News & Events

Meda Summer Conference: Creating Ecosystems That Encourage Opportunities

In today’s world, economic development professionals are increasingly focusing their efforts on building strong ecosystems that encourage small businesses and entrepreneurs to grow in their communities.  During Meda’s Summer Conference, you will discover approaches for building these ecosystems, collaborate with others who are doing or creating unique systems, and learn how to identify what works best for your community.  Join Meda and other professionals to share best practices in transforming communities into ecosystems that attract and support small businesses and entrepreneurs.

When: Wednesday, July 26 from 8:45 am – 1:30 pm

Where: World Trade Center:  401 E Pratt Street, Baltimore, MD  21202

To register, visit https://www.medamd.com/event/meda-2017-summer-conference/

140 acres of key commercial area along Pennsylvania and W. North Avenue designated as a Focus Area

The BDC’s application for an Enterprise Zone Focus Area designation for key commercial portions of Pennsylvania and W. North Avenue (Central West Baltimore Focus Area) received approval from MD Dept. of Commerce. Enterprise Zones (EZ) program encourages investment in distressed neighborhoods by providing tax credits to spur private investment. A fact sheet about Enterprise Zone and EZ Focus Area benefits can be downloaded here.  To download the map of the Central West Baltimore Focus Area, please click here.

Sharp Dressed Man opens new, temporary location following fire

Nadia Singh, WMAR-TV (ABC 2 News) – April 13, 2016

Sharp Dressed Man is a non-profit that’s been working to recover after an electrical fire and other building issues forced it to close.

Now, thanks to the generosity of the community, it continues to bridge the gap for men looking to re-enter the workforce.

“You can have all the skills in the world, you can be ready to work, you can be a hard working, but if you are not prepared physically, if you don’t look professional, you’re not going to be taken seriously,” Jenny Kessler-Klump, Executive Director of Sharp Dressed Man told ABC 2. “We opened a small boutique over on 235 Park Avenue in December and we really hit our stride.”

That stride was disrupted when an electrical fire and other issues rendered the building condemned.

“Effectively we were shut down. We were homeless,” Kessler-Klump said.

Wednesday, thanks to the Baltimore Development Corporation, Sharp Dressed Man was able to call a new 20,000 square foot facility home – at least for now.

Baltimore to give big tax break to attract more grocery stores

Yvonne Wenger, Baltimore Sun – Dec. 10, 2015

BDC chief: “A quality grocery store can transform a neighborhood faster than anything.” The Baltimore Development Corporation is an integral part of the Baltimore Food Policy Initiative, a cross-agency strategy and collaboration…