Archive for the ‘gov’t-quasi gov’t’ Category

ANNAPOLIS – the Anne Arundel County Council unanimously approved the previously announced agreement for development to move forward on Odenton Town Center.  The Halle Companies will pay $15 million to build the central Town Center Blvd.

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LAUREL – With the aim of predicting space weather effects, a collection of organizations have banding together and implemented a space-based system to monitor Earth’s space environment.  The Johns Hopkins University Applied Physics Laboratory, The Boeing Company and Iridium Communications have put in place a system that provides real-time magnetic field measurements.

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ANNAPOLIS – Defense juggernaut Raytheon, which has leased 20,000 square feet in Annapolis Junction to support the doubling of its workforce in Maryland by the end of the year, has received funding for training programs.  Anne Arundel Economic Development Corp. approved two agreements of $110,000 for training Raytheon staff on cybersecurity, and Maryland’s Dept. of Business and Economic Development is providing up to an additional $50,000.

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ANNAPOLIS – Announced at an unusual gathering that featured numerous Maryland politicians in one place (albeit in ARINC’s secure facility), Anne Arundel Workforce Development Corp. (WDC) will receive $4.9 million to help fund cyber security job training.  Awarded through a U.S. Dept. of Labor competitive grant program, the funds will provide tuition assistance for 1,000 “dislocated” workers, aka those who are out of work or want to upgrade their skills.  Classes are expected to start this fall.

L to R: U.S. Rep. John Sarbanes, U.S. Senator Barbara Mikulski, Gov. Martin O'Malley, ARINC CEO John Belcher, Vice Admiral Bernard McCullough III (head of U.S. Fleet Cyber Command). Not pictured: U.S. Sen. Ben Cardin, AACC Pres. Dr. Martha Smith, and WDC President Kirkland Murray

WDC will implement the program with community colleges such as Anne Arundel, and the Pathways to Cyber Security Careers Consortium, a group of academic, government and industry partners including ARINC. 

In kicking off the announcement, Sen. Mikulski cited Maryland as the epicenter for cyber security and the program’s aim to create private-sector jobs.  The U.S. Fleet Cyber Command, part of the U.S. 10th Fleet, will be headquartered at Fort Meade. 

Asked about a recent series in The Washington Post that highlighted the immense resources spent and challenges associated with preventing terrorism and promoting cyber security, Mikulski had this to say:

“I disagree with the conclusion that there is no test for effectiveness.   The test is that we’ve had no attacks since 9-11.  That fact is that we need redundancy, and I support the proposal for an inspector general across all intelligence agencies.” 

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LAUREL – The Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency has awarded a contract for up to $34.5 million to The Johns Hopkins University Applied Physics Laboratory to manage the development and testing of the Modular Prosthetic Limb system on human subjects, using a brain-controlled interface. 

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LAUREL – Voters will decide in November on whether slots will be allowed at Arundel Mills mall, according to a ruling by Maryland’s highest court.  If Anne Arundel voters strike down county-approved plans for the video lottery terminal there, then Penn National Gaming and MI Developments, owners of Laurel Park and Pimlico race courses, plan to push for a license to operate at Laurel Park.

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ANNAPOLIS – The mayor signed into law a bill that creates the Annapolis Economic Development Corp., a public-private entity that aims to improve business growth across the city.  The founding nominees on the group’s board are Midgett Parker (Chair), Chip DiPaula, Reza Jafari and Mike Lofton.  They intend to hire an executive director this fall.

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BALTIMORE – Gov. O’Malley will join industry experts, small businesses and government officials today at the Maryland Dept. of the Environment for a green economy forum where he will release the Green Jobs Task Force Report, a series of six key recommendations for Maryland to increase the number of green jobs and businesses supporting sustainable development and clean energy.

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MARYLAND – Starting this year, the second Sunday of August to the following Saturday are designated as Shop Maryland Week.  Certain apparel and footwear valued at $100 or less are exempt from the state 6% sales tax.

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