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Jan. 7 • Mayor’s Prayer Breakfast Featuring Keynote Speaker Harry Swayne! Sponsorships & Tickets Available
Join community leaders, local citizens, elected officials, clergy, first responders, and the business community as we come together to start 2026 with unity, purpose, and hope. This year’s keynote speaker is Harry Swayne, three-time Super Bowl champion, former NFL standout, and longtime team chaplain. His powerful story of faith, leadership, and finding purpose on the biggest stage in sports is one you won’t forget.
VIP 7:15am; 8:15am General Admission & Breakfast; 8:45am Event Begins • Roland E. Powell Convention Center, Bayfront Ballroom, 4001 Coastal Hwy.
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Jan 8 • Coffee Connect, an OC Chamber Networking Event
Start your morning off right with coffee, conversation, and connections! You'll have the chance to meet and mingle with fellow OC Chamber members, exchange ideas, and grow your professional network in a casual, welcoming setting. Amy Thompson, our fearless President, will share quick, practical tips to help you make the most of any networking opportunity (without the awkwardness).
8-9am • Starbucks, 12911 Ocean Gateway, West Ocean City
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Jan. 8 • January Business After Hours
Join us for hors d’oeuvres & drink specials, raffles and a 50/50 drawing. We will announce Chamber Lights winners!
5-7pm • Ocean Downs Casino, Event Room
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SCORE ASSOCIATION Offers Free Mentoring to Entrepreneurs
Primarily funded by the SBA, this organization is comprised of experienced business people who volunteer their knowledge to you at no charge. These volunteers are available to help any business owners grow. To meet with a volunteer mentor, visit SCORE.ORG. If you wish to volunteer as a mentor, visit SCORE.ORG/VOLUNTEER
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Financial Resources & Grants
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MD Dept of Housing and Community Development (DHCD) Offers New Programs to Provide Financial Assistance to Small Businesses
NourishMD Grant Program provides certain retailers that sell, or aspire to sell, healthy and fresh foods with grants of up to $150,000 for equipment, capital improvements, inventory, operating costs, and more. Grant application process available 1/20-2/20/26. This program bases eligibility on the Maryland Community Business Compass.
Own Your Future Program provides participation loans of up to $5 million to help small businesses purchase property to operate in. Loans under the program come with flexible terms and can be used to purchase a building that a business is currently renting, purchase a new building, or construct or renovate a new building to operate in. The loans require a 1:1 private capital match with DHCD in a subordinate position, and the senior lender 20% at risk.
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Newly Adopted Room Tax Rate of 6.0% Effective January 1, 2026
Effective January 1, 2026, the hotel rental tax rate imposed on all short-term rentals (4 months or less) within
Worcester County will increase from 5% to 6%. This tax is calculated on the amount paid for a room or building rental at any hotel, motel, apartment, cottage, or other similar place providing sleeping accommodations. This sales/use tax applies to all compensation received for use of the sleeping space.
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Feb. 1 Deadline • Please Take the Semi-Annual Eastern Shore Business Sentiment Survey
BEACON, along with the three Eastern Shore Regional Councils, and Economic Development departments of the 9 Eastern
Shore counties, are conducting a semi-annual survey on the sentiment of businesses on Maryland’s Eastern Shore as 2025
concludes. This survey gives a localized view of our business community and their concerns and expectations for the next year. The results of the survey are reported by BEACON and available to the public on the Delmarva index.
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Through Dec. 31 • Take the Chamber Lights Tour!
Download the Experience Ocean City app, go to “Tours” and choose Chamber Lights. Check in at 5 or more locations participating in our Chamber Lights decorating contest for a chance to win prizes!
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