Residents Dissatisfied With Baltimore's Modest Economic Growth Vote For Change
So, we have not only a new Governor, and party, in Annapolis but also, perhaps, a new view on how to stimulate our region's economic growth. The latest numbers show that unemployment in Maryland dropped slightly by .1 percentage point in September, 2014 according to the U. S. Bureau of Labor Statistics. Growth occurred in the government sector which added a total of 3,300 jobs. The private sector lost 500 net jobs while manufacturing, financial activities, professional and business services added positions.
The good news is that with the holiday season upon us, there is the traditional gearing up by many retail stores and outlets. Baltimore Business Journal reports that Kohl's Department Stores is looking to hire 2,300 seasonal workers for its e-commerce fulfillment center in Edgewood, Md. Applicants must be 18 years old and be able to lift 30 pounds.
Other positive news reports that W. R. Grace & Co., the international chemicals, technology and materials company, which emerged from bankruptcy in February of this year, opened its new global headquarters in Columbia, Md. on October 31 as reported by The Baltimore Sun. Grace reported $3.1 billion in sales last year; and company officials say this latest move is part of a $100 million investment made by the company into its Columbia and Baltimore facilities over the past three years. The company has added 74 employees over the past three years and expects to add 100 more by 2018.
Additionally, a 45,000 square foot Whole Foods is the first tenant announced for Towson Row - a $350 million mixed use project planned for Towson on five acres bounded by York Road, Towsontown Boulevard, and Washington and Chesapeake Avenues according to an article in The Baltimore Sun. Another larger Whole Foods is in the planning stages for 711 Central Avenue in Baltimore City in the Harbor East area. Traffic studies have been commissioned by the City Board of Estimates although Whole Foods has not confirmed this plan as of yet.
Susan Brown originally spent many years in banking/finance before confronting her addictions. She has now been in recovery for 20 years. Her current interests, in which she has several certifications, are metaphysics and the healing arts. She has written for Examiner.com since 2009 and also writes for Om Times.