Arbutus Business and Professional Association

Baltimore County offers a variety of programs to help businesses in the 14 designated commercial revitalization districts, one of which is along the East Drive corridor in Arbutus, extending to Linden and Leeds avenues. Pierce Macgill of the county's Office of Economic Development was the guest speaker at the Arbutus Business and Professional Association's September meeting. According to Macgill, use of one of the services, "Architect-On-Call," seems to be on the increase, with two businesses on East Drive, including the new Rita's and several in the Lansdowne area, working with a county consultant, Rubeling and Associates, based in Towson.

The program allows businesses to receive up to 10 hours of design services, including a digital rendering of the property as it would appear with planned improvements, and a projected estimated cost at no charge. The services are valued at up to $1,200 but are free as long as the owner makes the agreed-upon improvements.

Six other programs are offered that provide low-interest rate loans at a variety of levels, revitalization tax credits for larger projects, and coordinated programs with the State of Maryland for development and start-up costs. The county has a cooperative agreement with several area banks that have agreed to offer discounts on their standard lending rates for businesses in the commercial revitalization districts.

Lori Rogers, also with the economic development office, spoke briefly about the Hollins End project at Halethorpe Farms and Hollins Ferry Roads. Bakery Express is in the process of building a new facility on the site previously occupied by Locust Industries. John Baum, general counsel for Bakery Express, gave an update on the project by phone. Merritt Properties' joint ventured with Bakery Express to build the new facility. Bakery Express will consolidate its Ms. Desserts frozen dessert line with its fresh-baked products in the single, much larger building, which will also include other tenant spaces.

Bakery Express provides fresh doughnuts and pastries to 7-Eleven stores. The move-in is anticipated to be completed by November. A factory store/cafe, open to the public, is planned for the facility, serving soups and salads in addition to baked goods and desserts.

Rogers listed the many businesses that are planning or in the process of moving and expanding, in the Hollins End area, including Federal Express in the Preston Partners building; Service Express, which will add approximated 50 jobs; Diageo, an international company manufacturing and distributing alcoholic beverages (expanding); and Poole and Kent, a mechanical contractor, expanding its Hollins Ferry Road location.

Business owners who would like information about ways in which they can benefit from county programs may contact Macgill at 410-887-2589 or pmacgill@baltimorecountymd.gov.

ABPA members asked about road improvements to the Halethorpe Farms and Hollins Ferry areas. Rogers indicated that this was in the works once most of the heavy construction is completed. Attorney Terry Nolan asked about the availability of consulting services for energy-saving or alternative energy improvements. Macgill stated that at present there are none, and recommended that Nolan contact his County Council representative, Sam Moxley, and make a recommendation.

The association would like to extend its thanks to the following businesses that provided donations for the networking event held on Aug. 19 at BW Tech @ UMBC:Leon Lineburg, Leon's Triple L Restaurant, for gift certificates; Kim Waldt, Chesapeake Bank, for wine; Janet Bruchey, for wine and a gift certificate; Joe and Barbara Ambrose, Ambrose Funeral Home, for financial support, Kevin Gibbons-O'Neill, UMBC Retrievers basketball, for season passes, and in a most original way, Bettina Tebo, Abbey Bail Bonds, for roses made from $2 bills.

We would also like to thank Lisa Akchin, associate vice president for marketing and community Relations at UMBC; Ellen Hemmerly, executive director of the UMBC Research Park Corp. and manager of bwtech @ UMBC Research and Technology Park, and Teal Cary, executive director of the Greater Catonsville Chamber of Commerce, for their efforts in putting this event together. It was a very successful event and one that we would like to continue for many years to come. Members of both the chamber and the ABPA had an opportunity to see the newest building in the Research Park in advance of its anticipated official opening this fall.

Cary reminds ABPA members that the early-bird discount deadline for ad renewal in the business directory is Sept. 30. Members should have received an information packet describing ad sizes and rates. If not, contact Cary at 410-719-9609 or rtcary7@verizon.net.

New Member

The Lunchbox Lady, at 1332 Sulphur Spring Road, is the newest ABPA member. Represented by Connie Nieman, who was kind enough to provide chocolate-covered strawberries for the August mixer at UMBC, the Lunchbox Lady offers box lunches and catering services. On the premises, the business is set up in a charming gift shop featuring a variety of handmade items, along with selected antiques, books, jewelry and more. For additional information, go to www.thelunchboxlady.com.

Coming up

The Wilkens Police Precinct community relations organization will hold a fundraiser Oct. 4 at the Arbutus Town Hall, to benefit the educational needs of officers in the precinct. The theme is "Jailhouse Rock." Tickets are $20, which includes beer and set-ups. Entertainment by the "After-Dinner Spinners" DJ.

A job fair will be held Oct. 7 at the Community College of Baltimore County, Catonsville, 10 a.m.-2 p.m. More than 30 area employers will be represented. Contact Susan Gebren at 410-455-4497 or sgebren@ccbcmd.edu for more intormation.

The ABPA will hold a general membership meeting Oct. 9 at 1 p.m. at Leon's Triple L Restaurant. Stephen Flanders, an ABPA member representing M&T Bank, will be the guest speaker.

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