Baltimore Food Hub Project Creates Jobs And Economic Opportunity
While much of the economic growth in the Greater Baltimore region has been centered on the areas known as STEM (science, technology, engineering and mathematics), there is a new public/private sector project planned for an under-served area in East Baltimore which is focused on creating jobs and economic opportunity within the food industry.
This project, just recently unveiled and known as The Baltimore Food Hub, is planned for a tract of land which is the former site of a city pumping station. According to the website, "Baltimore Food Hub is a project aimed at creating jobs and economic opportunity focused on the food industry. The project will transform a 3.5-acre site located at 1801 E. Oliver Street in East Baltimore into a campus housing a synergistic group of food-related businesses, services, and programs."
This campus is a joint endeavor by many parties, some of which include: Big City Farms; City of Baltimore; Humanim; The Johns Hopkins University; The Historic East Baltimore Community Action Coalition; Woodberry Kitchen; and American Communities Trust. A complete list may be found at The Baltimore Food Hub's website.
The action plan calls for a phased completion - with construction set to begin in early 2015 - and, once completed, to include a kitchen training facility, urban farming operation, retail farm stand, and office and training space for food entrepreneurs and start-up businesses.
Early hiring is being initiated now, and by year three, approximately 102-127 permanent jobs are expected to be generated. It is also estimated that about 10-20 new businesses will be developed each year.
Programs will include: a Food Business Incubator (to assist entrepreneurs in product development, business planning and marketing); food processing and flex office space; community gardens; community training in health and fitness; community open space; and in-school programs.
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.
