For Baltimore
Partnerships with local organizations. We’ve partnered with business groups, like the Baltimore City Chamber of Commerce and the Greater Baltimore Black Chamber of Commerce, grass roots groups, like National Action Network, the Collective Empowerment Group, and Greater Baltimore Urban League, faith-based groups like National Capital Baptist Convention, and community groups, like Cherry Hill Development Corporation, to provide opportunities for dialogue between the project and communities. These partnerships also serve as the beginning of the pipeline between communities and career and contract opportunities.
Investment in Baltimore. Without using local or state funds, the Northeast Maglev will spur a wave of economic development second to none in Maryland. Costing an estimated $13 billion, it will be the biggest infrastructure initiative in our state’s history. The creation of thousands of construction related careers including union jobs over the estimated seven year construction timeframe and 1,500 permanent positions including operations jobs with hundreds in the city at the station and company headquarters. In fact, the company has already invested in Baltimore, locating its headquarters in the old fire station on Gay street.
Creating employment and business opportunities. Aside from construction related jobs and all of the jobs that support construction efforts, the opportunity for growth due to the extremely fast access to BWI Thurgood Marshall Airport as well as downtown Washington, DC will bring economic opportunities for the city. As the project progresses northward to Philadelphia and New York, this access from Baltimore will invite more businesses to call Baltimore home.
Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion Plan. Baltimore-Washington Rapid Rail announced recently a Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion Plan that has the following goals: at least 40% of the construction workforce to be from minority communities and women; at least 25% of the permanent workforce to be from communities of color and woman; and at least 25% of permanent and construction spends in Maryland to be with certified MBE and WBEs. The project developer continues to work with local unions on developing local apprenticeship programs, and will work closely with local community colleges and others as project construction nears. Close working relationships with local civil rights, community, business, and faith-based organizations will help get the message about training and job opportunities as the project progresses.