Maryland Companies Present Awards, Grants, and Events While Business Continues to Boom

The Maryland Marketing Partnership, created by Governor Larry Hogan in 2016 to help drive Maryland’s branding and marketing efforts to attract businesses, create jobs, and grow the state’s economy, today shared a summary of the latest news from companies and organizations that are part of the partnership.

“It is incredibly rewarding to see these Maryland organizations continue to invigorate this beautiful state with scholarships, events, entertainment, dining, and more,” said Tom Riford, executive director of the Maryland Marketing Partnership. “From our thousands of miles of shoreline to our local cultural traditions and our entrepreneurial spirit, Maryland’s strategic proximity to one-third of the population and top-rated school system makes it one of the best places to elevate your workforce.”

Bozzuto, based in Greenbelt, was named to the Seramount Inclusion Index for the fourth consecutive year. The Inclusion Index helps organizations understand trends and opportunities in demographic representation, creates a road map to drive internal change and identifies diversity, equity and inclusion (DEI) solutions to close any gaps. Bozzuto was among 54 organizations recognized for creating an inclusive workplace, receiving a 60 percent or higher score.

Cloudforce, based in National Harbor, welcomed state and local officials, clients, partners, family, and friends to its official Ribbon Cutting, commemorating its new 15,000 square foot office space. Twenty Cloudforce tech ninjas, project managers, and marketers traveled to Austin, TX, for SpiceWorld 2022, a 3-day tech-venture expo. Cloudforce joined forces with the Blacks at Microsoft National Capital Area (BAM NCA) for its annual BAM NCA Family 5K Walk, Jog, Run, benefiting scholarship funds and charities including the Boys and Girls Clubs of America. Cloudforce also co-sponsored the 2022 Youth & Real Estate Event benefiting the Boys & Girls Club of America of Greater Washington (BGCGW).

Eastern Watersports, based in Middle River, is Maryland’s go-to small business for outdoor recreational equipment. Selling both new and gently used items, the company offers affordable holiday gift ideas for every outdoor enthusiast, including kayaks, paddleboards, watersport accessories, SCUBA gear, golf equipment, and team sports gear for athletes of all ages. Visit them online at www.easternwatersports.com.

Ellin & Tucker, based in Baltimore, announced that Ed Brake is stepping down as chief executive officer after more than 30 years of service. Assuming the position of CEO is current Director and Chief Operating Officer Aileen Eskildsen who has worked side-by-side with Brake and the firm’s leadership team for the better part of Eskildsen’s 26-year career at the firm. They have collaborated to ensure a seamless and strategic transition for our employees, clients, and partners. The Ellin & Tucker family applauds Brake’s decades of service and his devotion to the firm, its employees, and the community.

Kaiser Permanente, based in Rockville, opened its new 48,000-square-foot West Hyattsville Medical Center in Prince George’s County this past August. This facility expands access to nation-leading quality care through on-site primary care services including adult and family medicine, a newborn care center, obstetrics and gynecology, and pediatrics, and offers onsite pharmacy and lab. The location will serve more than 26,000 members each year. In September, Kaiser Permanente also awarded $520,000 in health equity grants to 13 community organizations and nonprofits across the Mid-Atlantic region. The grants address social factors that can impact a person’s total health, such as food security, safe housing, schools, and economic opportunity. The funds will support programs and resources that allow them to expand their impact.

M&T Bank, with offices and branches across the state of Maryland, was the Baltimore region’s top U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA) lender for the 14th consecutive year in 2022, reflecting the bank’s continued commitment to helping small businesses throughout Greater Baltimore. In Baltimore, M&T approved 250 SBA 7(a) loans for $36.69 million in fiscal year 2022, which ended Sept. 30. The bank issued more than half of all SBA 7(a) loans approved in the Baltimore area. The bank also sponsors business accelerator programs designed to help minority entrepreneurs in Greater Baltimore get their businesses off the ground.

Peterson Companies, a longtime Maryland business, announced the opening of Miss Toya’s Creole House at Downtown Silver Spring, one of the region’s most vibrant communities. Founded by local restaurateur Jeffeary Miskiri, Miss Toya’s brings the heat to Downtown Silver Spring with southern creole food and drinks. Rio, Gaithersburg’s premier open-air shopping and dining destination, has inked lease deals with SportRock Climbing Centers and Miss Toya’s Southern Kitchen. The pair join over 50 brands located at rio’s spectacular waterfront setting. Additionally, National Harbor introduces Spirit Park, a landmark space designed as a modern tribute to the pride of the American Flag, to open Veteran’s Day.

Route One Apparel, based in Towson, invites you to shop its selection of more than 3,000 unique products in-person this holiday season. The popular online retailer will be vending at both the Festival of Trees at the Maryland State Fairgrounds in Timonium from Nov. 25 to 27, and at the Makers of Maryland Holiday Pop Up Shop at THE AVENUE at White Marsh on Saturday, Dec. 3. Route One Apparel is also excited to announce its new licensee agreement with Morton Salt, Inc., and plans to release its first designs featuring the iconic Morton Salt Girl this fall.

St. John Properties, Inc., based in Baltimore and one of the nation’s largest and most successful privately held commercial real estate firms, earned Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED) certification from the U.S. Green Building Council (USGBC) for the 100th building in its national portfolio. Since initiating its sustainability program in 2009, St. John Properties has been ranked within the top five LEED developers nationwide by the U.S. Green Building Council. The company also entered the North Carolina market with the recent opening of a new regional office in Raleigh as well as held a groundbreaking for yet another tower in Pleasant Grove, Utah.

SECU, based in Linthicum Heights and Maryland’s largest credit union, will participate in the annual Shop Maryland and Save for the Holidays campaign for the third year. In partnership with the MD|DC Credit Union Association Comptroller Peter Franchot launched the campaign to help Marylanders get into the holiday spirit and encourage Maryland credit union members to save even more with incentives from participating partners. To maximize every dollar their members spend locally, SECU is doubling rewards for members when they shop at businesses in Maryland with their points-eligible SECU credit card, now through Dec. 31.

TEDCO, based in Columbia, invested in technology startups CoolTech, LASSARUS, Flexnode, Tuzmo, and NanoBioFAB, and opened applications for its SBIR/STTR Proposal Lab. Four of its portfolio companies were also spotlighted on ABC7 Good Morning Washington, including Airgility, Galen Robotics, NasaClip and PerSoN Care. TEDCO’s CEO, Troy LeMaile-Stovall was featured in I95 Business Magazine and executive director of TEDCO’s Maryland Innovation Initiative (MII), Dr. Arti Santhanam, was featured in World’s Leaders Magazine.

The University System of Maryland (USM), based in Baltimore and the state’s public higher education system, was acknowledged in the 2022 edition of the College Board’s annual Trends in College Pricing report, confirming that Maryland families continue to benefit from USM’s commitment to affordable options at its institutions. The edition showed public in-state tuition and fees in Maryland ranked below the national average for the 2022-23 academic year and ranked 25th among the 50 states. Tuition at USM is substantially more affordable than neighboring states such as Pennsylvania (4th most-expensive state), Virginia (8th most-expensive) and Delaware (11th most-expensive). USM data show that approximately 50 percent of the system’s in-state baccalaureate recipients in 2021 completed their college experience with zero debt.

Warehouse Cinemas, based in Frederick, invites you to join Film League on Nov. 27 from noon to 2 p.m. for their next Brunch Club showing of ‘The Bodyguard’ in celebration of the classic film’s 30th anniversary. Brunch Club is a group of moviegoers that come together every month to experience a film and talk about it, enjoying a range of new and retro films for only $5 a ticket. Kick back in a heated recliner, with a bag of HANGOVER maple bacon popcorn, and a $5 cocktail in hand!

Weller Development announced a new partnership in the Bahamas with the world’s No. 1 luxury hotel group, Six Senses Hotels Resorts Spas, leading global impact investment manager Pegasus Capital Advisors, and the Global Fund for Coral Reefs. This dynamic team is bringing Six Senses to Grand Bahama Island with a new hotel, villas, and branded residences with a focus on sustainability and regeneration. The development will create employment opportunities for Grand Bahamians, enhance the Island’s natural elements, and engage the surrounding community while protecting the land for future generations of locals and visitors, acting an exemplar for future sustainable tourism models across the Caribbean.

About Maryland Marketing Partnership

The Maryland Marketing Partnership, founded in statute as the Maryland Public-Private Partnership Marketing Corporation, develops branding strategy for the state, markets the state’s assets, and encourages the location and growth of new businesses in Maryland.