Archive for February, 2010

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.

See full release.

ORLANDO – AirTran Airways will begin daily nonstop service between BWI airport and San Antonio starting May 27.

See full release.

ANNAPOLIS – Biodefense company PharmAthene has received up to $78.4 million in additional funding from the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, provided that certain milestones are achieved.  The award will support the continued advanced development of SparVax, a second generation recombinant protective antigen anthrax vaccine targeted for future procurement in the U.S. Strategic National Stockpile.  You can thank me later for stripping out the inscrutable acronyms in this one.

See full release.

ANNAPOLIS – Wireless telecom provider TeleCommunication Systems has introduced the SwiftLink 2810 Executive Communications Rucksack Package. This latest addition to the SwiftLink product line of baseband kits integrates IP routers and crypto units EoIP (Everything-Over-IP) with support for converged voice, video and data applications.  It is designed for first-in and emergency responders, small tactical teams, as well as the remote-use requirements of the US Customs and Border Patrol.

See full release.

MILLERSVILLE – For the 5^th time in seven years Light Industries has achieved President’s Circle Business Partner Status with Sage North America.  Light Industries specializes in sales, installation and support of SalesLogix and Sage CRM software.

See Web site.

FOREST HILL – The developers, stewards, and incubators of 138 Open Source projects collectively known as the Apache Software Foundation announced the 15th anniversary of the Apache HTTP Web Server.  ASF’s first project became the world’s most popular Web server software within the first six months of its inception and today powers nearly 112 million Web sites.

See full release.

COLUMBIA – Technology from cybersecurity firm Sourcefire achieved a “Recommend” rating in the latest Network Intrusion Prevention System (IPS) Comparative Test Report from NSS Labs, Inc.  The 3D4500 Sensor is part of the Sourcefire 3D System intrusion prevention product line.

See full release.