State Announces $1.5B in Transportation Investments in Metro Baltimore
Gov. Martin O’Malley has announced nearly $1.5 billion in transportation investments for the Baltimore Metropolitan Region, including several in the Corridor. Among those investments will be $46 million directed to the launch the first-ever MARC Train weekend service, which will start on Saturday, Dec. 7, on the Penn Line.
Nine round trips between Penn Station in Baltimore and Union Station in Washington, D.C., will be offered on Saturdays; and Sundays, six round trips between the two stations.
With the Transportation Infrastructure Investment Act of 2013, which allows Maryland to activate long-term strategies to invest in its transportation systems, the state is making $4.4 billion in new investments during the next six years. This is expected to create hundreds of millions of dollars in economic activity and provide the necessary transportation infrastructure for decades to come.
Other projects that are directed to alleviate congestion in the Corridor include the following.
● $52 million for MARC Commuter Rail to purchase 10 new diesel locomotives and to add two daily round trips during weekday service on the MARC Camden Line
● $29 million in right-of-way funds to reconstruct the existing Route 175/Route 295 interchange near Fort Meade
● $8 million in construction funds to build a sound wall along I-95 near the Lawyers Hill community in Howard County
● $48 million in construction funds to widen Route 29 northbound in Howard County
● A $2 million planning project to examine adding a fourth lane on eastbound Route 50 over the Severn River Bridge from Rowe Boulevard to Route 2 (and other improvements) to reduce traffic congestion at this well-known bottleneck in Annapolis
Also announced was the Maryland Department of Transportation’s (MDOT) draft six-year transportation budget. This budget, known as the Consolidated Transportation Program, provides a full list of the new projects funded by the Transportation Act. To view the draft CTP, visit www.mdot.maryland.gov/Office_of_Planning_and_Capital_Programming/CTP/CTP_14_19/Index.html.
Pitch Across Maryland 2.0 Dates and Route Announced
Startup Maryland has announced dates (through Sept. 27) and the rough route for the Pitch Across Maryland 2.0, the second annual statewide tour and celebration of entrepreneurship and startup companies.
Last year’s tour included 25 tour stops around the state that more than 225 startups attended; 168 startups “pitched” their idea/business. During last year’s tour startup, Maryland jumped from No. 22 to No. 4 in startup density (the number of startups per million population); Startup Maryland has since moved up to rank No. 2 in U.S.
“This year’s Pitch Across Maryland 2.0 will be bigger and better,” said Julie Lenzer Kirk, Startup Maryland co-chair. “With six months to plan instead of six weeks, we anticipate a much larger turnout and many more mentors/partners at each tour stop.”
“From research dollars flowing through federal labs (like NIH, NASA and NIST) to cybersecurity and defense hubs (Fort Meade) to world-leading academic institutions (Johns Hopkins, UMBC, University of Maryland), this confluence of resources gives Maryland startups an ‘unfair advantage,’” said Michael Binko, co-chair of Startup Maryland. “This concept of resource wealth and the “unfair advantage” is a key theme identified by our Startup Maryland entrepreneur Champions as critical in their efforts to forge and inflect strong, high-growth companies.”
For the blog from the road last year, visit www.governor.maryland.gov/blog/?p=6848. For more information as well as a complete schedule of tour stops, visit www.startupmd.org.
Franchot Warns Maryland Orgs in Jeopardy of Losing Federal Tax-Exempt Status
Comptroller Peter Franchot’s office recently started sending out letters to alert representatives of the state’s nonprofit organizations that they are in jeopardy of losing (or have already lost) their federal tax-exempt status for failing to file the requisite Form 990 to the Internal Revenue Service (IRS) for three consecutive years.
Franchot unveiled his campaign due to a federal law change that mandates most small tax-exempt organizations with annual gross receipts equivalent to (or less than) $50,000 to submit the Form 990 or face revocation of tax-exempt status.
Prior to 2006, small nonprofits were not required to complete and submit Form 990; however, most small, tax-exempt organizations whose annual gross receipts are normally $50,000 or less are now mandated to electronically submit Form 990-N, also known as the e-Postcard, unless they choose to file a complete Form 990 or Form 990-EZ instead.
Nonprofit organizations risk automatic revocation of their federal tax-exempt status if they fail to file the requisite form for three consecutive years. Recently, the IRS provided the Comptroller’s Office with a list of Maryland organizations in jeopardy of losing their tax exemption.
Affected organizations can take the following steps to return to good standing with the IRS.
● Call the IRS toll free hotline for tax-exempt entities, 1-877-829-5500, for the most updated status report.
● Visit the IRS web site that includes explanations of the process and Frequently Asked Questions by logging on to www.irs.gov/Charities-&-Non-Profits.
● Contact the Comptroller of Maryland Ombudsman’s Office for answers to general questions at 410-260-4020 or ombudsman@comp.state.md.us.
● Visit the Comptroller of Maryland web site at www.marylandtaxes.com and click on the hotlink for At-Risk Non Profits.
● Contact the office of your U.S. senator or representative for help navigating the IRS system.
Fed Grant Funds to Create Biotech Jobs
A $520,000 federal grant to help the Economic Alliance of Greater Baltimore create jobs in Maryland’s growing biotechnology industry was awarded by the federal Economic Development Administration. The Economic Alliance will use the funds to create a Healthcare Regional Innovation Cluster to take new medical technologies from the research lab to the marketplace.
“Medical research is our best hope for finding cures and improving treatment, but it’s also essential to Maryland’s economy,” said Congressman C.A. Dutch Ruppersberger. “This grant is a common sense public investment in jobs and community that will help even more Maryland families support themselves.”
Merdon Named as Howard County Tech Chief
Howard County Executive Ken Ulman has announced that Christopher Merdon, a senior technology executive who ran as Ulman’s Republican opponent in the 2006 race for Howard County executive, has been named the county’s new chief information officer.
Merdon will run the Department of Technology and Communication Services, which has 87 employees and a budget of $23.3 million. Merdon has extensive experience in public sector technology, operational efficiencies, staff management and development, and government procurement and contracting. Additionally, he has a strong knowledge of Howard County Government operations, having served as a member of the county council from 1998 to 2006.
Merdon assumes his new role just as the $100 million, federally-backed project to lay broadband fiber throughout Maryland, the Inter-County Broadband Network (ICBN), nears completion. A main task of the department will be to implement technology solutions in Howard County and the region that make full use of the network.
Story Continues, Joins Howard Bank as SVP
Howard Bank President and CEO Mary Ann Scully has announced that Dick Story, former CEO of the Howard County Economic Development Authority, will join the bank as senior vice president, community relations and government affairs, and business development liaison.
“Howard Bank is enthusiastically welcoming to our senior leadership ranks one of the most successful economic development professionals in the state of Maryland,” Scully said. “Dick’s deep experiences in attracting and assisting the growth of many businesses in Greater Baltimore over the last three decades will enable our own mission in assisting those businesses in the four counties we now serve. I cannot think of a better fit to grow the success of the bank, our clients and the communities in which we live. We are incredibly fortunate to have access to Dick’s unique competencies.”
kloudtrack, Cisco to Deliver Sandbox Environments for Various Industries
Annapolis-based kloudtrack has announced a relationship with Cisco to develop Innovation Sandbox exchanges to allow organizations to test a variety of technologies/methodologies in a “sandbox” environment. Each Innovation Sandbox will be provisioned in tandem with selected partners that offer technologies and solutions in a variety of innovation categories, including cyber/information security, innovation roadmapping and secure collaboration/safe sharing.
“Now, more than ever, the driving factors behind IT [information technology] deployments have become more economic than technical,” said Michael Binko, president and CEO for kloudtrack. “The advent of innovations such as cloud, virtualization and mobility mean the vendor landscape is much more diverse. Additionally, with standards driving easier portability, organizations can now consider best-of-breed offerings when considering and procuring IT solutions. The Innovation Sandbox environments are designed to give these organizations the opportunity to test these waters with a “start small … and scale” approach with keen sensitivity to limited resources and measurable results.”
Anne Arundel Cares Raises $43,945 for Local Nonprofits
A total of $43,945 was raised for nonprofits in Anne Arundel County during the second annual Anne Arundel Cares Week. Close to 200 donors contributed $36,445 to 22 participating nonprofits, and Chesapeake Legal Alliance, Opportunity Builders Inc. and the Anne Arundel County Literacy Council each won $2,500 challenge grants during the fundraising drive.
“The winners of the challenge grants show the diversity of organizations making a difference in Anne Arundel County,” said Joanna Conti, founder and chair of Anne Arundel Cares. “Opportunity Builders Inc. helps developmentally-disabled adults find and keep employment, volunteer tutors with Anne Arundel County Literacy Council work with illiterate adults on a one-to-one basis to help them learn to read, and Chesapeake Legal Alliance provides free legal services to individuals and groups fighting to save the Chesapeake Bay.”
Anne Arundel Cares builds awareness of the difference 61 nonprofits are making in Anne Arundel County through www.aacares.org. The organization has raised $90,390 for local nonprofits since it was launched last September.
Orioles Donates $24K to FMA’s Resiliency Center Fund
During a pre-game ceremony Sept. 10, the Baltimore Orioles presented a check for $24,615 to the Fort Meade Alliance (FMA) to support the creation of a Resiliency Center at Fort Meade. The Orioles raised the funds through an auction of special team jerseys and caps worn during Military Appreciation Day on June 14. The items were autographed, authenticated and auctioned off online.
The Resiliency Center will provide services to support the five dimensions of resiliency: emotional, social, spiritual, family and physical. Establishment of the Resiliency Center is expected to cost $2 million.
Workshops Set to Develop Project Priorities for Downtown Ellicott City
Howard County Executive Ken Ulman announced that two more workshops will be held to solicit public input into capital projects and improvements for downtown Ellicott City. This year, Ulman included $3 million in the county’s capital budget for sidewalks, curbs and other projects to beautify and improve the Tiber River basin and its amenities. A portion of the money is also planned for water quality and drainage projects.
TND Planning Group has been retained to facilitate discussions of the various projects generated by county agencies and to solicit other ideas from the community. Two additional public workshops are scheduled for Sept. 26 and Oct. 10 at the Roger Carter Community Center, located at 3000 Milltowne Drive in Ellicott City; both workshops will begin at 7 p.m. Follow developments on Facebook at www.facebook.com/planellicottcity.
CRTC Will Sponsor the Columbia Rails Girls Event on Sept. 20, 21
The Chesapeake Regional Tech Council’s (CRTC) Women in Tech Forum has announced its sponsorship of the Columbia Rails Girls event. This is a free event designed to introduce middle and high school-aged girls to web programming with Ruby on Rails.
The festivities will kick off with a Cupcakes & Computers party on Friday, Sept. 20, at 5:30 p.m., which will include an Installation Party for girls taking part in the Rails Girls workshop. The workshop will be held on Saturday, Sept. 21, from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. and will be a day filled with lessons on coding as well as presentations by local women about their careers in technology. Friday’s and Saturday’s events will be held at /training/etc’s offices, located in Columbia. For more information and registration, visit www.railsgirls.com/columbia.
CA Surveying Community Members to Help It Serve Older Adults
The Columbia Association (CA) will be gathering input from the community for its Comprehensive Plan for Serving the Older Adult Community and has contracted with the Mason-Dixon Polling & Research to conduct a telephone survey of adults aged 45 years and older.
The telephone surveyors will contact residents on landlines and cell phones. The questions will cover topics such as physical activity and exercise, transportation, social and cultural activities, aging in place and services for older adults. The meetings of CA’s work team are open to the public. For more information, visit ColumbiaAssociation.org/OlderAdults, e-mail Rob.Goldman@ColumbiaAssociation.org or call 410-715-3121.
Maryland Live! to Host Casey Cares Rock ‘n Roll Bash on Sept. 21
Rock out to a lineup of classic rock entertainment from the ’70s and ’80s, including a Beatles set, during the Casey Cares Foundation’s 11th Annual Rock ‘N Roll Bash on Saturday, Sept. 21, at Rams Head Center Stage at Maryland Live! Casino.
Maria Dennis, from MIX 106.5, along with Mark Rivera of The Billy Joel Band and Christine Ohlman of The Saturday Night Live Band, will co-emcee the event. Additional band members for the evening will include Kasim Sulton, who toured with Hall & Oates and Richie Sambora, and is presently touring with Todd Rundgren; Jeff Kazee, who toured with Jon Bon Jovi and Southside Johnny; and Marc Ribler, who toured with Jethro Tull and Gary “U.S.” Bonds, among others. In addition, there will also be a performance by High Voltage, an AC/DC tribute band.
Tickets are $60 with cash bar; or $100 to include cocktails, dinner and dancing. Silent and live auctions also will be available. The foundation provides uplifting programs with a special touch to critically ill children and their families. For more information, go to www.CaseyCaresFoundation.org or call 443-568-0064.
Stem Cell Research Commission to Host Sickle Cell Summit
Between 70,000 and 100,000 people in the U.S. have sickle cell disease, and many of these patients are in Maryland. To bring awareness to and educate about this illness, the Maryland Stem Cell Research Commission will host a Sickle Cell Summit titled, “Sickle Cell Disease in Maryland: How Can We Optimize Therapy and Care?” on Tuesday, Sept. 24, at the BWI Marriott in Linthicum Heights.
The summit will have a research panel and a treatment and prevention panel, as well as an advocacy and awareness panel. Panelists will provide insights into the latest research as well as highlight innovative and groundbreaking discoveries for sickle cell disease. For additional information, visit www.mscrf.org/content/events/other.cfm.
From MarylandReporter.com …
Rascovar Commentary: Perry vs. O’Malley – Early Presidential Showdown?: Texas Gov. Rick Perry is poaching in Maryland. He’s camouflaged his Wednesday visit as an economic development pitch – including a $500,000 TV and radio ad blitz – to get companies to move from Maryland to low-tax, pro-business Texas. He’s not fooling anyone. It’s all part of Perry’s nascent presidential campaign for 2016. Read more: http://marylandreporter.com/#ixzz2f1me2HDo
Maryland deaths from air pollution highest in U.S.: Long-term exposure to air pollution leads a higher percentage of the population in Maryland to die prematurely than in any other state, according to a new study on the impact of air quality on health. Read more: http://marylandreporter.com/#ixzz2f1nDIAX1
Fewer brokers than expected get certified to offer new health insurance under Obamacare: The Maryland Health Benefit Exchange is considering adding one more training session for health insurance brokers who want to sell policies through the exchange, after more brokers requested the training. Some brokers who have attended certification sessions complained that the training is not doing enough to prepare them for the exchange because rates are not set and the computer models are not available to work with. Read more: http://marylandreporter.com/#ixzz2f1neN2F3
MarylandReporter.com is a news site for government and politics in Maryland that is published and edited by Len Lazarick. For more information or to sign up for the daily e-news, go to marylandreporter.com