I'm glad to be here tonight, and pleased that we have the opportunity to honor one of the most dynamic and successful businesses in Baltimore County, Firaxis Games.
The growth of Firaxis Games, and the computer game industry is a testament to the talent and spirit of the people of Baltimore County. Ensuring the continued success of our business community is key to the Renaissance of Baltimore County.
A Renaissance, by the way, that does not include slots at Timonium. Slots at Timonium don't make sense for Baltimore County and slots at Timonium don't make sense for Maryland.
When we talk about the Renaissance of Baltimore County, we are talking about renewal. A revival of the things that make our community strong, and a promise to continue making it stronger. Renaissance means that Baltimore County Government works everyday. That we work everyday to preserve the virtues of our past in order to secure the promise of our future.
The Road to Renaissance is clearly marked. Think Back, Look Forward, Act Now! These are our signposts on the Road to Renaissance -- our signposts to prosperity. Think Back, Look Forward, Act Now!
We must Think Back, and appreciate the Baltimore County way of respecting the heritage of each community, of providing jobs that support families, and our history of providing safe neighborhoods and strong schools.
We must Look Forward and identify the opportunities and challenges that come with growth. We must ensure that the needs of our growing communities are met, while we renew the promise to strengthen our established neighborhoods and local business districts.
We must Act Now 1) by encouraging new industry and by supporting existing businesses in order to keep our economy vibrant. 2) By continuing our commitment to education, so we can inspire young minds and build the workforce of tomorrow. 3) By committing to the Renaissance of our older neighborhoods, so we can preserve these communities, keep young families from abandoning older neighborhoods, and reduce the pressures of development on our agricultural land and open spaces.
Government is just one part of the Renaissance of Baltimore County. To succeed, it will require community organizations, businesses, charities, and the effort of individual citizens. We all have to work together, and we can. We have done it before.
Four weeks ago, the normal routine of Baltimore County was upset by the worst hurricane in two centuries. The wind and water of Tropical Storm Isabel knocked down power lines, flooded businesses and destroyed homes across Baltimore County.
And we acted. Even before the waters fully receded, County employees and citizens were out in force. Firefighters and Emergency Service personnel rescued hundreds of citizens from rooftops and stranded cars. Along with the Red Cross and the Salvation Army, we set up shelters for the many who had no other place to stay.
Isabel was a disaster where homes were abandoned, but our citizens and police officers lived up to their high standards, and there was no looting.
Right away, we assembled a Green Light Team, headed by Lieutenant Richard Muth and George Shoenberger, to cut through red tape and provide assistance so businesses and families could get immediate attention. With the Department of Economic Development taking the lead, we called one hundred businesses to offer our help. From the Disaster Recovery Center, the Department of Permits issued four hundred building permits in just three days. In less than five days, Public Works cleared two thousand downed trees and reopened 225 roads, and in two weeks had removed from the curbside almost nine thousand tons of debris.
Social Services and community conservation provided 1,400 people with emergency lodging. We distributed 300,000 pounds of food, and issued emergency grants for the hardest hit. Through it all, the work of church groups, community organizations, the Essex/Middle River/Whitemarsh Chamber of Commerce and local businesses was crucial.
Our collective response to the storm exemplifies the spirit of the Renaissance of Baltimore County. Businesses, citizens, churches, community groups and government, each doing our part, working together and making a difference.
Just as we are working to rebuild in the wake of Isabel, Baltimore County is working to build our future.
Our road to renaissance is built on three very basic principles. First, well, in Baltimore County, Families Come First. We've placed education at the forefront of our efforts. Rather than wait for action from the state, we are committed to forward funding for school construction, which will relieve overcrowding and provide a healthy environment for teaching and learning.
Through the Executive's Board for Higher Education and the Chamber's advisory group on education, leaders in business, labor and education are working together to ensure that the next generation is prepared for the new economy of the 21st century.
Second, we are safeguarding our communities, not only from crime but also from sprawl and decay. We've opened a new police precinct in Parkville and the Whitemarsh Precinct now has only Whitemarsh to Patrol. Three more stations and substations - in Pikesville, Randallstown and Reisterstown- are on the way. We are working to provide top-notch infrastructure to growing communities so that they do not become victims of their own success.
But importantly, we are focusing our attention on our beltway communities so that they can continue to prosper and relieve the stress of growth in newer neighborhoods. We are acting now to introduce Renaissance Redevelopment Regulations that encourage the growth of mixed-use, livable neighborhoods in our beltway communities and business districts.
The third principle is easy to describe, simply stated it is that Baltimore County Works. It is the synergy between an efficient government and productive businesses. It is the cornerstone of our renaissance, and it is here in this room tonight. Our economy- and the businesses that drive it- will be the key to our success.
There is exciting work being done in Baltimore County. New software, new technology, new research and bright, energetic people that will someday launch new business. Those businesses need a government that is responsive to the concerns of its citizens, a government that is transparent and open, a government that spends responsibly in good times so that it can remain efficient in the lean years.
Most of all, business needs a government that understands what it takes for business to grow, and that is willing to work for that growth. Baltimore County is that government. Baltimore County Works.
Right here in Baltimore County, we have one of the most productive research institutions in the world, the University of Maryland Baltimore County. Nearly 3,000 UMBC students are studying information technology. The University received $85.5 million in research and training grants and contracts last year.
That research, and those students, are tomorrow's business. We want to help new technology reach it's commercial potential, and we want to keep these new industries and commercial enterprises in Baltimore County. To do that, Baltimore County has made it a priority to seek expansion of the Southwest Enterprise Zone to include the research park at UMBC. We've committed 2.3 million dollars to research park infrastructure, and we've made loans available to attract business, and to ensure that the industry spawned by university research stays in Baltimore County.
On the east side, County Government is dedicated to the expansion of Route 43. With the completion of the Route 43 project, 600 acres of industrial land will be available for manufacturing and commerce, complete with access to I-95, Martin State Airport and the Port of Baltimore. This will be an area devoted to the growth of real industry. We project as many as 15,000 new high-quality jobs for Baltimore County. The Renaissance Economy will not be driven by the cut-rate fuel of low-wage jobs.
As we seek out new business and encourage new development, we will not forget our existing commercial centers and established businesses. With the support of the county council, we have increased the number of commercial revitalization districts to 13. Through our Commercial revitalization program, we've helped 200 businesses invest more than $145 million in these 13 established districts.
We've leveraged small business loans, we've offered tax credits, and as we speak our Renaissance Urban Design Assistance Teams are offering architectural and technical assistance in our Renaissance areas on Liberty Road and in Essex/Middle River. We are acting, and we are succeeding.
When crumbling shopping centers are rebuilt, when an abandon department store is reopened as Towson Circle, even in the small act of turning an abandoned gas station into a neighborhood coffee shop, we see the Renaissance of Baltimore County come to life. As our economy grows and our neighborhoods are reborn the spirit of Baltimore County is reenergized.
I am committed to this Renaissance. This Baltimore County Government is Thinking Back, Looking Forward and Acting Now. This Baltimore County Government Works.
I have enjoyed addressing my first Business Hall of Fame dinner, and I am proud to be here when the Chamber of Commerce honors two true Renaissance men, Dr. Freeman Hrabowski of UMBC and Clark McKenzie of McKenzie Companies. They have both dedicated themselves to improving the quality of life in Baltimore County, and I am honored to call them friends.
There is another reason I am particularly excited about the program tonight. Baltimore County has the opportunity this evening to honor a company that shares our commitment and our Renaissance vision. Tonight, we are giving our first "New Directions" Award. An award the county created to honor companies that understand what it will take to launch the next generation of success stories.
Entrepreneurship, Creative Thinking, and Teamwork. Companies that have an understanding of how new technologies change the way we do business. Companies that are part of our business community, but who look for ways to contribute to our entire community. Firaxis Games embodies the ideals of this award.
Firaxis is a leader in the game development industry and has helped Baltimore County become a center for interactive software development, a $10 billion industry employing 600 people in Baltimore County. As a corporate citizen, Firaxis founded the Business Impact Fund, helping small businesses donate volunteers and resources to community causes. And representatives from Firaxis are working with our school system and our colleges to nurture the creative minds that are Baltimore County's Future.
The Company's founders, Sid Meier and Jeffery Briggs are here to accept this award tonight. Mister Meier is a member of the Academy of Interactive Arts and Sciences Hall of Fame.
Mister Briggs was named 2003 Ernst and Young Maryland Entrepreneur of the Year for software development. The design of the New Directions award, a globe, is meant to represent one of Firaxis most successful games, Civilization, - which is not only entertaining but is used as an educational tool at schools around the world.
The company they built embodies the ideals of the Baltimore County Renaissance, and it is an honor to present to Firaxis Games our first New Directions Award.
Revised October 27, 2003
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