State Announces Maryland Apprenticeship Ambassador Program
The Maryland Apprenticeship Ambassador Program, an incentive program that raises awareness about apprenticeships and encourages job seekers and businesses to engage in apprenticeship opportunities, has been established by the state of Maryland. The program calls for apprenticeship ambassadors to demonstrate a commitment to apprenticeships and/or employ apprentices in their workforce, maintain a high profile in their sector or geographical area, and/or represent a broad membership of workforce stakeholders.
“The Maryland Apprenticeship Ambassador Program is a significant unifying movement, and I applaud Gov. [Larry] Hogan and [Department of Labor, Licensing & Regulation] Secretary [Kelly] Schulz for making apprenticeship a priority,” said Regional Manufacturing Institute of Maryland (RMI) President Mike Galiazzo. “Apprenticeship is a meaningful bridge to good-paying jobs in today’s high tech manufacturing industry — from digital tech to biotech, and from cyber to material sciences. The [RMI] is honored to be the first to join this program, which is a national model addressing the workforce needs of all industries.”
For more information, contact [email protected] or call 410-767-2246.
City of Laurel Looking for Residents’ Input on MAGLEV Project
Laurel Mayor Craig Moe, and President Michael Leszcz and the Laurel City Council, have been following news about the proposed high-speed MAGLEV project that could be built through Prince George’s County and are asking for citizen input.
In addition, Moe recently wrote a letter to Gov. Larry Hogan opposing this project, one reason being it “will cut through Prince George’s County, taking people’s homes and land, while seriously damaging our environment, but providing no benefit to the greater Laurel area or Prince George’s County” (more reasons that can be found at https://tinyurl.com/OpposingMAGLEV).
A meeting was held on Jan. 10 to introduce the first public hearing on Resolution No. 2-18, a resolution of the Mayor and City Council of Laurel opposing the high-speed Superconducting Magnetic Levitation (SMAGLEV) System between Washington, D.C., and Baltimore. The public is encouraged to call Moe’s office at 301-725-5300, ext. 2125, or to contact him at [email protected].
Terrasa to Enter District 13 Race
Howard County Councilwoman Jen Terrasa (D-Dist. 3) has announced her intention to run for Maryland State Delegate in District 13 to replace Del. Frank Turner, who is retiring at the completion of his current term in 2018.
In a post on her Facebook page on Jan. 6 — one day after Turner made his retirement plans public — Terrasa said her decision came after a year of considering what to do next after her third council term ends (due to term limits) in 2018. “I knew that I wanted to continue working with the community to address concerns, solve problems and improve life for everyone in Howard County,” she said.
Turner has won five re-election bids since he was first elected to the House of Delegates in 1974. “I do believe, after some soul-searching, that this is the right time to bring a replacement to voice the interests, concerns and issues of District 13,” he said.
HCEDA Releases Economic, Fiscal Assessment Regarding County’s APFO Legislation
With the recent unveiling of the Howard County Adequate Public Facilities Ordinance (APFO) legislation (CB01-2018), the Howard County Economic Development Authority (HCEDA) has released an independent high-level assessment of the bill’s possible impact.
Completed by Richard Clinch from the Jacob France Institute at the University of Baltimore and Ed Steere of Valbridge Property Advisors, the assessment performed a high-level analysis to quantify the economic and fiscal impacts if CB01-2018 is enacted and has the effect of a building moratorium in Howard County.
The report is available at http://hceda.org/media/56683839/HoCoAPFO18.pdf; more information regarding the council hearing can be found at https://cc.howardcountymd.gov/Calendar/EventId/862/e/county-council-legislative-public-hearing-16-jan-2018.
Arundel Announces $48M Public Safety Radio System Upgrade
Anne Arundel County has announced a $48.4 million capital construction contract to replace and improve the public safety radio system in the county. The project will replace all first responder mobile, portable and network radio equipment and comply with P25 public safety radio industry standards, providing improved interoperability between the county and its neighboring jurisdictions.
The contract with Motorola Solutions requires guaranteed in-building portable radio coverage inside of 196 critical buildings throughout Anne Arundel County. These buildings include schools, hospitals, police stations, fire stations and government buildings. The system will address many current system coverage issues and will provide improved radio coverage inside of structures throughout the county.
In addition to improvements to voice dispatch radio performance, the new system will include state-of-the-art technology to enhance the safety and efficiency of first responders in Anne Arundel County, including real-time GPS location of first responders when they are away from their vehicles.
Lee & Associates Maryland’s Transactional Volume Rises
33% to $350M
Lee & Associates Maryland achieved transactional volume of $350 million in 2017 on the strength of 182 separate commercial office, industrial and retail leasing and sale transactions, a figure that represents a 33% increase from the previous year. The number of transactions completed by the company was a 20% rise from the previous year and included 19 building sales.
During the past four years, the local office has grown to more than 20 employees, including 14 brokerage agents, as well as five professionals working for Lee Chesapeake Property Management. “Since establishing the Maryland office in 2013, we have improved our transactional volume exponentially each year and, in 2017, we achieved the highest totals in our history,” said Allan Riorda, president and principal of the Lee & Associates Maryland office.
“The most active real estate product was and remains the flex/office and industrial category, as fueled by the continued proliferation of online retail sales and the ongoing need for high-quality and strategically-located real estate space to support logistics,” said Tom Whelan, principal for Lee & Associates. “As evidenced by an approximate 6.1% commercial office vacancy rate, the Howard County marketplace finished 2017 as the healthiest jurisdiction in the region.”
WalletHub Ranks Maryland Second Most Affected by Government Shutdown
With the U.S. government closed for business for the 19th time since 1976 and Democrats and Republicans placing the blame on each other, on Monday, Jan. 22, the personal finance website WalletHub released its report on the States Most & Least Affected by the 2018 Government Shutdown to add some hard data to the rhetoric.
WalletHub compared the 50 states and the District of Columbia in terms of six key metrics, ranging from each state’s share of federal jobs and contracts to the percentage of kids covered by the Children’s Health Insurance Program (CHIP). The main findings are below. To view the full report, visit https://wallethub.com/edu/government-shutdown-report/1111.
Impact of the Government Shutdown on Maryland (1: Most Affected, 25: Average):
1st: Share of Federal Jobs
1st: Federal Contract Dollars Per Capita
2nd: Real Estate as a Percentage of Gross State Product
1st: Access to National Parks
26th: Percentage of Children under CHIP
TSA Pre3, TWIC Card Services Now Offered at MDOT MVA Locations
The Maryland Department of Transportation Motor Vehicle Administration (MDOT MVA) has expanded its TSA Pre3 and Transportation Worker Identification Credential (TWIC) card services to the Glen Burnie branch office. Glen Burnie is the last of six locations that have added the services in a rollout that started in July 2017.
Customers who sign up for TSA Pre3, a program that allows enrollees to expedite the airport screening process, can keep on their shoes, belts and light jackets, leave laptops in their cases and 3-1-1 compliant liquids/gels in their carry-on bags. MDOT MVA’s Glen Burnie branch has enrolled nearly 100 people in the program since it began offering the service on Dec. 22, 2017; statewide, nearly 6,300 Marylanders have signed up for TSA Pre3 through the program.
In addition, MDOT MTA has issued 1,629 TWIC cards, which are required for maritime workers, including terminal employees, longshoremen, truck drivers and contractors, to access secure locations at Maryland port facilities. TSA Pre3 and TWIC card services also are offered in Annapolis and at other MDOT MVA offices. For more information about TSA Pre3 or how to obtain a TWIC card, visit www.mva.maryland.gov.
Columbia-Based Aspect
Security Joins EY
Aspect Security, a cybersecurity consulting firm in Columbia, has joined Ernst & Young (EY) in the U.S., in its EY Advisory cybersecurity practice.
Established in 2002, Aspect Security offers industry-leading application security services and solutions with leadership in the mobile technology, social media and cloud computing domains. With Aspect Security’s team onboard, EY can increase its focused and comprehensive coverage on application and product security.
EY recently opened an advanced cybersecurity center in Dallas, Texas, as part of EY wavespace. The cybersecurity center will bring together multi-disciplinary teams, distinct capabilities and collaborative working environments focusing on disruptive growth, optimization strategies and technologies. It also will serve as a learning hub to help train clients and EY’s next generation of cybersecurity professionals.
Anne Arundel to Open Library at Westfield Annapolis Mall
Discoveries: The Library at the Mall, the Anne Arundel County Public Library (AACPL), is slated to open a new location at Westfield Annapolis (Annapolis Mall) on April 30. It will be located in a 3,000-square-foot storefront in the west wing of the mall, across from Under Armour and near Crate & Barrel.
The first mall library in Central Maryland, the unique partnership will provide services to area residents and mall customers during the rebuilding of the Annapolis branch of the AACPL, which is located at 1410 West Street, in 2018 and 2019. The branch is made possible through the support of the AACPL Foundation and Westfield Annapolis.
Customers will be able to read new and classic books for kids, teens and adults; comfortable seating; a Discovery Dock children’s area; WiFi; self-checkout capabilities; public computers; DVDs; a 3-D printer; and an area to pick up materials placed on hold. Staff also will offer weekly early literacy programs and educational events for kids and teens.
ACell Kicks Off Construction of State-of-the-Art Learning Center
ACell Inc. has hosted a wall-breaking ceremony to kick off construction for a new, state-of-the-art learning center at its Columbia headquarters. ACell is partnering with Axis Research & Technologies, of Irvine, Calif.; Howard County; and the state of Maryland to provide the new resource, which will facilitate advanced training and education opportunities in the life sciences industry.
The learning center will include facilities to host on-site, hands-on programs, as well as a novel technology platform to conduct virtual training events including live broadcasts and advanced video conferencing. The facility will be designed to meet the needs of medical device manufacturers, health care systems and health care practitioners.
ACell plans to utilize the center to train its team of more than 300 employees, as well as offer professional education programs for health care practitioners in the areas of wound management and general surgery. It is scheduled to open in July.
The Squires Group Launches New Website, Brand Identity
The Squires Group (TSGi), of Annapolis, has launched a new website featuring its new Build Great brand identity. Company President Eric Galasso and Director of Marketing and Operations Apurva Shah led the effort, and worked with Haley Marketing, from Buffalo, N.Y., to help create the concept, design, content and user interface. In addition, Flying Brick, also of Annapolis, assisted with the creation of TSGi’s brand identity.
“In addition to our new design, the site is also rich in expanded features and content. In the Search Jobs section, candidates will now be able to connect directly with and see a photo of our resource manager that will assist them with their career search,” said Nancy Squires, CEO of TSGi.
“I strongly believe in providing personal interaction and service to all of our candidates and clients, whether they’re calling us or virtually interacting with us on our website,” Squires said. “With the updated design and content, our new clients and partners can quickly view our relevant industry experience and past performance case studies.”
BWI Marshall Announces Record-Breaking Passenger Traffic
Passenger traffic at BWI Thurgood Marshall Airport surpassed 26 million passengers in 2017, marking the third consecutive year of record passenger traffic. In addition, an updated economic impact study revealed that the airport produces more than $9.3 billion in total economic activity for the state and region, and has added 8,751 jobs since 2015.
The Regional Economic Impact of BWI Marshall Airport report shows that the airport and visitors generate and support 106,488 jobs. The growth of 8,751 jobs represents an 8.95% increase from the last airport economic study, which was based on 2014 data. BWI Marshall’s economic activity creates and supports $4.1 billion in total employment earnings, along with $591.9 million in state and local taxes, the report shows. The 2017 statistics on cargo and number of flights are being finalized.
British American Auto Care Renamed BA Auto Care
After four decades of operating under the name British American Auto Care, the company has officially shortened its name to BA Auto Care. The family-owned business will maintain the same management team, staff, phone number and location. The auto shop has been servicing most foreign and domestic models; however, the new name heightens its appeal to owners of a wider range of vehicles.
“Often, I get questions from neighbors and friends, even customers, asking whether we service their [non-British] European or Asian car. Although we have a rich heritage as British American Auto Care, it just makes sense to move to a name that is less limiting,” said Brian England, president of BA Auto Care. The website will change to www.baautocare.com.
Loyola’s Accounting Program Earns Industry Endorsement
The accounting program at Loyola University Maryland’s Sellinger School of Business and Management earned endorsement from the Institute of Management Accountants, one of the largest associations dedicated to advancing the management accounting profession.
The endorsement recognizes programs that meet educational standards enabling students to pursue and earn designation as a certified management accountant. To qualify for endorsement, schools must substantially cover Certified Management Accountant exam content, have ample faculty resources and hold accreditation. Sellinger’s accounting program is accredited by the Association to Advance Collegiate Schools of Business, which has only accredited 169 of the thousands of programs around the world.
SBA Baltimore District Office Relocates
The U.S. Small Business Administration’s (SBA) Baltimore District Office has relocated to 100 South Charles Street, Suite 1201, Baltimore, MD 21201. All phone numbers and email addresses remain the same. The office serves the state of Maryland, with the exception of Prince George’s and Montgomery counties, which are served by the SBA’s Washington Metro Area District Office.
The SBA was created in 1953 and, since Jan. 13, 2012, has served as a Cabinet-level agency of the federal government to aid, counsel, assist and protect the interests of small business concerns, to preserve free competitive enterprise and to maintain and strengthen the overall economy of our nation.
BWI Marshall to Welcome Icelandair in May
Icelandair will start nonstop service from BWI Thurgood Marshall Airport to Reykjavik, Iceland, with four weekly round-trip flights starting on May 28. Icelandair’s hub in Reykjavik connects with more than 25 markets across Europe. Icelandair will offer the service between BWI Marshall and Iceland with its Boeing 757-200 aircraft.
Icelandair is the fourth new international air service for BWI Marshall to be announced in recent months. Air Canada will add service to Montreal in May, and Spirit Airlines will begin service to Montego Bay in March and tour operator Vacation Express announced seasonal flights to Cozumel starting in June.
MacKenzie Selected to Represent Anne Arundel County
MacKenzie Commercial Real Estate Services has been awarded the contract to represent Anne Arundel County for its real estate requirements. MacKenzie will utilize its full spectrum of commercial real estate offerings including brokerage services, consulting, and mapping and data analytics to effectively position the county’s real estate holdings.
The assignment will be led by industry veterans Trish Farrell and David McClatchy and serviced from the firm’s Annapolis office.
HCEDA Concludes Operations at Millworks in Historic Ellicott City
As part of the recovery effort after the July 2016 flood, the Howard County Economic Development Authority (HCEDA) rented and rehabbed the space at 8098 Main Street as a business resource center for the community. The building was called Millworks to represent the town’s historical milling economy.
The location is being transformed back into its original use as a viable space for businesses to rent in Ellicott City, which is back to almost full occupancy in the historic district.
Howard DPW to Host Public Meeting on Ellicott City Building Floodproofing Study
Howard County’s Department of Public Works (DPW) will hold a public meeting on Wednesday, Feb. 21, from 7 to 8:30 p.m., in the George Howard Building’s Columbia/Ellicott City Room, at 3430 Court House Drive, Ellicott City, to discuss the results of an Ellicott City building floodproofing study.
The study, which evaluated building types and floodproofing options, was conducted by the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers (USACE). While the study’s target area consisted of Historic Ellicott City, primarily Main Street from Route 29 to the Patapsco River, its results and recommendations can be applied countywide. Possible options for property owners to pursue will be shared at the meeting.
A formal presentation explaining the results of the study will take place starting at 7 p.m. After the presentation, DPW staff members and representatives from USACE will remain on hand to answer any questions.
Those unable to attend the meeting who would like to view the study results and/or have questions regarding the project should contact Mark Richmond of DPW’s Stormwater Management Division at 410-313-6413 or email [email protected]. For questions or more information about this meeting, contact Lisa Brightwell at 410-313-3440 or email [email protected].
Howard Budget Garners Special Performance Measures Recognition by GFOA
Howard County has received the Special Performance Measures Recognition as well as the Distinguished Budget Presentation Award from the Government Finance Officers Association (GFOA) of the United States and Canada.
Fewer than 2% of the 1,600 jurisdictions participating in the GFOA’s Distinguished Budget Award program receive a special recognition on performance measures each year nationwide, according to John Fishbein, senior program manager for GFOA. A budget has to receive “outstanding” ratings on performance measures from all reviewers in order to receive this recognition for excellence in providing objective measures of progress toward accomplishing mission, goals and objectives in specific agencies, as well as organization-wide.