ANNAPOLIS – Web hosting firm Sidus Group has begun offering Sidus BioData, an FDA- and HIPAA/HITECH-compliant data Hosting solution.

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ANNAPOLIS – Compass Marketing has added a new group led by James C. “Chip” DiPaula, Jr. to facilitate clients’ reach into international markets.  DiPaula came to the consumer product marketing firm from developer Petrie Ross Ventures.

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ANNAPOLIS – CoStar reports that the owner of Mike’s Restaurant and Crab House has bought the 7,700 square-foot building next door for $2 million.  Brothers Investments LLC acquired the restaurant formerly known as Paul’s, which has about an acre fronting the South River and one boat dock.

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COLUMBIA – The Office of the State’s Attorney for Howard County signed an 11,000-square-foot deal at 8815 Centre Park Drive.  The agency relocated from its previous location on Courthouse Drive in Columbia.   The four-story, 53,765-square-foot Class A office building was built in 1988 on 3.18 acres in the Oakland Executive Park.

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PHILADELPHIA – USA3000 Airlines  says it will  resume  direct  service  to Bermuda from BWI beginning June  13^th and continuing through August 15^th.

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CHESTERTOWN – Marketing shop Benchworks is the new tenant in the Seed House at the Radcliffe Mill complex, which will serve as the company’s Creative Services headquarters.

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As a publisher I have been on the receiving end of what has caused many a journalist to cringe: poorly written news releases, improper targeting and overblown statements from public relations people about their relationship with me.  Relationships involve meaningful two-way engagement.  They take time and effort.  They require evidence of credibility.  A passing conversation or email may meet the threshold of acquaintance, but it does not define a relationship in PR, sales, marketing, human resources, operations, or any other function.

My primary occupation is PR, so I am schooled in the value of appropriate communication.  But I’ve learned the most from others’ examples of what not to do.  False claims are right up there with bad management and no strategy.

Md. Dept. Transportation Secretary Beverley Swaim-Staley at BWI Business Partnership

LINTHICUM – The state’s largest department has spent more than $100 million in snow removal, faces a $136 million (or 21%) decline in the vehicle titling tax, and expects it will be 2011 before a new fiscal authorization comes through that would allow for long-term planning.  In some cases, said Dept. of Transportation Secretary Beverley Swaim-Staley, the state has been successful in looking ahead and meeting needs.  A deal with BMW will bring to the Port of Baltimore 50,000 cars next year, and a new berth there is under construction that will accommodate bigger cargo ships that are expected to become popular because of the widening of the Panama Canal.  A new Chesapeake Bay Bridge crossing is not under consideration in any scenario.

The Secretary also pointed to the state’s adjustment to cash shortfalls, such as a $2.5 billion cut in capital programs and its efforts in the land grab for federal funds.  The feds have sent our way $638 million in last year’s jobs bill, $90 million for upgrading BWI’s MARC station, and $60 million to improve a 100 year-old rail tunnel in Baltimore.  No comment yet from other countries holding U.S. Treasuries.

Bob Hannon, AAEDC

GAMBRILLS – This development has inched closer to reality now that 15 amendments to the master plan were approved last week.  Anne Arundel Economic Development chief Bob Hannon said it is up to the county council to approve the plan, which includes significant zoning changes for greater density and mixed use.  There are 76 property owners with a stake in this, so it has been tough to get consensus on issues such as transportation (e.g. Route 175 now will keep its current width) and infrastructural systems for water, sewer and power.  Even after council approval, challenges remain such as funding the upgrade to the sewer system and working with Fort Meade to coordinate the BRAC impact.  Master plan approval could occur at the next county council session.

ANNAPOLIS – The Chesapeake Regional Tech Council has decided on the list of finalists for its TechAwards 2010 program dubbed the Race to Renewal.  On March 25 winners will be picked in each category from the following lists of honorees:

Tech Company of the Year: Techno-Sciences, Inc., Vision Technologies, Inc. and Zenoss
Innovator Award: Kaulkin Information System, Inc., Vapotherm, Inc. and Zenoss
Tech Service Award: ANALYSYS, G-Security and IntelliGenesis LLC
Good Chip Award: LET’S GO – BGCAA (STEM), RelianceNet and Richard Cerkovnik, Ph.D. / Anne Arundel Community College STEM Center.

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