May 2017

WHAT'S NEW THIS MONTH

HarfordHappenings
The Harford Transit LINK Connects Employers to Employees - Now from Perryman and Riverside


On May 15, a pilot Harford Transit LINK bus route began offering transportation to Perryman and Riverside employment centers. The Perryman-Riverside Express Silver Line - Route #8 provides frequent service with connecting stops along U.S. Route 40 to existing Harford Transit LINK bus routes in Edgewood, Perryman, Aberdeen and Belcamp. This new route is in addition to the existing Route #6 schedule.  Harford Transit LINK buses are trackable in real time through the County's free RouteShout app.  Click for the  New Route Map & Schedule or the Press Release.
Building a Talent Pipeline: Plans Underway to Launch Internship Network of Maryland


Maryland's Department of Commerce, Maryland Tech Council, Breezio, and Fearless have teamed up to launch the Internship Network of Maryland (inMD). This online platform will connect Maryland's interns to industry professionals, help identify mentors, and allow interns to collaborate throughout the state. The goal is to build a "talent pipeline" that will keep students in Maryland by helping them succeed after graduation. READ MORE.
Maryland Favorite Wegman's Ties for First Place as America's Favorite Grocery Store

In a Market Force survey out this month, Wegman's tied with Florida-based Publix as America's favorite grocery store. This is the second year that Wegman's has held the top spot in the annu al survey, being the highest ranked for its specialty department service, and a close second for item availability.  Wegmans  has a handful of stores in Maryland, including Harford County's Abingdon location. 
Maryland Annual Gala Connects Manufacturers with Harford County's Talented Youth

Pictured above left to right: Henry Omomah, Bryan Parrott and Colin Clark of Dunlop Protective Footwear; Karen Holt of Harford OED; Scott Sobka of FritoLay; Rick Decker of RAMP MD and Dave Wheatley of D Wheatley Enterprises.

On May 25, Regional Manufacturing Institute of Maryland (RMI) and Maryland Manufacturing Extension Partnership (MEP) hosted their annual gala to showcase youth exhibits from across the state. Student groups demonstrated their expertise in 3D printing, coding, robotics, and other STEM projects, and had the opportunity to meet manufacturers in order to develop partnerships. 
20th CBRNE Command to Finish New $73 million headquarters at Aberdeen Proving Ground 


The 20th CBRNE (Chemical, Biological, Radiological, Nuclear and Explosives) Command held a Topping Out steel ceremony Wednesday, May 17 at the construction site for their new $73 million headquarters at Aberdeen Proving Ground. A Topping Out ceremony is a construction project milestone: the final piece of structural material is available for signatures by the construction team, the project team, and visitors, and then is put in place in the building. The program was hosted by BG William E. King IV, 20th CBRNE Commander.
Maryland Labor Secretary Schulz Addresses Aberdeen Chamber


Kelly Schulz, Secretary of Maryland's Department of Labor, Licensing and Regulation (DLLR) addresses attendees at the  Aberdeen Chamber of Commerce luncheon on May 23, discussing the department's customer service commitment to all stakeholders and apprenticeship programs currently piloted in partnership with industry.
Is Your Company Best in the Biz? Prove it to The Daily Record!

Think your company is one of the best places to work in Maryland? Prove it. Join The Daily Record 's Best Employers in Maryland program to get valuable feedback from employees and stand out from competitors.  The Best Employers in Maryland is a survey and awards program dedicated to identifying and recognizing the state's best employers and providing organizations with valuable employee feedback. Don't miss out - this is your opportunity to join the ranks of Maryland's most outstanding companies. Registration deadline is Friday, June 16. To register your company, visit BestEmployersMD.com.
Dr. Dianna Phillips Invested as 9th Harford Community College President


County Executive Barry Glassman brings congratulatory remarks to  Dr. Dianna Phillips' investiture as the ninth president of Harford Community College (HCC) on Monday, May 22 at the APGFCU Arena on HCC's campus before a crowd of community business leaders, College Trustees, faculty, staff and students. Dr. Phillips emphasized her commitment to leading the college in her closing: "It is the honor of my life to become the ninth President of Harford Community College - I pledge to the best of my abilities to lead this institution and discharge my duties with imagination, compassion, and rigor."
Town of Bel Air Hosts Sister City Narva, Estonia; Partnership Program Announced for Harford County Nursing Students

OED Director Karen Holt (left)  with Narva  Mayor Tarmo Tammiste (right)
The Town of Bel Air hosted representatives from its sister city of Narva, Estonia at a reception at Rockfield Manor on Tuesday, May 23. The City of Narva has had an ongoing relationship with Bel Air and on this occasion hosted both its Mayor and Deputy Mayor. Several proclamations were presented from the Maryland Delegation, Bel Air Town Commissioners and Harford County Council. Karen Holt, Director of Harford County Office of Economic Development presented a proclamation and coin on behalf of County Executive Barry Glassman. Following the reception, a panel discussion followed at Harford Community College entitled "Life on the Russian Border." A partnership program with Upper Chesapeake Health and Harford Community College's nursing program was also announced that evening to send six nursing students to study HIV and AIDS in Estonia later this fall where they are making great strides in research and treatment.
Aberdeen Proving Ground Memorial Unveiled in Festival Park

The Aberdeen Proving Ground (APG) Memorial honoring the military, civilian, and contract workers at APG who lost their lives in the conduct of their missions was unveiled in a dedication ceremony on May 31. Opening remarks were given by Charlie Nietubicz of the APG Centennial Celebration Association (ACCA) and Don Lewis of the Aberdeen Proving Ground Federal Credit Union . The APG Memorial is sponsored by the ACCA, a nonprofit dedicated to celebrating APG's 100 years of world-changing technology development.
Maryland Minimum Wage to Increase Effective July 1, 2017

Effective July 1, 2017, the Maryland minimum wage will increase to $9.25/hr. This raise is part of the state's several-year plan, with the plan to increase the minimum wage to $10.10/hr in 2018, and then another dollar per year until a $15/hr is expected to take effect by July 2022. For more information on Maryland minimum wage, visit 
Harford County Office of Economic Development Attends International Retail Conference in Las Vegas

Representatives from the Harford County Office of Economic Development attended ICSC RECon in Las Vegas May 21 - 24.  ICSC RECon is the world's largest retail real estate convention with more than 37,000 attendees representing 58 countries who gather for power deal making, endless networking and innovative education. The Maryland Delegation includes brokers, owners, and various government officials, including Governor Hogan. OED  attends to meet with both local and national landlords who own shopping centers in our area, as well as to support brokers working on deals for Harford County. 

It's Farmers Market season. Make sure to support Harford County's farms and buy local!

 


This month we're highlighting Bel Air's Farmers Market: 
Saturdays, 7:00 a.m. to 11:00 a.m. until November 18
Mary Risteau Courthouse off of Thomas Street
2 S. Bond Street |  Bel Air, MD  21014
  Visit www.belairfarmersmarket.com for details
Kudos
Congratulations to our Young Entrepreneur Academy Graduates!

Front, left to right: Chloe Meyer, CEO, Salvaged Blue; Saron Shara, CEO & Founder, Shara Foundation; Saif Zagloul, CEO, SOA.  Back, left to right: Jonathan Kaufman, President & CEO, 123 Tech Services; Qe'Sean Tittle, CEO & CFO, Flash Auctions; Robbie Stewart, CEO, SPAV; Michael Jennings, CEO & Founder, Para Terra; Nicholas Saccenti, CEO, Cele-plate.

The 2017 Young Entrepreneurs Academy (YEA) was hosted by the Harford County Chamber of Commerce and culminated with a graduation on May 9. The Office of Economic Development and Harford's Business Edge hosted the Investor Panel Presentation event at GroundFloor, and Director Karen Holt met with the students about County resources for entrepreneurs. Congratulations to Harford County's young entrepreneurs!
The Black-Eyed Susan Christened in Havre de Grace







Congratulations to The Black-Eyed Susan, Harford County's own authentic paddlewheel boat navigating the Susquehanna River and Upper Chesapeake Bay. The ship cruised the Cape Fear River in Mississippi until 2000, when she was brought to Baltimore and renamed The Black-Eyed Susan. The ship was purchased this year by Havre de Grace Marine Center where it now resides, managed by Captain Chris Scarlato and his wife Lachelle. Renovations began earlier in 2017 before the ship was christened for its new maiden voyage on May 30. The ship is now handicap-accessible, has a fully climatized main salon, and is available for charter 7 days a week. 
Harford County Office of Economic Development Connects Business Owners with Funding Opportunities


On May 11, the Office of Economic Development hosted its first Investment Marketplace, organized by Business Development Associate Bonnie Barresi, for local business owners to meet with twelve lenders, including banks, credit unions, and microlenders from around the region. The event gave local business owners the opportunity to participate in a "speed dating" workshop to discuss financing and next steps for burgeoning businesses.
Harford Community College Opens New, State-of-the-Art Cybersecurity Lab


Harford Community College (HCC) hosted the grand opening of its new cybersecurity lab on Friday, April 28. The new lab gives students the opportunity to gain "hands-on" experience when it comes to cybersecurity and information assurance. This addition to the college comes after the cybersecurity and information technology programs gained HCC the title of National Center of Academic Excellence in Cyber Defense Education from the Department of Homeland Security and the National Security Agency in 2015.
Dunlop Protective Footwear Receives Bright Light Award for Entrepreneurship and Innovation

Mary Steinbrenner, General Manager of  Dunlop Protective Footwear in Havre de Grace, MD, accepts the Bright Light Award from Maryland Comptroller  Peter Franchot before an audience of Dunlop employees, city, county, state and federal officials. The award recognizes Maryland companies for entrepreneurship and innovation.  Dunlop Protective Footwear proudly manufactures the only polyurethane boot in the U.S. Mary Steinbrenner oversees the production of 1.5 million pairs of boots a year and was recently highlighted in the Baltimore Sun. Click here to read the articleDunlop's recent purchase of innovative equipment is producing the Purofoot boot which uses one-million evenly-distributed air bubbles to reduce about 1,000 lbs of walking weight per day. The new technology brings 15 new jobs to the Havre de Grace facility and further expansion is anticipated. 
Congratulations to Northeastern Maryland Technology Council on a Successful Tech Summit

The Northeastern Maryland Technology Council (NMTC) hosted a summit on disruptive technologies on April 28. NMTC's highest-attended technology-only event was the first in a series of Disruptive Tech Summits that aim to collaborate with and inform key players in the tech community about overlapping technologies capable of affecting profound change in government, defense, business, and communities. The Office of Economic Development sponsored the keynote speaker Gary Markovits who spoke to disruptive innovation and building Northeastern Maryland's Collective Intelligence Cluster.
Lil' Pets, LLC Hosts Ribbon-Cutting in Jarrettsville


Lil' Pets, LLC, a specialty shop with pet supplies, handcrafted gifts, wild bird products and more, hosted its ribbon-cutting on Saturday, May 20. Councilman Chad Shrodes presented owner Lillian Condiss and canine co-owner Munchkin with a proclamation for the opening. Stop by 1117 Baldwin Mill Rd in Jarrettsville to see what they have.
Ribbon-Cutting for Cummings & Co. in Bel Air


Congratulations to Cummings & Co. Realtors on the opening of their new office at 111B Fulford Avenue in Bel Air. A locally-owned and operated company, Cummings & Co. has six offices in Maryland serving residential and commercial real estate customers.
Firehouse Subs Opens on Memorial Day in Bel Air


Firehouse Subs celebrated its grand opening on Memorial Day with a special honor to firefighters and the military. The ribbon-cutting ceremony at 615 Belair Road was attended by staff, family, friends, the Fallston Volunteer Fire Company, and Bel Air Town Commissioner Phil Einhorn, who presented a proclamation on behalf of the town.
Congratulations to Aberdeen Outdoor Power Equipment on their Grand Opening & Open House


Aberdeen Outdoor Power Equipment hosted a two-day grand opening celebration and open house on May 5 and 6, complete with ribbon-cutting, barbecue, and sales throughout the store. Serving Harford County since 1985, the business recently decided it was time to move to a "bigger and better location." Stop by their new facility at 1226 S. Philadelphia Blvd. in Aberdeen!
Calendars

Monday, JUNE 5 | 8:00 a.m.
NMTC 10th Annual Golf4STEM Tournament

Wednesday, JUNE 14 | 5:30 p.m.
Army Alliance Annual Dinner
Water's Edge Events Center
4687 Millennium Drive | Belcamp, MD 21017
Thursday, JUNE 15 | 12:00 p.m.
Lunch & Learn: 
How Non-profits and Small Businesses 
Work With Harford County Public Library
The GroundFloor
2021 Pulaski Highway | Havre de Grace, MD 21078

Tuesday, June 27 | 11:30 a.m.
Aberdeen Chamber of Commerce Luncheon
Ripken Stadium Club Level 
873 Long Drive | Aberdeen, MD 21001
Featured speaker Cal Ripken Jr

Friday, July 21 | 7:00 p.m.
Harford County Farm Fair Kick Off Concert
APGFCU Arena @ HCC
401 Thomas Run Rd | Bel Air, MD 21015
Featuring Eric Pasley and Jamie O'Neal

2017 Summer Financial Series
June 21 - Accounting & Bookkeeping Basics
July 19 - Small Business Taxes
August 16 - Savings & Retirement Planning
6:00 p.m. - 8:00 p.m.
The GroundFloor
2021 Pulaski Highway | Havre de Grace, MD 21078
LAST CALL FOR REGISTRANTS
2017 Women in Defense Workshop: Adapting and Persevering Through Change


Last call for registrants wanting to attend the 2017 Workshop of Real Women, Real Work, Real World (RW3): Adapting and Persevering Through Change. The keynote will be delivered by COL Margery Hanfelt, Commander of the U.S. Army Medical Research Institute of Chemical Defense, with a panel and professional development workshops led by skilled professionals in the field. For more information, please visit the registration page.
FinancialSeries

Lunch

Sign up for County Executive Barry Glassman's newsletter!


To keep you informed about new programs and services throughout Harford County government, you are cordially invited to receive County Executive Barry Glassman's online newsletter. This free monthly newsletter entitled "FYI" is helping thousands of citizens connect with opportunities to prosper in Harford County.  For a sample, see the May 2017 edition below. To subscribe please follow this link: http://www.harfordcountymd.gov/1664/FYI-e-Newsletter.
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