Maryland Live!, Anne Arundel County Award $20M in Local Impact Grants
Maryland Live! Casino and Anne Arundel County have awarded $20 million in local impact grants for fiscal 2014 to various grant recipients, as recommended by the Local Development Council (LDC), which helps to manage the allocation of county gaming tax revenue to local organizations.
Joe Weinberg, managing partner of The Cordish Companies, Anne Arundel County Executive Laura Neuman and LDC Chairman Mike Caruthers officially presented the $20 million in local impact grants to various recipients at a ceremony at Maryland Live!
The $20 million in Local Impact Grant Recipients for Fiscal 2014 include the following.
● Anne Arundel County Fire Department: $7 million
● Anne Arundel Community College: $3.7 million
● Meade High School: $3 million
● Anne Arundel County Police Department: $2.7 million
● People’s Community Health Centers: $1.9 million
● Transportation/public safety funds to be allocated: $1.5 million
● Jessup Elementary School: $600,000
● Anne Arundel County Public Library/Provinces Branch: $500,000
● Community Support Grants: $250,000
● BWI Business Partnership: $150,000
● Anne Arundel Workforce Development Corp.: $100,000
“We are excited to make our local community partners stronger and more effective by providing them with these much-needed funds generated at Maryland Live! Casino,” said Caruthers. “We look forward to seeing the numerous future positive impacts to our local community where we live and work.”
Community-based organizations and nonprofit groups located (generally) within a three-mile radius of Maryland Live! are eligible to apply for a local impact grant. For more information and to apply for a grant, visit www.aacounty.org/LDC/index.cfm. The applications are located under the quick link “Community Grants” and are due by Oct. 31 for fiscal 2014.
Construction to Begin Soon at Hobbit’s Glen
Construction for the new Hobbit’s Glen Golf Club Clubhouse will begin in November. The design for the new clubhouse is posted in the current clubhouse at the course, and the Columbia Association (CA) is still working on some of the interior finishes, furniture designs and layout.
The final updates will not have any impact on the building’s design. CoHo Grill and the Pro Shop will remain on the same side of the clubhouse, which CA is modernizing to heighten its efforts to feature Hobbit’s Glen, located in Columbia, as a destination for hosting small and large events, outings and tournaments.
CA is working on temporary facilities during the time of construction. Pro shop operations will be inside a temporary trailer located at the end of the parking lot (near the tennis club). It includes a limited number of tables and chairs available for the snack bar and for watching tournaments on TV.
Construction of the turn house is also scheduled to begin sometime in November, and should be completed in approximately four months. Once the turn house is complete, the snack bar operations will move to that location. Outings and tournaments will be hosted under a new tent that will stand next to the turn house. Golf carts will be stored at the maintenance facility. A farewell party at the old clubhouse will be held in mid-to-late-October.
Accuvant Opens New Cybersecurity Research, Ops Center
Denver-based Accuvant formally opened its new cybersecurity research and operations center at 6855 Deerpath Road in Elkridge, marking a significant expansion for Accuvant’s presence in the Corridor.
Located in one of the most concentrated areas in the U.S. in terms of cybersecurity talent, the new Accuvant center is the company’s primary location for its expanded Security Operations Center (SOC) and Managed Services business unit, and the home office for its federally focused cybersecurity business unit. The Accuvant Cybersecurity Research and Operations Center is also the company’s second-largest location nationwide for general business operations.
“Our company has experienced tremendous growth since inception more than a decade ago, developing a leading market position in the cybersecurity space,” said Dan Burns, Accuvant’s co-founder and CEO. “Our new location enables us to take our Maryland-based operations to the next level, allowing us to better serve the increasing needs of our public and private sector clients in the Baltimore-Washington corridor, throughout the East Coast and across the country.”
“Three years ago, we launched the CyberMaryland initiative to position our state as the epicenter of cybersecurity, both to protect our nation and to create jobs,” said Gov. Martin O’Malley.
“Since then, the U.S. CyberCommand and the National Cyber Center of Excellence have been established in Maryland, cybersecurity companies have grown and created jobs in our state,” said O’Malley, “and entrepreneurs have found Maryland a fertile environment in which to bring their ideas to market. Accuvant’s new Cybersecurity Research and Operations Center – and the 200 new jobs it will bring to Maryland – is testament to Maryland’s position as a national leader in securing our country’s critical cyber infrastructure.”
MBRG Urges O’Malley to Form Commission to Study, Improve State’s Business Climate
Maryland Business for Responsive Government (MBRG) has called for Maryland Gov. Martin O’Malley to form a Blue Ribbon Commission designed to study and present an overall strategy to significantly improve the state’s business climate.
This commission, according to MBRG, would be composed of leaders in corporate business, unions, nonprofits, education and state legislators and focus specifically on methods to elevate the economic development condition for manufacturing, health care, cybersecurity and biotechnology industries. All findings and strategies would be presented in time for the 2015 Maryland General Assembly session.
“[During] the past several weeks, the Greater Baltimore Committee, Maryland Chamber of Commerce and the House of Delegates’ business work group have separately studied these important issues in an effort to improve Maryland’s business climate to make it more competitive with neighboring states and attractive to business,” said MBRG Chairman Jerry Wit.
“Now is the perfect time to establish a collaborative and cooperative effort that takes all issues into consideration and looks critically at the specific steps needed to achieve dramatic improvement,” Wit said. “This issue is too important to wait, and too complicated to avoid bringing all voices and interests collectively to the table for this discussion.”
The idea for this approach, which is significantly more expansive and inclusive than efforts initiated by previous Maryland governors, was stimulated in part from Harvard University’s Institute on Strategy and Competitiveness. According to Rosabeth Moss Kanter, a professor of Business Administration at Harvard Business School, institutions are “more likely to contribute to shared prosperity when they’re networked – with smooth pathways that allow intellectual, financial and human capital to flow to enterprises at every phase of development.”
Linthicum-Based Zeroed-In Technologies Awarded VOLT Fund Loan
The Anne Arundel Economic Development Corp. (AAEDC) has awarded a $250,000 VOLT Fund loan to Zeroed-In Technologies of Linthicum. The VOLT Fund is AAEDC’s loan program that aims to distribute $3.36 million in loans to assist small and minority/woman-owned businesses around Maryland. Zeroed-In plans to use the funds to invest in next-generation software and grow its client base and revenue.
Founded in 2004, Zeroed-In helps companies evaluate, measure and report on their workforce and training initiatives. The Zeroed-In platform lets organizations tune in to the pulse of their workforce by combining workforce analytics, strategy mapping, collective listening and social engagement tools into a single cloud-based technology suite. Current clients include Scotiabank, Exelon and the U.S. Department of Defense.
The VOLT Fund loan also will support the company’s plan to hire a new software developer and sales associate. “We were delighted to learn about our eligibility for the VOLT Fund loan as a means to accelerate growth at a time when financing can be difficult for small companies,” said Chris Moore, president and CEO of Zeroed-In.
“The outstanding terms and quick turnaround made our decision to partner with AAEDC that much easier,” said Moore, “and we look to leverage their loan programs even more in the future.”
Nielsen Gains Regulatory Approval to Acquire Arbitron
Nielsen Holdings has reached an agreement with the Federal Trade Commission (FTC) to gain clearance for its proposed acquisition of Columbia-based Arbitron, which is now, subject to customary closing conditions, expected to close on Sept. 30.
The FTC has issued a Decision and Order, dated Sept. 20, that embodies the agreement. Nielsen entered into an agreement on Dec. 17, 2012, to acquire all of the outstanding common stock of Arbitron for $48 per share (or a total of $1.3 billion purchase price, funded by cash on hand and minor debt financing).
Adding Arbitron to Nielsen will enable broader measurement of what consumers are watching and listening to around the world and deeper measurement of multicultural audiences in the U.S. The combined company will expand advertising effectiveness for radio clients and be better able to solve for unmeasured areas of media consumption, such as streaming audio and out-of-home.
Nielsen’s agreement with the FTC is intended to preserve the competitive landscape that was in place before its announced intent to acquire Arbitron.
The FTC’s order effectively enables the continuation of a cross-platform project measuring TV, radio, PC, mobile and tablet engagement, which was announced by Arbitron in concert with ESPN and comScore Inc. in September 2012. In the event that an FTC-approved third party elects to agree to licensing terms and other requirements, Nielsen would make available for license Arbitron PPM and related data, as well as software and technology currently being used in the ESPN project for the sole purpose of cross-platform measurement, for up to eight years.
Under Armour Inks Multi-Year Deal With Baltimore Running Festival
Elkridge-based Corrigan Sports Enterprises has announced Under Armour has agreed to a multi-year deal to serve as the official performance apparel and footwear partner of the annual Baltimore Marathon & Running Festival. All race participants will receive an Under Armour performance shirt as part of their official race package and the brand will partner with Corrigan to produce all official event merchandise.
The 13th annual Baltimore Running Festival, set for Oct. 12, consists of a marathon, half-marathon, team relay, 5K and kids fun run. Last year’s festival generated an event record $38.6 million in economic impact and raised $1.7 million for local charities. It also was the largest participatory event in the state of Maryland in 2012. For more information, visit www.thebaltimoremarathon.com.
Rocky Gap to Host Controlled Demo for Poker
Rocky Gap Casino Resort, in Cumberland, will host a controlled demonstration for its new poker tables on Thursday, Oct. 3, from 1 to 5 p.m. Located in the hotel lobby are three poker tables with eight seats each offering Texas Hold ’em with both Limit and No Limit stakes. All poker proceeds from the controlled demonstration will be donated to Volunteer Team Inc., the nonprofit organization that supports Rocky Gap State Park.
“Since we opened in May, the No. 1 request we’ve received from guests was to add live poker,” said Scott Just, general manager of Rocky Gap. “We look forward to offering poker to the public as soon as we receive approval from the Maryland Lottery and Gaming Control Agency.”
The casino at Rocky Gap opened in May and features approximately 550 slot machines, 10 table games and a casino bar. Renovations also were made to the hotel rooms, lobby, restaurants and the Jack Nicklaus Signature Golf Course.
Edwards, Economic Development/Chamber Stalwart, Dies at 82
H. Joseph “Joe” Edwards, 82, a retired business consultant who specialized in economic development, passed away peacefully at his home in Martinsburg, W.V., on Sept. 14. From 1971 to 1983, he served as the CEO of the Laurel Area Chamber of Commerce (now the Baltimore Washington Corridor Chamber or BWCC).
In 1976, he was instrumental in creating the first Visitor Information Centers in Maryland, as a joint venture between the state and the private sector; in 1978, Edwards helped establish the BWI Development Council and would serve as its executive director until 2007.
In 1986, Edwards established HJE Associates to provide professional services to landowners, businesses and developers, employing an innovative and progressive approach to development through public-private partnerships. He helped to create economic development programs in more than 30 jurisdictions.
In 2006, Joe and his wife of 59 years, Anita, and moved to Martinsburg, W.V., where he was also active in the market. He is also survived by daughters Joanne (Wadsworth), Carolyn (Ley) and Elaine (Unnone), and their families; by one sister, Millie Jordan of Las Cruces, N.M.; and numerous nieces and nephews.
Interment prayers will be held at Fort Lincoln Cemetery in Brentwood, Md., on Saturday, Oct. 5, at 11:30 a.m., with military honors. Online condolences may be shared at www.BrownFuneralHomesWV.com. In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to the BWCC Foundation, designated for the H. Joseph Edwards Scholarship, 312 Marshall Avenue, Laurel, MD 20707.
Officials, Politicians to Speak at HC DrugFree Town Hall Today
Congressman Elijah Cummings, Del. Elizabeth Bobo, Circuit Court Judge William Tucker, Police Chief William McMahon, HC DrugFree’s Executive Director Joan Webb Scornaienchi and others will host a Town Hall meeting on Sept. 24 at 7 p.m. in the Jim Rouse Theater at Wilde Lake High School.
Topics include adults providing alcohol and other drugs to youth in Howard County, how to keep our youth safe, how to empower your children and yourself and more. Visit www.hcdrugfree.org/hcdrugfreenews.html for updates. Direct questions about or submissions for the event to HC DrugFree’s Webb Scornaienchi at 443-325-0040 or joan@hcdrugfree.org.
Arundel P&Z Holding Transportation Commission Meetings Today, Tomorrow
County Executive Laura Neuman has announced the creation of a Transportation Commission, whose charge will be to provide input regarding transportation programs in the county. It is hosting two meetings in order to solicit public comment regarding the county’s transportation programs, specifically those involving public transit, pedestrian and bicycle facilities, roads and bridges, and program management.
The public is invited to attend the commission’s public meetings on Tuesday, Sept. 24, at Annapolis High School, and on Wednesday, Sept. 25, at Meade Middle School. Both meetings will begin at 6 p.m. and continue until 8 p.m. The meetings will involve a workshop format with questions and comments provided to commission members, as well as county office of planning and zoning staff. For more information, call 410-222-7440.
Arundel’s Neuman to Hold Stormwater Fee Town Hall Meeting This Week
Anne Arundel County Executive Laura Neuman will hold a second town hall meeting to discuss Stormwater Management fees on Thursday, Sept. 26, from 6-8 p.m., at the Heritage Office Complex, 2660 Riva Road, Annapolis, in the First Floor Training Room.
Neuman will be joined by subject matter experts within the county’s Department of Public Works who will answer residents’ questions and discuss their specific concerns. A third town hall meeting will be held on Oct. 2, from 6-7 p.m., in the auditorium at Meade High School, 1100 Clark Road, Fort Meade, with a fourth town hall meeting being planned for South County. For more information about the events, call 410-222-1785.
AAACCC Announces 2013 Business Hall of Fame Inductees
The Annapolis & Anne Arundel County Chamber of Commerce (AAACCC) has announced the 2013 Anne Arundel County Business Hall of Fame Inductees. They will be recognized and inducted at the Comcast Business Class Hall of Fame and Awards Banquet on Wednesday, Oct. 2, at the Loews Annapolis Hotel, from 6-9 p.m. This year’s class includes Mike Ashford, Anne Chambers, Tom Marquardt and Lou Zagarino.
Ashford, owner of McGarvey’s Saloon & Oyster Bar, is a former fighter pilot, motorcyclist, sailor, entrepreneur, successful businessman and philanthropist. He served in the military as the youngest commissioned officer in the Air Force and flew nuclear armed warplanes. He later captained commercial aircraft for Eastern Airlines. Ashford founded McGarvey’s in 1975.
Chambers is a champion of education. With the help of her family and best friend, Chambers built Indian Creek School, which opened in 1973 as an independent, non-sectarian, private school with 33 students. In 1976, Indian Creek School opened a middle school and in the 1990s, a high school. Under her leadership, Indian Creek was the first school to offer extended care and one of the first to change school hours to agree with the students’ biological clock. She also created a summer camp for Title I school students.
Marquardt recently retired as publisher and editor of Capital-Gazette Newspapers. He served two years in the Army before taking a position at the Big Rapids Pioneer in 1972 as a reporter. He joined Capital-Gazette Newspapers in the late 1970s as a managing editor and rose through the ranks of the combined newspapers serving Annapolis and Anne Arundel County.
Zagarino’s professional work and volunteer service have enhanced the lives of the citizens of Anne Arundel County. He is a six-year veteran of the United State Navy and Navy Reserves. He began his career in the Maryland restaurant industry and later ventured independently to develop the Rose Restaurant in North Linthicum, then the adjacent Comfort Inn and Sleep Inn & Suites hotels.
Howard County Conservancy’s Fall Festival to Be Held Oct. 5
On Saturday, Oct. 5, from 11 a.m.-3 p.m., visitors to the Howard County Conservancy’s Fall Festival will enjoy hayrides, pony rides, a native plant sale, children’s crafts, basket weaving, square dancing and live music.
Visitors can listen to bluegrass music, watch blacksmiths ply their trade and marvel at the history of this three-century-old farm. Goats, chickens, a terrapin turtle and a corn snake will fascinate the youngsters. The resident Barred Owl also will visit with attendees. Food is available to purchase at $10 per car.
The Howard County Conservancy is a nonprofit organization and the first environmental education center in Howard County. It provides educational programs for children and adults throughout the year at its 232-acre Mt. Pleasant farm. The Conservancy is located on Old Frederick Road (Route 99) between Bethany Lane and Woodstock Road. Call 410-465-8877 or visit www.hcconservancy.org for further information.
HCLS’s Choose Civility Symposium Set for Oct. 9
The 2013 Choose Civility Symposium, “OMG to AARP: Bridging the Multigenerational Divide,” will take place at Howard County Library System’s (HCLS) Miller Branch on Wednesday, Oct. 9, at 7 p.m.
The evening panel, moderated by NPR’s Korva Coleman, includes David Burstein, founder and executive director of Generation18 and author of Fast Future: How the Millennial Generation Is Shaping Our World; Jennifer Howard, senior reporter at The Chronicle of Higher Education; Brad Sachs, psychologist and bestselling author of
The Good Enough Child and The Good Enough Teen; Karen Stohr, associate professor of philosophy at Georgetown University and author of On Manners; and Collin Sullivan, a junior at Long Reach High School and a member of Voices for Change.
Congressman Elijah Cummings, honorary chair of the Choose Civility Board of Advisors, will offer opening remarks. Visit the Choose Civility web site (ChooseCivility.org) for event details.
SIS’s Pink Bag Lunch Set for Oct. 17
The annual Pink Bag Lunch to raise much-needed funds for Success In Style (SIS) will be held on Thursday, Oct. 17, from 11 a.m. to 1:30 p.m., at The Great Room in Historic Savage Mill. SIS has been providing thousands of suits and immeasurable confidence to disadvantaged men and women from Baltimore to Washington since 2002.
The highlight of the Pink Bag Lunch is the fashion show: Success In Style clients modeling the elegant suits provided by area donors. The show will highlight the stories of men and women who have struggled through various hurdles and barriers and succeeded with the assistance of Success In Style. The cost is $35 per guest, $50 for two, with tickets available at www.2013pinkbaglunch.eventbrite.com. For more information, call 301-498-5035 or visit www.successinstyle.org.
Arundel’s Neuman Keynote Speaker at CAC’s 18th Annual Holland Awards
Laura Neuman, Anne Arundel County executive, will deliver the keynote speech at The Community Action Council of Howard County’s (CAC) 18th annual Holland Awards Dinner. The dinner will be held on Thursday, Oct. 24, at 6 p.m., at Turf Valley Resort & Conference Center. Food for Tomorrow volunteers will be presented with the Humanitarian Award. Apple Ford Lincoln and Wegmans will receive the Service Award.
The event is named in honor of the late Rev. John Holland, who worked tirelessly to remove obstacles confronting low-income residents and served on CAC’s board of directors for 17 years.
Tickets are $75 each, or $650 for a table of 10. Advance registration is required by Sept. 30, and sponsorship opportunities are still available. Payment may be made using PayPal at www.cac-hc.org or by check payable to CAC, 6751 Columbia Gateway Drive, Columbia, MD 21046. For more information, visit www.cac-hc.org.
Calling All Employers for AACC’s Fall 2013 Job Fair
Employers can sign up now for booths at Anne Arundel Community College’s Fall 2013 Job Fair, to be held Thursday, Nov. 14, in the David S. Jenkins Gymnasium on the Arnold campus, 101 College Parkway.
The noon-4 p.m. event is open to the community and typically attracts more than 1,000 job seekers including students, alumni and community members. Job seekers can view company profiles beginning Oct. 1. Employers can sign up online at www.collegecentral.com/CCNEngine/LiveEvents.cfm?EventID=590. For more information, call 410-777-2512 or 410-777-2770 or e-mail ctrc@aacc.edu.
From MarylandReporter.com …
The 51st State, Western Maryland: How to succeed without seceding: The mountain natives are restless in Maryland. They want to have it their way, though they represent just 10% of the state’s population. Indeed, were the five western counties to secede from Maryland, there would be no chance for that movement to succeed. Read more: http://marylandreporter.com/category/news/#ixzz2ffi4dP8t
Upbeat O’Malley, downbeat Franchot at opposite ends on Maryland economy: Last week, Gov. Martin O’Malley was cutting a ribbon to open a renovated building for cybersecurity firm Accuvant in Elkridge and hoping that recent employment figures would show Maryland had regained all the jobs it lost since 2008. Seven miles away at Paul’s Restaurant in Arbutus, Comptroller Peter Franchot was addressing representatives of not-so-hot legacy businesses and talking about “a sluggish economy” with “very poor wage growth” that led to Tuesday’s write-down of state revenue estimates for next year. Read more: http://marylandreporter.com/category/news/#ixzz2ffh0byOy
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.