Business

An Annapolis business owner said the parent company of Old Bay seasoning should quit being so crabby and learn to appreciate a compliment — or at least take a joke. In almost any kitchen pantry or spice rack in Maryland, one is likely to find a container of Old Bay seasoning. Just look for the distinctive yellow and blue color scheme with the red top.

Another contract awarded by the Maryland Aviation Administration is drawing criticism and unwanted attention. Last month, a high-ranking state lawmaker requested that the Office of Legislative Audits look into whether a lucrative contract to operate two gas stations and convenience stores near BWI Thurgood Marshall Airport was awarded properly.

The Maryland Lottery and Gaming Control Agency reported that more than $442 million was wagered on sports betting in September. Nearly 95% of that money wagered in sports betting was done through mobile apps. The rest occurred at sports betting parlors. Maryland will receive $3.2 million as its share in the $442 million sum. According to industry analysts, football season generates the most bets. Although most of the wagering was on football, 13% of the September bets were placed on baseball.

Frederick’s participation in a national program will help young residents gain an important foothold in the job market, Mayor Michael O’Connor said Tuesday. The Good Jobs, Great Cities Academy program works with 16 cities around the country to develop new and effective ways to create jobs that increase or redevelop workers’ skills. The goal is to help them get jobs in infrastructure, clean energy, and advanced manufacturing jobs, according to the program’s website.

American CEOs are far more optimistic about office returns than they were just a year ago, and many also plan to reward employees for coming back. Those are two of the top takeaways from the 2023 U.S. CEO Outlook survey by corporate-services firm KPMG, which found 62% of respondents believe corporate employees whose roles used to be based in the office would again be working in the office in the next three years — a huge jump from the 34% who believed that in 2022.

The University of Maryland, College Park is launching a new program in which an A+ could come with more than credits, it could mean founding a startup with up to $2 million in investment. xFoundry@UMD program is a 15-month business development curriculum for students that was inspired by the million-dollar tech innovation challenges sponsored by the nonprofit XPRIZE Foundation.

A new grocery store will replace the former Giant Food in Crofton Station after the Maryland grocer moved to a neighboring shopping center. The Fresh Market signed a lease for a vacant space at 1161 MD Route 3 in Gambrills’ Crofton Station development, with hopes of opening by the end of 2024, said Dimitri Georgelakos, a principal at KLNB, who brokered the deal for the grocery chain along with Michael Patz.

At a time when banks’ lending standards are tightening, loans backed by the U.S. Small Business Administration are proving to be a critical lifeline for small businesses across Greater Washington. In fiscal year 2023, which ended Sept. 30, lenders issued 742 loans backed by the SBA’s 7(a) program, up 27% from the previous fiscal year, according to newly released data. In the same period, the total dollar value of those loans climbed 13% to $297 million.