- Upgrades to ease congestion near hospitals and Towson University

Baltimore County Executive Kevin Kamenetz announced that the County is moving forward with improvements to the intersection of Towsontown Boulevard and Osler Drive just north of Towson University. Following discussions with the university and three nearby medical institutions, the County has initiated a project to improve traffic flow and enhance pedestrian and driving safety with an upgraded signal, additional sidewalks and a 16-foot road widening, which will permit a double left-turn lane on to Osler Drive.

“We appreciate the collaboration of these thriving Towson institutions as we all work together to bring a new vibrancy to downtown Towson,” said Kamenetz. “This roadway improvement helps provide for the significant growth that continues in Towson.”

The first phase of construction was completed today, including widening Towsontown Boulevard and installing sidewalks west of Osler Drive. In early 2017, the Department of Public Works will install a new sanitary sewer line in Towsontown Boulevard in the vicinity of Osler Drive. This construction is expected to take approximately three months to complete.

At the end of the school year, the next phase of the roadway widening project will start in May and run through August, with the installation of retaining walls on the north side of Towsontown Boulevard east and west of Osler Drive, followed by the 16-foot roadway widening.

The roadway improvements are a partnership between Baltimore County and Towson University, along with its neighboring medical institutions – Greater Baltimore Medical Center, Sheppard Pratt Health System and University of Maryland St. Joseph Medical Center. The County will contribute $1.7 million, which is 75% of the $2.3 million estimated cost, with the remaining cost to be shared between the university and the three hospitals. 

$1 million grant to CCBC will provide educational programming, employment services

Jobs are out there for young adults who have left school. But some young people have not yet mastered the work values that make them job ready.   

Comprehensive educational programming and employment services will be expanded to Baltimore County young adults through $1 million in federal funds awarded by the Baltimore County Department of Economic and Workforce Development to the Community College of Baltimore County (CCBC). 

“Too many employers tell us they are actively looking for workers, but often find some young adults need additional training and mentoring in order to be successful in the workplace. This substantial grant to CCBC engages one of our best educational resources to help young adults bridge the gaps and move forward with their careers,” said Baltimore County Executive Kevin Kamenetz.        

Candidates ages 17 to 24 who are out of school will have the opportunity to participate in a  bridge program where they will explore and learn about work values, social and life barriers, industry and careers, financial literacy, conflict and anger management, problem solving, time management, job readiness and successful study skills. Eligible participants will also engage in creating individualized life plans, which may include earning a Maryland high school diploma or a continuing education workforce credential, taking credit classes and/or obtaining employment. Case managers, mentors and coaches will provide guidance throughout the program. 

"We are extremely excited about this new initiative that will make a positive difference in young people’s lives,” remarked CCBC President Sandra Kurtinitis. “At CCBC, we can provide these students with a whole-learning experience that will give them greater confidence in making educational, career and life choices.”

“For many years, CCBC has been a workforce engine, including innovations in our K-12 system with early college and dual enrollment,” said Will Anderson, Director of Economic and Workforce Development. “We are confident that the youth CCBC will serve will not only reach their program goals, but will benefit from exposure to college and life-long learning.”

Baltimore County awarded the $1 million grant to CCBC through a competitive selection process. 

County wide orientation sessions will introduce candidates to CCBC and the college’s resources and provide an overview of new workforce programing. Program orientations begin October 18.

For more information about orientation sessions and program enrollment, contact the Community College of Baltimore County at yog@ccbcmd.edu or call 443-840-5671.  

 By Bryan Dunn, Department of Economic & Workforce Development

Homelessness can start with losing a job or learning that a family member has a serious illness, then finding that the cost and complexity of everyday life is snowballing out of control.

Meet Jennifer. We’re not using her real name to protect her privacy.  

Jennifer was let go from her job and fell into homelessness. She knows what working hard is all about. She has extensive food service experience, including staff supervision. But it was tough to know how to compete in today’s market. Living in a shelter in Reisterstown, Jennifer felt locked out from the world of work.  

Jennifer was a resident of Sarah's Hope at the Hannah More Emergency Shelter when she met staff from Saint Vincent de Paul and Anthony Smith from Baltimore County’s American Job Center. Working together, they helped unlock Jennifer’s career.   

As part of the County’s strategy to prevent and reduce homelessness, Job Center staff regularly take a mobile career unit to the county’s three largest homeless shelters, bringing services directly to people who need help getting back into the workforce. 

When Baltimore County’s mobile career services came to Sarah's Hope, Jennifer was ready to get to work. Anthony helped Jennifer develop her résumé and post her profile on the Maryland Workforce Exchange, a statewide database of job opportunities. Anthony coached her on how to search and apply for food services positions that matched her experience and skills. Staff at the Liberty Job Center in Randallstown also pitched in with services.  

The hard work payed off. Jennifer was offered a position at Johns Hopkins Hospital. 

Jennifer restarted her career and Baltimore County is beaming with pride to be a small part of her success. 

There’s nothing like hearing the words “You’re hired, Jennifer.” 

Do you or someone you know need a job? 

Baltimore County’s American Job Centers in Hunt Valley, Randallstown and Eastpoint provide free career consultation and development resources and services, career placement assistance and career training. 

 CVS Pharmacy has opened at the center of downtown at Towson Commons, on the corner of York Road and Chesapeake Avenue. The more than 9,000 square foot store includes a full service pharmacy and a wide range of high quality health, beauty and personal care products.

Chipotle Mexican Grill also has announced it will be opening a new location at Towson Commons.

“Downtown Towson has many amenities – shopping, restaurants, entertainment and parks. But for those who live, work and visit here, what’s missing has been the convenience of a pharmacy and drug store,” said Baltimore County Executive Kevin Kamenetz. “CVS fills that need at Towson Commons. This is a prime retail location with a growing customer base. Over 3,000 new apartments and townhomes are built or under construction in downtown Towson.”

CVS and Chipotle Mexican Grill join Boho Nation and a two-story LA Fitness in Towson Commons. 

Retail-focused brokerage firm MFI Realty is the leasing agent for the 115,000 square feet of retail space at Towson Commons. 

Over $1 billion in recent private investment 

Downtown Towson has seen more than $1 billion in recent private investment, including more than 3,000 apartments and townhomes that have been built or are under construction. New residential projects include The Flats at 703, Towson Mews, The Winthrop, Southerly Square, The Palisades, Promenade and Towson Green, plus residential towers in the 1 million square foot mixed-use Towson Row development currently under construction. 

More than 55,000 people live in greater Towson, with over 48,000 people working at companies including GBMC, General Dynamics, Goucher College, MileOne, Sheppard Pratt, Stanley Black & Decker, Towson University, University of Maryland St. Joseph Medical Center and Whiting Turner.