Baltimore Integration Partnership Update - December 2017/January 2018

Open to Growth - In partnership with the Baltimore City Chamber of Commerce and sponsored by Kaiser Permanente, please join us on 1/19 at Coppin State University for procurement panel discussions and a reverse vendor fair. Participating organizations include LifeBridge Health, Towson University, MICA, UMB, UMMC, HopkinsLocal, Coppin State, Loyola, Kaiser Permanente, Plank Industries and UB. The event is FREE to attend, but you must register in advance. Room capacity is limited so please register today!

Food and Beverage Business Casting Call and Open House – In partnership with Humanim’s City Seeds and School of Food, please join us for an open house to learn more about the food and beverage sourcing needs of large businesses and anchor institutions. Purchasers include Johns Hopkins, MICA, Loyola, Sagamore, LifeBridge, University of Maryland Medical Center, and University of Maryland-Baltimore. Two open houses are planned on 1/31. Learn more and register today!

Kaiser Permanente Joins the BIP Board

The BIP Board was pleased to welcome Kaiser Permanente to its ranks this past week. With a national footprint and a strong reputation for their anchor institution strategies, Kaiser Permanente has a growing Baltimore presence and is focusing a large part of their efforts on West Baltimore. Future Baltimore, a flagship partnership between Bon Secours Baltimore Health System and Kaiser Permanente will address the socio-economic and health needs of residents in three of West Baltimore’s neighborhoods: Boyd-Booth, Franklin Square and Fayette Street. This partnership brings together the full assets of two anchor institutions in Baltimore that are committed long-term to the welfare of its citizens (See Baltimore Sun Story, 7/5/2017). Kaiser Permanente is also a sponsor of the P-Tech program at Dunbar and is working to grow their minority business contracting locally and nationally. The BIP is excited to have them help guide our collective work forward as they deepen their Baltimore commitments.

BLocal Announces Year 1 Performance Outcomes

The Johns Hopkins led BLocal Initiative, which includes commitments from 27 businesses working to leverage their purchasing, hiring, construction and investment strategies for Baltimore, announced Year 1 outcomes from their work last week. The BLocal Progress Report details over $73 million in construction spending, 470 new hires, $12.3 million in purchasing, and $12.2 million in investment and in kind support. The announcement was accompanied by an editorial from the Baltimore Sun and a response from Maryland Philanthropy Network highlighting the need to grow and sustain these strategies.

Made In Baltimore Opens Holiday Pop-up Store; Grows Certification

City of Baltimore is growing their efforts to promote businesses that sell products manufactured or created in the City. Through Made in Baltimore, makers, makerspaces, and retailers are now eligible to be certified and have their business and products promoted online while gaining access to a variety of services and networking opportunities. Over 130 businesses are now certified. Workforce strategies, particularly in the textile space, are also part of their efforts. This past summer, businesses toured Maryland Correctional Enterprises textile center in Jessup and this fall the initiative piloted a free textile training program for 10 individuals in partnership with SewLabs. BIP procurement and small business development leaders recently toured the Made in Baltimore Holiday Pop-up which features a range of artisanal, manufactured, and food related items. Be sure to stop by for all of your holiday needs.

Free Development Programs for Businesses through Johns Hopkins and BLocal

Application processes are now open for two FREE programs to support business development and growth. The BLocal BUILD Contractors College is a program that provides training for small, local, minority-owned, woman-owned and/or disadvantaged Baltimore-based businesses in the design and construction industries and features training sessions that focus on construction-, design-, and business-related topics. The application period for the spring 2018 BLocal BUILD College is open until January 12, 2018. Businesses are also being recruited for the Goldman Sachs 10,000 Small Business Program which is designed for small business owners who are interested in taking the business to the next level. In professional workshops, business owners learn about access to financial capital and build a powerful network of professional support. The curriculum focuses on practical business skills, including negotiations, employee management and marketing. Applications are being accepted until January 8th.

More Details and Apply for BLocal BUILD Contractors College
More Details and Apply for Goldman Sachs 10,000 Small Businesses

MICA’s BCAN Initiative Launches; Fellowship Applications Now Being Accepted

The Baltimore Creatives Acceleration Network, hosted at the Maryland Institute College of Art, has launched providing strategic and as-needed, just-in-time entrepreneurship support for Baltimore creatives of all disciplines and backgrounds. Applications are now being accepted for the BCAN Founder Fellowship powered by Creative Startups. The program is a rigorous business boot camp providing access to local and global mentor networks, legal services, and pitch opportunities. Participants will also receive a subsidized residency at one of Baltimore’s top creative incubators including Open Works, Eubie Blake, ETC, Betamore or Impact Hub. Two information sessions will be held in early January before applications are due on January 14^th. The first cohort of 5-10 business is expected to be selected in March. Please visit their website for more details and to apply for the Fellowship. Additional programming will be launched in 2018 including Help Desk and BCAN Mobile. More Information on BCAN.

Employer Directory of Workforce Organizations to Help Hire Locally

A new directory of Baltimore nonprofit and public workforce development organizations is now available to help employers and community stakeholders find workforce partners to meet hiring needs. It summarizes the work of more than 45 organizations that support Baltimore City workers by offering skills training, eliminating barriers to employment, and facilitating job placement. Learn More

City Seeds Opens New Kitchen in Food Hub

"Kick it up a notch,” as chef Emeril Lagasse says, is exactly what City Seeds is doing as they move into their new kitchen becoming the first tenant in the Baltimore Food Hub. Over the past four years, City Seeds has launched a multi-dimensional food strategy featuring small business development through School of Food, catering services, grab and go meals/ kiosks at area anchors, and workforce development training. Their work has grown in part through contracts from Kaiser Permanente, Annie E. Casey, Johns Hopkins, Exelon and Maryland Institute College of Art. Seven BIP anchor institutions are currently working with School of Food to connect food service purchasing to local and minority owned businesses. Learn more about City Seeds Work and Outcomes.

SAVE THE DATE!!!

The BIP partnering with the Baltimore City Chamber of Commerce to host an anchor procurement and small business engagement event on Friday January 19^th from 7:30 to 11. Participating organizations include LifeBridge, Towson, MICA, UMB, UMMC, HopkinsLocal, Coppin State, Loyola, Kaiser Permanente, Plank Industries and UB. Registration and details to come early in the New Year. Please visit the City of Chamber’s website or the BIP’s in early January for details.

Administrative Training Program Cohort Graduates; Recruiting for Next Class Underway

Twelve institutions are working with Humanim’s administrative assistant training program that is preparing individuals for professional positions at anchors and with other employers. Through support from DLLR’s EARN Maryland program and the BIP, 13 young men and women completed the admin training and graduated in late October receiving Microsoft Office and PACE Certifications. Over half of the graduates have been hired already with placements at Notre Dame, Towson, University of Maryland Baltimore, and Johns Hopkins Hospital. Candidates are being recruited for the next cohort which will begin February 12, 2018. Learn more about this Free Training Program.