For Immediate Release: Thursday, February 4, 2021
ROCKVILLE, Md., Feb. 4, 2021—On Friday, Feb. 5 at 12:30 p.m., Montgomery County Councilmember Sidney Katz will host the seventeenth installment in his ongoing series of virtual business briefings for County residents on the online video communications platform Zoom. Councilmember Katz started holding these business and economic development briefings while serving as Council president during the COVID-19 pandemic, to help businesses, nonprofits and residents navigate the pandemic and economic recovery.
Councilmember Katz will be joined on Feb. 5 by Marla Bilonick, executive director of the Latino Economic Development Center (LEDC), and Ermias Stefanos, owner of Metro Coffee and Convenience in Rockville Café and Grocery. The guests will discuss their respective experiences working within the business community of the County. Ms. Bilonick will share insight on the perspectives of businesses and entrepreneurs connected to LEDC, and Mr. Stefanos will discuss the challenges he has encountered as a small business owner amid the pandemic.
“This is a very difficult time for local businesses, and the County Council is dedicated to doing everything we can to support during this incredibly trying time,” said Councilmember Katz. “I look forward to discussing the issues facing our small business owners, as well as recent efforts to help ensure that local businesses, businesses owned by people of color and women-owned businesses are not being left behind.”
Residents can submit their questions for Councilmember Katz and the other participants by e-mailing [email protected], and will also have the opportunity to submit questions in the Zoom chat during the question and answer portion of the briefing. Those wishing to participate in the briefing can register ahead of time by emailing [email protected]. The Zoom call information will be sent by e-mail to participants when they register.
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Release ID: 21-039