Advocate

We ADVOCATE for Business...

As the recognized voice of West Anne Arundel County on issues like Odenton Town Center development, infrastructure, and transportation, the West County Chamber is an active advocate for area interests. Chamber leaders meet regularly with public officials to discuss policy issues of concern to our membership, and are often found testifying at County Council and General Assembly sessions.

In 2009, the Chamber formed the Odenton-NOW Coalition, which was instrumental in the negotiations leading to capital appropriations for new sewer and water lines to support the development of the Odenton Town Center. Those projects are now underway, and construction is occurring throughout the Odenton Town Center. Subcommittees of the Chamber's Economic Development Committee are now exploring issues such as cooperative efforts to maintain public amenities in the Town Center and creation of a mechanism to ensure impact fees collected in the Town Center are spent on local needs.

Legislative Committee

The Chamber's Legislative Committee annually reviews over 100 bills affecting Maryland business and provides feedback to the Maryland Chamber's Legislative Committee and our representatives to the General Assembly. Annually we prepare a brochure highlighting the Chamber's Legislative Priorities, which is distributed to local officials. We also provide testimony on issues of direct concern to our members, including transportation funding, less business regulation, stormwater management, quality workforce education programs, and fair business taxation that allows Maryland business to compete regionally. The Chamber often hosts local elected officials so members can share their concerns on business issues.

Maryland Chamber Resources

 The Maryland Chamber of Commerce delivers public policy information in new and interactive ways, including:

  • Issue pages on important public policy topics, as well as priority legislation. These pages provide simple summaries, useful resources, news links, in addition to more detailed policy positions.
  • A frequently-updated Blog managed by Maryland Chamber staff,  and updated by state  lobbyists and staff from the other CAN partner organizations.
  • Video updates from Maryland Chamber lobbyists in Annapolis, as well as video interviews with policy experts, lawmakers, and business people from across the state.
  • Polls and surveys to seek feedback from business people like you.