The Progress Report: Feb. 26, 2024
Upcoming Partner Events
Tuesday, March 5 at 8:30 AM: Coffee with the CEO
Join GBC's CEO and Management Team to discuss progress toward our multi-year agenda and engagement opportunities.
Friday, March 15 at 9:00 AM: Modeling Vacant Housing Impacts with PFM Financial Advisors LLC
Hear from PFM Financial Advisors LLC, who will discuss their analysis of the economic benefits of addressing vacant housing.
Employees of GBC Partner organizations are eligible to attend our Partner-exclusive events.
Interested in Sponsoring Upcoming Events?
We are building a new GBC to maximize a moment that's an undeniable window of opportunity for the Baltimore region. Access our Sponsorship Book to learn more.
Become a Sponsor by emailing lisab@gbc.org
Economic Opportunity
Baltimore Tech Hub
The deadline for Phase 2 of the Tech Hubs program is February 29 and GBC has been working to finalize the Baltimore region's submission. The Tech Hub consortium led by GBC has secured a broad base of support for our bid, with approximately 90 letters of support and commitments from close to a dozen private sector entities, economic development organizations, and universities.
Lessons from Miami Region
On Tuesday, GBC hosted Rodrick Miller, the President & Chief Executive Officer of the Miami-Dade Beacon Council, who discussed his organization's focus on driving economic growth in the Miami region, championing Miami's business brand, developing the region's talent ecosystem, and engaging on issues impacting competitiveness. On April 5, GBC will unveil an annual investment scorecard tracking economic activity in the Baltimore region at Pulse Check: The Scorecard Summit .
GBC Testifies in Support of Expanding Maryland's Apprenticeship Pipeline
GBC testified in support of SB0511 , which would require the Secretary of Labor to establish a ratio of three apprentices to one journeyperson for each nontraditional trade occupation. By combining classroom instruction with paid, on-the-job training, apprenticeship programs help entry-level workers gain valuable skills and improve overall business competitiveness.
TIP Strategies Visiting Baltimore Region to Finalize 10-Year Economic Opportunity Plan
TIP Strategies has continued its research to understand the Baltimore Region’s economic opportunities and the challenges regional leaders need to collectively overcome to ensure more innovative and equitable growth in the coming decade. The team is returning to Baltimore in early March to discuss the plan framework, preliminary findings, and early draft strategies with varying groups of GBC partners. The final Economic Opportunity Plan will be released at GBC’s Annual Meeting on May 23.
ATTENTION EMPLOYERS: Participate in Baltimore Metropolitan Council Survey on Post-Pandemic Work Trends
The Baltimore Metropolitan Council (BMC)  is working to help governments, businesses and workers in our region better understand the scale and implications of post-pandemic changes in work arrangements (in-office and remote or hybrid work). The survey, which is for employers, takes about 10 minutes to complete, and your responses are confidential. This information will be critical in helping our region plan for a successful economy in the years to come.
Transportation & Infrastructure
GBC Commends Baltimore Transit Future Co-Chair Jon Laria as New BRTC Chair
GBC commends Baltimore Transit Future Co-Chair Jon Laria, who was tapped to lead the Baltimore Regional Transit Commission. The new 16-member body provides oversight, input, and advocacy for transit services in the Baltimore region. Mr. Laria was appointed to the commission by Governor Wes Moore.
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GBC Highlights Importance of Investing in Innovative Transportation Technologies
GBC provided testimony on the importance of public investment in advancing innovative transportation technologies, noting that "it's crucial that our state’s public and private sector leaders support a message that we’re 'open for aspiration' at a time where Maryland is largely missing from the vast community of innovation addressing how we move people and goods and connect communities."
Collective Impact
Baltimore City State's Attorney Ivan Bates Visits GBC
On Wednesday, GBC conducted a partner conversation with Baltimore City State’s Attorney Ivan Bates. Some BCSAO accomplishments in the first year under Mr. Bates leadership include a 35-40 percent increase in homicide convictions in 2023 compared to 2022, the hiring of 84 attorneys, $1.7 million in state funding for a body camera unit, and increased partnerships with the United States Attorney’s Office, Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, and Explosives and local service providers.
GBC Testifies in Support of Clean Slate Legislation
GBC submitted written testimony in support of SB602 /HB658 the Clean Slate Act of 2024 which establishes procedures for and requirements relating to the automated expungement of “clean slate eligible†charges. Automatically clearing old criminal records is essential for Maryland’s growing economy— especially amid ongoing labor shortages.
Introducing the Baltimore City Crime Dashboard
Using data from the BPD, GBC has produced a Baltimore City Crime Dashboard  that includes annual and year-to-date crime data across a wide range of categories, including crime type, weapon involvement, location, and victim demographics. This dashboard gives GBC audiences an opportunity to view current Baltimore City public safety trends in an interactive way and will be refreshed weekly. In the coming months, GBC will be producing dashboards that include other data such as BPD arrests, court case outcomes, and various gun violence metrics.
GBC Testifies in Support of Governor's Housing Plan
This week, GBC staff testified in support of HB538 and HB599 , key provisions within the Moore-Miller 2024 Legislative Housing Package. HB538 would make it easier to develop new housing across the state, including added density in retail- and/or transit-oriented corridors. HB599 would create a new entity to disburse New Market Tax Credits and expand the uses of Project CORE funding, aligning directly with GBC's vacant housing work.Â
Organizational Update
New CRM System for GBC Partners
GBC is transitioning to the Glue Up CRM system, which allows you to maximize your involvement with our organization. Email partner@gbc.org to learn more.
Join GBC in the transformation of the Baltimore region!
Work alongside our 400 partners, collectively harnessing expertise, resources, and thought leadership to propel the region forward.
Recent Media Coverage
WMAR-TV : GBC's first Black president & CEO helping write "next chapter" in city's history
Baltimore Banner : Maryland needs to reconsider transportation funding cuts
Baltimore Sun : Just one Bloomberg billion needed for BUILD's big push on vacants
Baltimore Fishbowl : Harborplace legislation advances after key City Council hearing
The Daily Record : Greater Baltimore Committee to host inaugural Baltimore Region Investment Summit
The Daily Record : Baltimore State's Attorney Bates says 'citation docket' off to slow start