Innovation + Job News

The Baltimore City Food Policy Task Force has announced 10 key recommendations to increase demand for and access to healthy food options in the city. Food insecurity � defined as lack of access to enough food for an active and healthy lifestyle � afflicts nearly 14 percent of low-income Baltimore families, according to the task force.

Poor diet and obesity are associated with numerous chronic health problems, including cardiovascular disease and stroke, two of the leading causes of mortality in Baltimore City. The mortality rate of heart disease is 30 percent higher for Baltimore City than among all Maryland residents over the past seven years. The lack of neighborhood markets that sell fresh produce has created large "food deserts" in Baltimore City where residents must travel a mile or more to get fresh groceries.

"With this report, we have a strategy that government agencies, businesses, educators, healthcare providers, and non-profit organizations can use to give all City residents improved access to healthy fruits and vegetables," says Mayor Stephanie Rawlings-Blake. "Implementing these recommendations will go a long way toward improving the health and quality of life of City residents."

Recommendations include promoting and expanding farmers' markets, community gardens and urban agriculture. The city will also seek to encourage street vending of healthy foods and expand the Health Department's Virtual Supermarket Project, which helps residents living in food deserts order groceries online at their local library branch. Studies show that a healthy diet significantly reduces the risk of developing cardiovascular disease.

While the U.S. boasts one of the most abundant food supplies in the world, disparities in access, affordability and quality have garnered attention by a wide variety of stakeholders in the food system. The formation of the task force came about because of wide support across sectors and interest in creating new opportunities to improve the current food situation.

"Heart disease is Baltimore's number one killer, and has been for a long time," explains Interim Health Commissioner Olivia D. Farrow. "Making healthy food accessible in every low-income community is the first step toward lowering the number of deaths in Baltimore from diet-related health problems."

Holly Freishtat has been hired by the Department of planning to serve as Baltimore City's new Food Policy Director. Freishtat will be responsible for implementing the recommendations of the Food Policy Task Force. Her position is funded by the Sustainability Food Fund, which was created by the Baltimore Community Foundation through generous donations from the Abell Foundation, Kaiser Permanente, and the Annie E. Casey Foundation.

"Having someone with Holly's experience in food policy is a unique and major asset for the City of Baltimore," says Seema Iyer, chief of Research and Strategic Planning for the Department of Planning. "We don't have a 'Department of Food', so she will help to institutionalize close collaboration between the Departments of Health and Planning and the Office of Sustainability and really all the stakeholders involved in ensuring access to healthy food for all Baltimoreans."

The Food Policy Task Force convened in 2009, and is comprised of representatives from a cross-section of city agencies, organizations, businesses, and stakeholders in Baltimore's food production, distribution, and consumption system.

The full list of recommendations from the Task Force are:

1. Promote and expand farmers' markets
2. Promote and expand Community Supported Agriculture
3. Support continued research on food deserts and collaboration with policymakers
4. Support a central kitchen model for the Baltimore City Public School System
5. Support community gardens and urban agriculture
6. Expand supermarket home delivery system
7. Improve the food environment around schools and recreation centers
8. Encourage street vending of healthy foods
9. Create healthy food zoning requirements or incentives
10. Develop a targeted marketing campaign to encourage healthy eating among all Baltimoreans

Source: Baltimore City Department of Planning
Writer: Walaika Haskins

TheUniversity of Maryland School of Medicine has received $12.3 million in National Institutes of Health (NIH) grants to renovate research laboratories of the University of Maryland Marlene and Stewart Greenebaum Cancer Center and to build core facilities � centralized areas of technology and expertise � that will provide key support services to cancer researchers. The funds are part of $1 billion in funding made available by the federal government through the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act for construction or renovation of research facilities.

The NIH's National Center for Research Resources (NCRR) has awarded a $5 million C06 construction grant to renovate laboratories on the eighth floor of the School of Medicine's Bressler Research Building at 655 W. Baltimore St. Another $7.3 million G20 Core Renovation, Repair and Improvement grant will be used to consolidate existing core laboratories and build new facilities on the sixth and seventh floors of the Bressler Building.

These new core laboratories will provide "shared services" to cancer researchers and other scientists at the University of Maryland School of Medicine and other professional schools at the University of Maryland, Baltimore. Many of these support services benefit the cancer center, which is part of the School of Medicine and the University of Maryland Medical Center.

"These NCRR grants will enable us to build new, modern laboratory facilities for our researchers that hopefully will pave the way for major breakthroughs in cancer research. We are continually expanding our research program, and constructing state-of-the-art laboratories is critical to that effort," says Kevin J. Cullen, M.D., director of the University of Maryland Marlene and Stewart Greenebaum Cancer Center and professor of medicine and director of the Program in Oncology at the University of Maryland School of Medicine.

"Our cancer center has been recognized by the National Cancer Institute for its scientific excellence, and our faculty members conduct some of the most innovative and promising cancer research in the nation. These new laboratories will not only facilitate this work but also will help us to recruit more top-tier scientists to our cancer center," says E. Albert Reece, M.D., Ph.D., M.B.A., acting president of the University of Maryland, Baltimore, and dean of the University of Maryland School of Medicine.

The newly renovated space will be used by individual molecular and structural biology researchers and will also house core labs for confocal microscopy, proteomics, flow cytometry, tissue-culturing and tissue-related services such as histology and immunohistochemistry, as well as the Genomics Core Facility, which provides cutting-edge genomic support for researchers.

The renovation on the eighth floor of the Bressler Building is scheduled to begin in November and will be completed in August 2011. The construction on the sixth and seven floors will begin upon completion of the eighth floor renovations and be finished by August 2012.


Source: University of Maryland Medical School
Writer: Walaika Haskins

Getting around the Inner Harbor may test the patience of drivers most days, but a new deal approved by Mayor Stephanie Rawlings-Blake and the City Council will turn the streets of Downtown Baltimore into a world-class race track in August 2011.

The 5-year agreement will allow for an IndyCar® 'Baltimore Grand Prix' street-racing event around the Inner Harbor and Camden Yards. "This is a game-changer for Baltimore," Mayor Stephanie Rawlings-Blake said after voting to approve the agreement.

The brainchild of Baltimore Racing Development (BRD), the Baltimore Grand Prix will be a three-day event that is expected to draw 100,000 indy racing enthusiasts from across the globe to Charm City and bring in some $80 million dollars to the local economy.Over five years, the race is expected to generate $11 million in direct city tax revenue, create nearly 2000 full-time equivalent jobs and $250 million in spending injected into the City's economy, according to the Economic Impact Report released by BRD.

Mayor Rawlings-Blake says that in addition to filling City hotel rooms and restaurants, the street race will "change the way the world sees Baltimore," as a result of global media exposure to millions of Indy Racing League (IRL) fans who attend similar events in Monte Carlo, San Paulo, Long Beach, and St. Petersburg. The race will be broadcast on national television to more than 3.5 million domestic viewers. Related media and marketing exposure is valued at an estimated $27.5 million over five years, according to the economic report.

As part of the agreement, Baltimore Racing Development will:

• Share event revenues with the City and pay an annual event fee.
• Comply with the City's Minority/Women Business Enterprise Program (MBE/WBE).
• Spend $12 to $14 million on race preparations, using primarily local businesses and labor.
• Create a 'Community Benefit Fund' of no less than $500 thousand over five years to make grants to community organizations in neighborhoods impacted by the event.

"BRD is deeply committed to Baltimore City. For us, making sure that all City residents, businesses, and communities benefit from this event was a top priority," says Jay Davidson, president of BRD. With the approval of today's agreement, the final sanction agreement between BRD and IRL is expected to be completed in the next two weeks, according to both organizations.

BRD and the City have already begun developing an Event Management Plan to address construction, public safety, traffic, parking, and other community impact issues. The event has already received letters of support from surrounding community associations eager to prepare for the event.

The agreement is an important milestone in making the Baltimore Grand Prix a reality. The event is a three day racing festival with many related events which will be free and open to the public. The race will include several ancillary events including a parade, fireworks, concerts, charity receptions, and celebrity races.

According to the BRD, the next step is for the Indy Racing League (IRL) to sign a sanctioning agreement. That should happen by May 31.

"The Indy Race is a huge event for Baltimore. People travel from around the world to attend and spend money in our hotels, restaurants, and attractions while they are here," says Visit Baltimore President and CEO Tom Noonan. "The national media coverage alone is worth millions of dollars in free advertising for the city that will generate new awareness of Baltimore with convention planners and leisure travelers."

Under the terms of the agreement, the City must modify and improve certain streets and sidewalks and other transportation-related infrastructure to comply the standards of the Indy Racing League.

Funds to improve roadways for the 2011 � 2016 Baltimore Grand Prix will come from two sources: Federal Highway Aid under the Surface Transportation program (STP) and a grant repayment agreement based on the City's share of state Highway User Revenues (HUR). The total estimated cost of improvements is $7.75 million comprised of $5 million STP funds and $2.75 in repayable HUR grants. In accordance with federal and state rules, these funds may only be used transportation-related expenses, and may not be diverted to other City programs.

Source: Baltimore City Mayor's Office
Writer: Walaika Haskins

As thousands of impending college grads planning their next move, a recent report from Apartments.com and CareerRookie.com says that they should look at Balimore. Charm City was ranked No. 9 on the sites' joint list of the "Top 10 Best Cities for Recent Colege Graduates."

The two websites say they decided to do the report because while choosing the best place to settle down can be a daunting decision, the current economic climate have raised the stakes. The report is intende to provide recent graduates with a reliable resource during a time when they are making "real-world" decisions

"Many new grads are feeling the pressure of deciding where to live after college," says Tammy Kotula, public relations and promotions manager, Apartments.com. "Finding an affordable apartment and a good job may determine where to live, but it's also important to look at cities offering the culture and lifestyle these young adults enjoy. With so many factors to consider, we want to provide new grads with a reliable resource to help them make informed decisions about these important next steps."

The report looks at the number of entry-level job openings, rental prices for one-bedroom apartments and most popular resident populations of young adults. Baltimore's $1041 average rental price for a one-bedroom apartment, combined with the availability of entry-level positions in sales, customer service, and management.


Source: Apartment.com/CareerRookie.com
Writer: Walaika Haskins

Baltimore County residents will soon see the impact from the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act (ARRA) grant. County Executive Jim Smith is using $8 million of the funding to resurface roads throughout the county. 

The resurfacing of McCormick Road (1.8 miles from York Road to Beaver Dam Road) is the first in a series of projects that will stretch over the next two years. This event marks federal funds reaching the County to create/preserve jobs.

The grant is limited to minor arterial and collector roads - local, residential streets are excluded - and the 18 roads, covering more than 26 miles, selected for resurfacing have been apportioned evenly among the council districts:

•District 1, Westchester and Dogwood
•District 2, Sugarcone, Greenspring, and Gwynbrook
•District 3, Freeland, Graystone, and McCormick
•District 4, Dogwood and St. Lukes
•District 5, Fairmount and Hillsway
•District 6, Hazelwood, Lillian Holt, and Wilson Point
•District 7, Holabird, Merritt, and Stemmers Run 

"In every crisis, there is an opportunity, and the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act is making the most of this opportunity by investing in projects such as educational programs and infrastructure improvements, the kind of projects that create jobs and strengthen the foundation of our communities," says Smith. "This groundbreaking legislation is investing $787 billion in the future of our nation, giving communities across our country a much needed injection of cash that has helped curb the effects of this recession and put our economy on the path to recovery."


Source: Baltimore County Development Corporation
Writer: Walaika Haskins

Votes have are in and once again, Baltimore City Public Schools (BCPS) have come out on top, winning its second award from People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals (PETA). The school system has been declared the winner of the Most Vegetarian-Friendly Cafeteria contest sponsored by peta2, the world's largest youth animal rights organization. BCPS beat out four other school districts to take the award in the  U.S. Public Schools category. The district will receive a framed certificate and a thank-you card signed by peta2 staffers.

According to peta2, BCPS is the only district among the five nominees that takes part in Meatless Mondays, an animal- and Earth-friendly program offering students an array of healthy and delicious vegan and vegetarian foods. Some popular dishes available in BCPS cafeterias include spicy vegetarian chili, meatless lasagne, and Tex-Mex style black-bean nachos. In another of the school system's innovative program, local farmers and food distributors partner with the district to provide fresh, locally raised fruits and vegetables to students.

"Baltimore City Public Schools stands as a role model for school districts across the country when it comes to educating students about how their food choices affect not only their own health but also the world around them," says peta2 director Dan Shannon. "More and more young people are learning that the best thing that they can do for animals, the planet, and themselves is to go vegan."

BCPS beat out Georgia's Gwinnett County Public Schools, Virginia's Prince William County Schools, the Los Angeles Unified School District, and the Berkeley Unified School District. Awards were also given in the categories of U.S. Private Schools and Canadian Schools. In October 2009, PETA awarded the school system its Proggy Award for Most Progressive Public School District of 2009.


Source: Rachel Owen, peta2
Writer: Walaika Haskins

The Maryland Biotechnology Center, the State of Maryland's portal to programs and resources intended to grow and strengthen the state's bioscience community, has awarded $270,000 through the Maryland Industrial Partnerships (MIPS) program to six biotechnology companies to their product development projects .

MIPS teams Maryland companies with faculty from the University System of Maryland to help the companies develop high technology, biotechnology, or technology-related agricultural products. Companies provide matching funds to help pay for the projects. All funding goes to participating faculty.

The Center recently signed off on initial funding for three projects. Each was in the second year of a two-year (phase 2) project. Three additional first-year projects were also made possible by freeing up MIPS funds to support them.

"As Maryland's resource center for growing and strengthening the state's bioscience community, one of the Maryland Biotechnology Center's charters outlined by Governor Martin O'Malley in his 2009 BioMaryland 2020 strategic plan is to provide funding to assist companies with late-stage commercialization objectives," says Judy Britz, the Center's executive director. "MIPS has a proven process for evaluating viable research projects and a strong history of successfully helping biotechnology companies develop commercial products, so by supporting MIPS, we are fulfilling part of our charter and are boosting key contributors to the growth of the state's bioscience cluster."

The phase 2 projects that the Center will directly support include Rockville-based Aparna Biosciences Corporation that has teamed with A. James Mixson, associate professor, University of Maryland, Baltimore to develop therapeutics to treat a variety of fungal infections; Encore Path Inc., based in Baltimore has, and Appa Anjanappa, professor, University of Maryland, Baltimore County, who are developing a new rehabilitative TREADTRAC Device to enable stroke patients to regain walking skills; and another Rockville-based company, VectorLogics Inc. and Vikram Vakharia, professor, University of Maryland Biotechnology Institute, who are working on a treatment for the hepatitis C virus that uses viral vectors to deliver therapeutic proteins.

MIPS was able to support three additional projects thanks to the Center funding, including, Rockville-based Celek Pharmaceuticals LLC and Susan Keay, professor, University of Baltimore, to evaluate the efficacy of a novel therapeutic for interstitial cystitis/painful bladder syndrome, a chronic and debilitating bladder disorder; Cellphire Inc., also in Rockville that has teamed with the University of Maryland Biotechnology Institute MDBioproSM (GMP Biomanufacturing Program) to establish a quality system and manufacturing processes for the current Good Manufacturing Practice (cGMP) production of the company's freeze-dried platelet products for both diagnostic and therapeutic indications; and College Park's Zymetis Inc. that is working with Robert M. Briber, professor, University of Maryland, College Park, in the development of low-cost solvent systems to reduce the crystallinity of native cellulose, reducing the need for enzymes in biomass digestion for the production of ethanol and other biofuels.

"MIPS has helped three of the most successful biotechnology companies in Maryland�MedImmune [part of AstraZeneca], Martek Biosciences, and Digene Corporation [now part of Qiagen]�develop products," says MIPS director Martha Connolly. "These companies have generated thousands of jobs, brought in millions in revenue and contributed tax dollars to the economy. The Maryland Biotechnology Center funding allows us to bolster what could be the leading biotechnology companies of tomorrow."

The Maryland Biotechnology Center contract with MIPS is for one year.

Source: The Maryland Biotechnology Center
Writer: Walaika Haskins

The Amerigroup Foundation has awarded an $8,000 grant to the Maryland Department of Health and Mental Hygiene-Center for Maternal and Child Health (DHMH). The contribution will be used to help improve access to prenatal care in Baltimore City and Prince George's County by providing prenatal vitamins for those who register for prenatal care.

"Nutrition plays a critical role in pregnancy, and with Amerigroup's help, we will be able to provide prenatal vitamins to pregnant women, one step on the road to a healthy pregnancy and a healthy baby, as a part of Baltimore's strategic plan for improving birth outcomes," says DHMH Medical Director Dr. Lee Woods. "We are very pleased to receive this support from Amerigroup for our efforts to improve the health of mothers and babies in Baltimore."

The award is part of the Amerigroup Foundation's program that recognizes outstanding public advocacy efforts by government and community leaders to improve the health and well-being of children nationwide. This grant will reach almost 5,000 women and infants, according to the foundation.

"Baltimore City and the 44th Legislative District, in particular, have the highest infant mortality rate in the state," Maryland Delegate Keith Haynes explains. "It is incumbent upon all of us to do everything possible to decrease and ultimately eliminate infant mortality.

"As vice-chair of the Appropriations Subcommittee on Health, I see firsthand the need for the resources to address this issue, and I applaud Amerigroup's financial contribution and commitment in this effort," he adds. "It will literally have a tremendous impact on not only saving lives but providing a future to our children."

This initiative is part of a comprehensive strategy in both Baltimore City and Prince George's County to reduce infant mortality 10 percent by 2012. It is Goal No. 14 of the Governor's Delivery Unit's 15 Strategic Policy Goals is to reduce the rate to 7.2 percent in the next two years, which would be the lowest rate in Maryland's history.

Source: Maryland Department of Health and Mental Hygiene-Center for Maternal and Child Health
Writer: Walaika Haskins

Baltimore-based McCormick & Company, Inc. has pegged Constellation energy to develop a new 1.8-megawatt (DC) solar photovoltaic power system at the McCormick distribution center in Belcamp, Md. The new solar roof will be the largest single rooftop solar installation in Maryland, and is the second solar installation developed for McCormick by Constellation Energy. In late 2008, the companies brought a nearly 1-megawatt solar installation online at McCormick's Spice Mill in Hunt Valley, Md. Construction of this latest installation has been scheduled to begin in late June with estimated completion by the close of 2010.

"In order for renewables to expand and make a meaningful impact, you have to have organizations like McCormick that make a commitment to sustainability and developers such as Constellation Energy that make clean energy practical and reliable," says Michael Smith, senior vice president of green initiatives for Constellation Energy. "We are very pleased to be working again with McCormick on a new solar installation. This affirms that Constellation Energy's solar model creates an affordable and realistic renewable energy solution for our customers."

Constellation Energy will finance the project, including design and construction of the installation, and then own and maintain the solar power system for a period of 20 years. McCormick purchases energy produced by the solar installations hosted at its facilities. Structuring solar projects in this way creates an attractive business model that creates no upfront costs for customers and provides them with firm power costs over a long term. Constellation Energy expects McCormick to save an estimated $3.4 million in electricity costs over the term of the agreement.

"We have had a very positive response to our earlier solar installations from our customers, employees and shareholders," says Alan Wilson, chairman, president, and CEO of McCormick. "With this new project, McCormick becomes one of the largest corporate users of solar power in the state of Maryland. This is a great source of pride and a clear sign of our ongoing commitment to the environment and sustainability in general. Sustainability makes great sense from a business perspective and is 'Truly our Nature' at McCormick."

The McCormick Distribution Center solar project is currently designed to utilize 8,372 crystalline photovoltaic solar panels on the facility's 363,000 square foot rooftop. The system is expected annually to generate power equivalent to the amount of electricity used by 195 homes in a year. Generating that same amount of electricity using non-renewable sources would result in the release of more than 1,600 metric tons of carbon dioxide, a greenhouse gas, and the equivalent of the emissions from more than 300 passenger vehicles annually. The project will also create a number of new green jobs, requiring approximately 17,000 man-hours during construction.

Constellation Energy currently has approximately 25 megawatts of on-site solar projects completed or under development throughout the U.S. and announced recently that it has set aside $90 million to fund the development of similar solar installations in 2010. Qualifying projects of 500 kilowatts generally require at least 100,000 square feet of roof space or two acres of open ground.

Source: Constellation Energy
Writer: Walaika Haskins

Shoppers hip to the glory of area Farmer's Markets in Baltimore City, Baltimore County and Howard County can begin making their lists.

The 33rd annual Baltimore Farmers' Market & Bazaar opens for the season on Sunday, May 2. At 7am, patrons can shop early for the region's freshest produce, poultry, meats, seafood, spices, baked goods, preserves, fresh flowers, plants and more. The bazaar returns with unique crafts and collectibles including fashion accessories, home d�cor items and other one-of-a-kind artworks. The festivities start with a live performance by the Baltimore Islanders Steel Band from 9am-noon. On opening day, the market will have a large selection of plants and flowers. Those with a green thumb or aspiring gardeners can get expert advice on planting and growing herbs from the Baltimore City Master Gardeners, trained volunteers of the University of Maryland Cooperative Extension. The Baltimore Farmers' Market & Bazaar, located on Saratoga Street between Holliday and Gay streets under the Jones Falls Expressway, is open every Sunday from May 2 through December 19 from 7am until sell out, approximately noon.

New to the market this year is an assortment of vendors including Banksy's Caf�, a local restaurant offering vegetarian burgers and salads; Wheely Good Smoothies that sells drinks powered by a bicycle; and Many Rocks Farm, which specializes in various cuts of goat meat. Shoppers can purchase fresh foods directly from regional farmers. Throughout the season, top concessionaires offer great deals on crisp fruits and vegetables, fish, pork, beef, baked breads and pastries, jams and jellies, salsas, dairy and nut products, flavorful herbs, and multicultural foods including Asian, Caribbean, Indian and Spanish cuisines. The Baltimore Farmers' Market & Bazaar will be at full capacity by the end of June.

Baltimore County kicks off its growing season markets in Towson at Kenilworth on May 5, in Catonsville on May 6 and in Owings Mills on May 17. Markets in Dundalk Village, East Point, White Marsh, other Towson locations, Pikesville, Randallstown and Woodlawn open in June and July.

Howard County Farmers' Markets get under way starting May 6 when the first of five area markets opens at East Columbia Library in Columbia. On May 8, Glenwood Library joins the fresh produce party with the Oakland Mills market opening one day later on May 9. Featuring the season's freshest, locally grown produce, baked goods, fruits of the season, flowers, transplants, and organically grown produce and specialty items, these markets draw vendors and patrons from all over the region. Introducing two new locations, the 2010 Farmers' Market schedule offers Howard County new ways to buy local and eat fresh. The remaining two markets, at Miller Library and Howard County General Hospital, will open on June 2 and June 4, respecitvely.

Writer: Walaika Haskins

Maryland led the nation in March, adding the most jobs in the country with 35,800. The boost in hiring marks the highest monthly job gain for the state since 1970 and the second highest since records started in 1939. Hiring was going on in every major sector, a first time since 1996. Some of March's gains represent a rebound from February's blizzards, however even non-weather sensitive sectors showed strong growth, according to the Maryland Department of Business and Economic Development (MBED).

Maryland continues to outpace the nation in job growth, and it consistently remained at least 20% below the nation's unemployment rate, MBED says.

Part of Maryland's strong job growth in March is a result of a rebound from the effects of a record-setting season for snow, with weather-sensitive job sectors leading the way in the historic March growth. Construction added 5,200 jobs, administrative and support services added 5,300 jobs, retail trade added 4,700 jobs, and accommodation and food services added 3,900 jobs.

However, all major sectors added jobs, including some that point to a resurgence in sectors that could be on the mend. Manufacturing's 500 jobs added employment for only the third month in more than two years, as did wholesale trade with 1,700 jobs. The 2,4000 financial services jobs added was just the second increase since October 2008. Among reliable growth sectors, health services added 3,300 jobs, or 1 percent monthly growth, and government added 4,600 jobs, or 0.9 percent monthly growth, of which 500 were federal jobs.

Source: Maryland Department of Business and Economic Development
Writer: Walaika Haskins

Qiagen Inc., a biotech firm based in the Netherlands, will expand its North American headquarters in Germantown, Maryland, adding 117,000 square feet of new manufacturing space and office space to accommodate at least 90 new, fulltime jobs by 2015. The company expects to invest approximately $52 million in the project.

"It is wonderful to see QIAGEN's continuing commitment to growth in Montgomery County through this significant facility and workforce expansion," says Montgomery County Executive Isiah Leggett. "Qiagen has been a leader in the county's biotech community for the past decade, and we look forward to their continued success and ongoing contributions to the global biotech industry from their expanded headquarters campus in Germantown."

Qiagen moved its U.S. headquarters to Montgomery County 10 years ago, when it broke ground at its current Germantown location in 2000 and opened the building in 2002. Qiagen has made significant investments in Maryland, with its 2007 acquisition of Gaithersburg-based Digene, its 2009 acquisition of Frederick-based SABiosciences and its recently announced 2010 license agreement with Johns Hopkins University focused on biomarkers for predicting and measuring the success of cancer treatments.

"We are experiencing rapid growth of our global business, and are pleased to expand our operations and employee base here in Maryland, a region that is an epicenter of bioscience and genomics research, discovery, manufacturing and commercialization," says Sean Augerson, Qiagen's Senior Director of North American Operations. "We appreciate that state and county leadership is focused on not only attracting new bioscience companies to the region, but also to fostering the growth of companies established in this region such as QIAGEN by enabling physical facilities expansions."

Groundbreaking for the expansion is anticipated in Fall 2010, with completion expected in 2012. The project will increase square footage at Qiagen's Germantown campus from 230,000 currently to 347,000 square feet.

"Qiagen's commitment to invest and expand in Maryland reaffirms the State's position as one of the world's leading locations for biotechnology innovation," said Governor O'Malley. "Building on our Bio 2020 initiative, Maryland continues to foster a supportive environment for innovative biotech companies like Qiagen to ensure that we are well positioned for tomorrow's economy. Maryland's biotechnology and life sciences companies develop cutting-edge therapies and diagnostics that have positive implications for individuals here at home and across the globe."

To assist with project costs, Montgomery County provided a $300,000 conditional grant from its Economic Development Fund, administered by DED, and the Maryland Department of Business and Economic Development (DBED) provided a $700,000 conditional loan through the Maryland Economic Development Assistance Authority and Fund (MEDAAF). The company is also eligible for the State's job creation tax credit, as well as local property tax credits and workforce and training programs. QIAGEN currently employs 580 individuals in Montgomery County and nearly 700 employees state-wide. It plans to add 90 new jobs in the County over the next five years. Overall, the company currently employs 1,150 individuals in the U.S. and has 3,500 employees worldwide.

"Qiagen, Inc. is truly one of Montgomery County's crowning biotech success stories, and this major facility expansion and projected job growth illustrates both their leading role in the biotech community and the County's continuing prominence as a destination of choice for new and growing biotech companies," said Silverman. "Our Department and Montgomery County remain committed to helping existing companies, like Qiagen, grow, expand and succeed."

Source: Montgomery County Department of Economic Development
Writer: Walaika Haskins

Baltimore-based Fastspot, an interactive design agency, has been nominated for two Best School/University Websites in the 14th Annual Webby Awards. The firm garnered the noms for their work on the Bucknell University Virtual Tour and the University of Puget Sound's website. And since each category includes just five finalists, Fastspot now has a two out of five chance to take home the Webby for the School/University category.

Hailed as the "Internet's highest honor" by the New York Times, The Webby Awards is the leading international award honoring excellence on the Internet, including websites, interactive advertising, online film and video, and mobile websites. Fastspot is a former Webby honoree and winner. This year, Fastspot Creative Director, Tracey Halvorsen, also participated as a judge for the Awards.

"As a past Webby winner, we recognize the level of competition that occurs in this particular awards program, and what an honor it is to be recognized," says Halvorsen. "It is truly the highest compliment to an interactive agency to have your work make it to the finals in the Webbys. We are beyond thrilled to have two nominations in the same category this year, a very unique distinction."

As a nominee, Fastspot is also eligible to win a Webby People's Voice Award that is decided by votes from the global Web community, meaning anyone cast a vote for Fastspot. Voting has already started and will continute through April 29.  People's Voice and Webby Award winners will be honored at the 14th Annual Webby Awards in New York City on June 14, 2010.

Source: Stacy Spakowsky
Writer: Walaika Haskins

Mayor Stephanie Rawlings-Blake joined Tom Wilcox, President of the Baltimore Community Foundation, to announce a new civic engagement initiative starting in the city. Neighbors In Deed is a $1 million initiative funded by Atlantic Philanthropies, the Baltimore Community Foundation, and the Leonard and Helen R. Stulman Foundation to promote older adult volunteerism. The three-year program, which begins in six neighborhoods later this Spring, will recruit 1200 volunteers to contribute 500,000 hours of volunteer activity. Their combined effort is valued at more than $10 million over the three year period.

"In these difficult economic times, it is clear that we need community members to redouble their efforts to make our neighborhoods stronger and more stable for years to come," says Mayor Rawlings-Blake. "Baltimore has been at the forefront of tapping into the skills and wisdom of our older adults for a decade. This Baltimore Community Foundation initiative will allow us to help six communities in the City and County achieve important community goals they have identified by better using this valuable resource."

Older adults who volunteer will work on community enhancement efforts in six Baltimore neighborhoods: West Baltimore, Northwest Baltimore, North Baltimore, Belair Edison, Highlandtown, and Dundalk in Baltimore County. Older adults interested in volunteering can call the Baltimore Community Foundation at (410) 332-4172, extension 146.

The Intergenerational Center at Temple University will also support the program with Kellogg Foundation funding. The Center is working with the Highlandtown and Greater Homewood areas as one of six areas in the nation in its Communities for All Ages�an intergenerational initiative to help communities better meet the needs of all their residents from cradle to grave.

According to Mr. Wilcox, the Baltimore Community Foundation (BCF) is one of nine community foundations nationally to implement the project as a part of the Atlantic Philanthropies' Community Experience Partnership. Adding to Atlantic's grant are several Baltimore area foundations including BCF, the Stulman Foundation, and the Weinberg Foundation, which have committed over $500K in matching funds.

"The number of Americans over 60 will increase by almost 50 million in the next 20 years," Wilcox says. "We are proud to work with Atlantic Philanthropies and our local foundation partners to realize the potential of those who are determined to apply their experience to make a difference for others."

Each neighborhood identified priorities on which to focus with the help of a team of University of Maryland School of Social Work graduate students. Dr. Amy Cohen Callow, who led that initiative, will also do research and evaluation of the project.

• In West Baltimore, older adult volunteers will seek to engage a cadre of younger adults to serve as the next generation of community leaders, working with the Citizen's Planning and Housing Association (CPHA).

• In Northwest Baltimore, Comprehensive Housing Assistance, Inc. (CHAI) will work to promote public safety by actively engaging older adults.

• In North Baltimore, the Govans Ecumenical Development Corporation (GEDCO) and the Greater Homewood Community Corporation (GHCC) will focus on two priorities. GEDCO plans to expand a Neighbors Helping Neighbors Time Bank Program from Stadium Place to a group of surrounding neighborhoods so that older residents are assisted to remain in their community. GHCC is developing a Communities for All Ages initiative to encourage families with young children to remain in the Charles Village community by strengthening the two neighborhood public schools.

• In East Baltimore, Belair Edison is developing block-by-block leadership thru an expansion of the Neighborhood Ambassador Program.

In South Baltimore, the Southeast Community Development Corporation will involve older adults in Highlandtown in multi-cultural and intergenerational efforts to strengthen the social infrastructure of the neighborhood.

Source: Mayor's Office
Writer: Walaika Haskins