Arbutus Business

Spreading the word about the variety of programs Baltimore County offers to help businesses in the county's 14 designated commercial revitalization districts was among the topics of last week's meeting of the Arbutus Business and Professional Association.

Peirce Macgill of the county's Office of Economic Development noted that businesses along the East Drive corridor in Arbutus and on Linden and Leeds avenues are eligible to take advantage of services such as Architect-On-Call.

The opportunity to work with an architect from the Towson-based firm of Rubeling and Associates was recently accepted by two businesses on East Drive, including the new Rita's, and several in the Lansdowne area. 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, with a value of up to $1,200, are free so long as the owner makes the agreed-upon improvements.

Other programs offered by the county 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 to offer discounts to their standard lending rates for businesses located within the Commercial Revitalization Districts.

Terry Nolan (Law Offices of Terrance Nolan) asked about the availability of consulting services for energy saving or alternative energy improvements.

Macgill responded that while there are none at present, he recommended that Nolan contact Councilman Sam Moxley.

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 me an update over the phone on the joint venture between Merritt Properties and Bakery Express. Bakery Express will consolidate its frozen dessert line, Ms. Desserts, with its fresh-baked products in a single, much larger building which will also include other tenant spaces.

Bakery Express provides fresh doughnuts and pastries to 7-Eleven stores.

The Bakery Express move-in is anticipated to be completed by November 2008.

A "factory store" and café open to the public that will serve soups and salads in addition to baked goods and desserts is planned for the facility.

Among the businesses Rogers listed that are planning or in the process of moving and expanding in the Hollins End area are:

* Federal Express in the Preston Partners building;

* Service Express, which will add approximated 50 new jobs;

* Diageo, an international company manufacturing and distributing alcoholic beverages;

* Poole and Kent, a mechanical contractor.

Rogers also said road improvements to the Halethorpe Farms and Hollins Ferry areas are in the works for when most of the heavy construction is completed.

Business owners who want additional information about how they can benefit from the county's programs should contact Macgill at 410-887-2589 or pmacgill@baltimorecountymd.gov.

The Arbutus Business and Professional Association extends its thanks to the following businesses who provided donations for the August 19 networking event with the Greater Catonsville Chamber of Commerce at BWTech@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 basketball for season passes;

* Bettina Tebo of Abbey Bail Bonds for roses made from $2 bills.

The group also thanked Lisa Akchin, UMBC associate vice president for marketing and community relations; 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 very successful event together.

The event gave members of both groups the opportunity to see the newest building in the research park before its official opening this fall.

Teal Cary (Cary Creative Design) reminds ABPA members that the early-bird discount deadline for ad renewal in the business directory is September 30. Members should have received a packet on ad sizes and rates. Contact her at 410-719-9609 or rtcary7@verizon.net.

George Kendrick, coordinator of Arbutus' annual Independence Day parade and celebration, reported that this year's event was a community, as well as financial, success.

The Fourth of July Committee of the Arbutus Recreation and Parks Council will start the 2009 year in the black. Kendrick thanked the members and others in the community for their support.

State Sen. Ed Kasemeyer gave members a brief overview of the state's budget projections in light of continued revenue shortfalls.

He answered several questions about the slots referendum and what programs would benefit should slots be approved.

Education would be the primary beneficiary, receiving approximately 60 percent of the monies generated while the state's horse-racing industry and health-care programs would also receive support.

The gaming industry would receive one of the lowest percentages of the receipts in the nation, according to Kasemeyer, keeping 30 percent of gross revenues.

Welcome new members

The Lunchbox Lady at 1332 Sulphur Spring Road is the newest ABPA member. The store's Connie Nieman was kind enough to provide chocolate covered strawberries for the August mixer at UMBC.

The Lunchbox Lady offers box lunches, catering services and a charming gift shop featuring handmade items, selected antiques, books, jewelry and more are on the premises.

For information, go to www.thelunchboxlady.com.

Calendar of events

Oct. 4: The Wilkens Police-Community Relations Organization will hold a fundraiser at the Arbutus Town Hall to benefit the educational needs of officers at Precinct One. The theme is "Jailhouse Rock." Tickets available for $20, which includes beer and setups. Entertainment provided by DJ from the "After-Dinner Spinners".

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

Oct. 9: The ABPA will hold a general membership meeting at 1 p.m. at Leon's Triple L Restaurant, 5309 East Drive. Stephen Flanders, an ABPA member representing M&T Bank, will be the guest speaker.

Nov. 13: The ABPA will meet at 1 p.m. at the Fish Head Cantina, 4802 Benson Avenue. Members and guests will return later in the day for the Most Fun Networking event.

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