Johns Hopkins University Hopes To Provide More Business To City
BALTIMORE (WJZ) -- Johns Hopkins University and Health System is stepping up its role in the economic health of the city. JHU is committing to give more business to contractors located in the city an increase hiring of Baltimore City residents.
Pat Warren outlines the plan.
Johns Hopkins is flexing its muscle to promote economic growth for those living in distressed areas of the city.
The Freddie Gray riots hit a nerve, highlighting a long-neglected ill in city neighborhoods: lack of opportunity.
"I see people up here every day looking for work, getting on a computer, busting their butt from 8 o'clock til the time this place closes," said Gershwin Hardy.
"There's plenty of people in Baltimore City looking for work every day---we just don't get the opportunity," said Brian Samuels.
This job center is in Mondawmin Mall, a focal point of the riot and looting in April.
"The fate of Hopkins is inextricably linked to the fate of the city," said JHU President Ron Daniels.
Johns Hopkins University and the JHU health system are committed to hiring residents of the most challenged neighborhoods of the city to increasing the number of Baltimore businesses it uses and awarding more construction work to city contractors.
"And so that means wherever we can, we're going to use our leverage to try to improve the welfare of our fellow citizens," Daniels said.
Hopkins has a long-standing policy of supporting the city but the April chaos was a wakeup call.
"The unrest obviously was a factor in causing us to double and redouble our efforts," Daniels said.
Not for a temporary fix but for lasting opportunities.
Hopkins will increase spending with local businesses by $6 million over three years.
On the construction end, Johns Hopkins anticipates spending $20 million a year.