County hires leader of stormwater management program

By REMA RAHMAN rrahman@capgaznews.com 

ANNAPOLIS - Anne Arundel County's stormwater management program has a new leader.

Beginning Feb. 13, Erik Michelsen will be an administrator of the Watershed Protection and Restoration Program.

 He is the executive director of the South River Federation, a local watershed organization that conducts its own stormwater management projects.

Michelsen will oversee planning and restoration efforts to ease polluted runoff into waterways and the Chesapeake Bay.

Read full article here from Capital Gazette

Navy admiral is Obama’s pick to take reins of NSA

Associated Press - This Oct. 5, 2011, photo, provided by the U.S. Navy, shows Vice Adm. Michael Rogers. Defense Secretary Chuck Hagel is announcing that Rogers, the head of the Navy’s Cyber Command, has been chosen to be the next chief of the troubled National Security Agency. Rogers, also a former intelligence director for the Joint Chiefs of Staff, is being nominated to replace Army Gen. Keith Alexander.

By Associated Press, Published: January 30

WASHINGTON — A Navy admiral is President Barack Obama’s choice to be the next head of the National Security Agency, which is embroiled in controversy over its secret surveillance programs and massive collection of phone and Internet data.

Vice Adm. Mike Rogers, the head of the Navy’s Cyber Command and a former intelligence director for the Joint Chiefs of Staff, is being appointed to lead the NSA, Defense Secretary Chuck Hagel announced Thursday. Rogers also is being nominated to get a fourth star and head U.S. Cyber Command.

 Rogers, who replaces Army Gen. Keith Alexander at the NSA, comes into the job facing the challenge of revamping the way the agency collects and stores its data. Alexander plans to retire in mid-March.

Read full article here from The Washington Post 

Hogan names Boyd Rutherford as running mate

By Michael Dresser, The Baltimore Sun

Republican gubernatorial candidate Larry Hogan introduced Boyd Rutherford, a former Ehrlich administration Cabinet secretary, as his running mate Wednesday night at a rally at an Annapolis-area crab house.

Hogan, the Anne Arundel County resident who was appointments secretary for GOP Gov. Robert L. Ehrlich Jr., became a late entry in the governor's race last week. He joined a field that includes Harford County Executive David R. Craig, Del. Ron George of Anne Arundel County and Charles County business executive Charles Lollar.

Of Hogan's rivals, only Craig has named a running mate, Del. Jeannie Haddaway of the Eastern Shore.

Read more: http://www.baltimoresun.com/news/maryland/politics/bs-md-hogan-running-mate-20140129,0,3628648.story#ixzz2rupFk8Cz

Your stolen Target info: Here's the latest

Bob Niedt 

Digital Producer- Washington Business Journal

And now, the federal government is stepping into the abyss known as Target Corp.

U.S. Attorney General Eric Holder moved in to the fray, telling a Senate committee his office is on the hunt for who is behind the holiday data breach that saw the credit- and debit-card information of tens of millions of us Target customers fall into the hands of thieves.

As we reported earlier, the biggest retail data breach in history is having far-reaching effects. Banks, credit card companies, credit unions and retailers are saying the Target theft is causing tens of millions of dollars downstream. They have to replace credit cards, tighten computer systems and more. They have to comfort wary shoppers who no longer want to freely swipe or give away personal information — or shop at their stores.

 Read full article from The Washington Business Journal

The Top Four Meeting Trends of 2014

Here's a look at what the New Year will hold for the meetings industry and how planners can ensure 2014 is successful.

By Agatha Gilmore
January 26, 2014

As we collectively embark on this exciting New Year, with fresh resolutions and fresh hope, we find ourselves looking ahead and eagerly anticipating what the future holds. While there’s no crystal ball for meetings in 2014, there are certainly some emerging trends that will continue to shape the industry. Here’s a look at four of these developments, and advice for planners on how they can not only meet, but beat expectations in the year ahead.

1. Meetings Are Experiences

If there’s one thing that all the experts agree on, it’s that meetings today aren’t just face-to-face gatherings for the sole purpose of exchanging business information. Rather, they’re enriching, one-of-a-kind experiences that attendees will treasure forever.

“It’s less about, ‘I’m going to a conference,’ and more about, ‘I’m going to have an experience,’” says Carol McGury, senior vice president of event and education services for SmithBucklin in Chicago.

 Read full article here from Successful Meetings

Carnival Pride to resume Baltimore cruises in 2015 after brief exit

Ryan Sharrow 

New Media Editor- Baltimore Business Journal

Carnival Cruise Lines plans to bring back its Pride ship to Baltimore in 2015 following a brief departure stemming from new federal fuel regulations.

The world’s largest cruise company said last year it would reposition the cruise this November from the Port of Baltimore to Tampa, Fla., where the boat will begin seven-day cruises to Grand Cayman and Cozumel.

Those plans will continue. But following approval in September by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency and the U.S. Coast Guard of Carnival’s plan to reduce ship emissions, the ship will again start year-round cruises from Baltimore beginning in March 2015.

 Read full article here from The Baltimore Business Journal

Howard County Executive Ulman Pushes Plan to Retain 1,000 Jobs; Add Several Hundred More

January 29, 2014

Media Contact:

David Nitkin, Director of Communications, Office of Public Information, 410-313-2022

New location for Coastal Sunbelt Produce will facilitate expansion for one of county’s largest employers

   

ELLICOTT CITY, MD – Howard County Executive Ken Ulman on Wednesday announced his support of an initiative that would allow one of the County’s largest employer’s, Coastal Sunbelt Produce, to remain in Howard and expand its operations.

Seeking to build a new headquarters and create efficiencies by co-locating some operations, Coastal Sunbelt has been in search of property that would accommodate its needs.  Many of the properties the company explored were outside of Howard County.

County Executive Ulman and the Howard County Economic Development Authority (HCEDA) worked to identify a site within Howard that would meet the company’s objectives.  The preferred location is in North Laurel, near the Laurel Race Track.  The County Executive is backing a necessary change to County zoning regulations that would allow the company to operate on the land that has been identified.

The amendment awaits final Howard County Council approval, allowing the transaction to be completed.

“It takes a hands-on approach to preserve and grow jobs,” County Executive Ulman said.  “Coastal Sunbelt is a terrific business, and we need them to stay and prosper in Howard County.  I’m glad we were able to figure out a way that allows this expansion to go forward.”

Coastal Sunbelt CEO John Corso said the company would like to remain in Howard County.

“This is our home and we want to stay,” Corso said. “We are a growing company needing to expand. Executive Ulman, along with his team, was pivotal in making sure we found a great location where we will be able to add jobs. We are hopeful we can complete the final steps needed for this venture, and break ground soon.”

“Job creation and economic growth is one of our top priorities,” said Council Chairman Calvin B. Ball.  “I believe this plan is good for the residents of Howard County.”

“Coastal Sunbelt is a good neighbor and we need to find ways to keep them in the area,” said County Councilmember Jen Terrasa, who represents District 3, which includes the proposed site.

Coastal Sunbelt has been an active leader in the North Laurel community, particularly with its support of the area’s limited English-speaking residents.  The company has provided job opportunities for many of those residents, and through an innovative partnership with Bollman Bridge Elementary School, encourages those employees to learn English and become better integrated into American life.  The company’s efforts earned it a 2012 American Success Award from FIRN, the Foreign Born Information and Referral Network.

Coastal Sunbelt employs about 1,000 permanent full-time employees in the county and could add several hundred new jobs after the real estate transaction is finalized.

“It took a lot of work to get to this point, and the Economic Development Authority is thrilled that this deal is going to get done,” said HCEDA CEO Lawrence F. Twele. The Maryland Department of Business and Economic Development has also played a key role in facilitating the transaction, Twele said.

First phase of new town center at former Laurel Mall site is set to open in March

By Luz Lazo, Published: January 28 

The first portion of the $130 million redevelopment of the former Laurel Mall will open in March, the developer said Monday, announcing more than a dozen retailers and restaurants that will debut there this year.

A 70,000-square-foot Burlington Coat Factory will open in late March, kick-starting the grand opening of the Towne Centre at Laurel, just two years after the city in northern Prince George’s County said goodbye to the old enclosed mall.

 Thomas M. Fitzpatrick, president and chief operating officer at Greenberg Gibbons, the Owings Mills, Md.-based developer, said the center on Route 1 is 85 percent leased.

Read full article here from The Washington Post 

University of Maryland BioPark Sponsors Cocktail Recpetion in Baltimore February 5th

Cocktail Reception in Baltimore
 

Sponsored by: University of Maryland BioPark

Join us at the University of Maryland BioPark Life Sciences Conference Center for a cocktail reception to engage and connect with your peers.   This is a great opportunity for you to meet or reconnect with other professionals in the technology and life science community.  

Directions

Main Lobby Desk 410.244.1958

Parking Garage located at One N. Poppleton Street (corner of West Baltimore & Poppleton Streets)
Metered Street Parking is available on the 800 & 900 blocks of West Baltimore Street

 EVENT DETAILS​
 

Wednesday, February 5, 2014
5:00 - 7:00 PM

University of Maryland BioPark
Life Sciences Conference Center
801 W. Baltimore Street
Baltimore, MD 21201

 

 

TCM MemberPlus $39

TCM Members $39

Non Members $59

 

 For more information

Public Service Announcement - Drop Box for Unused Medications

Media and Information Tape Line available to

Laurel Residents – 240-294-1307

Drop Box for Unused Medications

 

Mayor Craig A. Moe and Laurel Police Chief, Richard McLaughlin, are pleased to announce the installation of MedReturn Drug Collection Unit at the Laurel Police Department, located at 811 5^th Street, 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, 365 days a year. 

Laurel Police Department Chief, Richard McLaughlin, says these units are “a safe and reliable way to dispose of the unwanted, unneeded or expired medications. This keeps them out of our water, landfills and most importantly children’s reach (or temptation).” 

“Laurel area residents have enthusiastically participated in the National Drug Enforcement Agency’s drug ‘Take Back’ day, turning in thousands of pounds of medication to the Laurel Police Department collection site. With the permanent drop boxes now available, area residents will not have to wait for a certain day, but rather can dispose of unwanted drugs at any time. The Laurel Police Department has been working to provide residents an easy way to keep their homes safe and unwanted medicine out of their cabinets,” said Mayor Craig Moe.

Be aware that once you have deposited your unwanted, unused or expired medications, the Laurel Police Department will dispose of your medications in accordance with the laws.

If you have any questions or would like to know more about the program, please call the Laurel Police Department at 301-498-0092.

2013 Internet Statistics - Numbers, Trends, and Analytics

What did the Web look like in 2013? In this article, we'll go through a wide variety of usage statistics from around the Web that will help us understand what we did on the Internet this year, from mobile usage numbers to social user behavior to global Internet statistics. 

1. Mobile Web Use

More of us are accessing the Web via mobile devices - smartphones, tablets, phablets - than in any time before in history, and that is only expected to increase. For 2013:

• 58% of all US consumers already own a smartphone. - ComScore
  
• Over 1.2 billion people access the web from their mobile devices. - Trinity Digital Marketing
  
• Global mobile traffic now accounts for 15% of all Internet traffic. - Internet Trends 2013
  
• Mobile-based searches make up one quarter of all searches. - The Search Agency
  
• 50% of mobile phone users, use mobile as their primary Internet source. - Digital Buzz
• Overall use of mobile apps soared by 115 percent in 2013. Utilities and productivity apps rose by 149 percent, music and entertainment apps by 78 percent, and games by 66 percent. But the biggest leap was achieved by messaging and social apps, which climbed by 203 percent. - Flurry Analytics

Read full article at About.com 

Leadership woes continue at SBA

Kent Hoover 

Washington Bureau Chief

The acting head of the Small Business Administration will finally return to the private sector in mid-February, when Jeanne Hulit becomes president of Maine-based Northeast Bank's community banking division.

The question is whether the SBA will have a new administrator by then. President Barack Obama announced plans two weeks ago to nominate Maria Contreras-Sweet, a community banker from Los Angeles, for the post. The announcement came 11 months after former SBA Administrator Karen Mills announced her plans to leave the agency.

Mills stayed around until August, and then Hulit, who had been in charge of the agency's lending programs, took over as acting administrator. As Obama acknowledged in his announcement of Contreras-Sweet's nomination, Hulit stayed at the SBA longer than she originally intended.

Read full article here from The Business Journals

BWI / Spirit announces new BWI service

Spirit Airlines announced this morning new seasonal service at BWI Marshall Airport.

The daily service between BWI Marshall and Minneapolis-St.  Paul (MSP) will run from May 1 - November 1.

Spirit's press release is below.  Also, here is a link—

http://ir.spirit.com/releasedetail.cfm?ReleaseID=821726

Spirit shifted its Washington-area service from DCA to BWI Marshall in September 2012 with service to Fort Lauderdale and Dallas-Fort Worth.  It later added service to Myrtle Beach and Las Vegas.

Invitation to Join the BWCC Legislative Committee

Barney Hughes, Chair, of the Baltimore Washington Corridor Chamber’s Legislative Committee would like to invite the members of the BWCC to join him and members of the BWCC Legislative Committee on Thursday mornings at 8:30 am beginning February 6^th on a group conference call to discuss legislative issues that are now being proposed by the Maryland General Assembly whose session began earlier this month.   The Conference calls are held on a weekly basis throughout the session to discuss proposed legislation that affects all businesses in the state of Maryland and most specifically, our Chamber members.  We would very much like to get  your feedback on these issues and believe you will find the conference calls interesting.

Members of the Legislative Committee meet via conference call to decide what action the BWCC should take about any proposed legislation.  Once the decision is made, letters expressing the views of our membership  are sent to the legislative committees considering the proposed legislation. Your input on these matters is very valuable and we hope you will join us.  Please contact Shirley Redd either by phone or email at 301-725-4000, ext. 107 or shirley.redd@bwcc.org to let us know about your interest so your name can be added to the group for all notifications about the conference calls.

Thanks.  We look forward to hearing from you.

Trips from BWI to Aruba, Jamaica, Bahamas to change banners starting July 1

January 27, 2014 / by Scott Dance, The Baltimore Sun

Southwest Airlines will make its first international flights July 1, including flights between Baltimore and Aruba, the Bahamas and Jamaica, as the carrier takes over routes flown by subsidiary AirTran Airways.

Daily flights will operate between Baltimore-Washington International Thurgood Marshall Airport and Aruba and Nassau, Bahamas. The airline will operate twice-daily flights between BWI and Montego Bay, Jamaica. AirTran currently flies on those routes.

Flights to those Caribbean locations also will be scheduled from Atlanta and Orlando, Fla.

"We are in the process of converting existing AirTran destinations with Southwest products," said Dan Landson, a Southwest spokesman. "This is the first in a series of announcements."

By the end of 2014, Southwest plans to add service to four more international airports to its route maps, destinations in which AirTran already operates: Cancun, Los Cabos and Mexico City, Mexico, and Punta Cana, Dominican Republic.

AirTran currently offers direct flights from Baltimore to Cancun. Together, the two carriers serve 70 percent of BWI passengers.

Southwest acquired AirTran in May 2011 in a deal it valued at $3.2 billion.

BWI's top executive welcomed the changes.

"This is an important first step as Southwest Airlines officially makes the move to the international market," said Paul J. Wiedefeld, the airport's CEO, in a statement. "The significant move by Southwest is important for BWI Marshall and our customers."

In addition to AirTran's international routes, BWI's international schedule includes flights to London via British Airways and to Toronto via Air Canada. During the summer, Condor offers flights from BWI to Frankfurt, Germany. 

BWI's international traffic grew 21 percent in 2012, to about 704,000 of 22.7 million passengers. For the 12 months ending in November, the most recent month for which data are available, international traffic rose 20 percent, Dean said.

Southwest's integration with AirTran also could affect domestic flight schedules at BWI. Southwest is gradually taking over AirTran's routes within the United States, Landson said.

Read article here from The Baltimore Sun