast approaching! Governor Wes Moore, Comptroller Brooke Lierman and Treasurer Dereck E. Davis are invited to share their priorities and insights during this plated breakfast event. Shoutout to Photo Sponsor University of Maryland, Baltimore (UMB) for supporting this hallmark gathering of Maryland’s business community. Get your full or half table before it’s too late ➡️ t.ly/edkbZ

The Maryland Chamber is proud to be hosting several important events 🗓️ in early 2025. Get your tickets before it’s too late! 👉 Meet the State, presented by Amazon, on Jan. 15. Our annual early-session gathering will focus on Maryland’s economic competitiveness, and the policy work needed to strengthen the state’s economy, competitiveness and business community. 👉 Maryland Business Outlook, presented by Bank of America, on Feb. 27. Join top leaders from across the state to get insights on Maryland's economy and business initiatives. Governor Wes Moore, Comptroller Brooke Lierman and Treasurer Dereck E. Davis are invited to share their priorities at this exclusive event. Learn more about these and other upcoming events ⬇️

Maryland recorded the 6th smallest growth in new business applications 📋 from 2019-2024, in addition to ranking 40th in the percent change of new business applications from December 2022 to December 2023. These and other small business creation statistics lag behind neighboring states in key metrics. Addressing such challenges will be crucial to improving the state's economic competitiveness and fostering a more robust business environment. See the latest data in our sixth and final spotlight on the 2024 Competitiveness Redbook for Maryland ➡️ t.ly/fzt7M