Business

Development giant Trammell Crow Co. has gained site plan approval for a trio of new life science buildings on Johns Hopkins’ Belward Campus in Rockville, bringing that erstwhile farm a step closer to what could wind up becoming a considerable amount of new development. “Life sciences and biotherapeutics is one of the most explosive industries, and it needs growth,” Eric Fischer, a Trammell Crow managing director, told the Montgomery County Planning Board at a public hearing March 30.

Shawna Stepp-Jones was living in Atlanta seven years ago when she first noticed the need for a quick, non-damaging hair dryer for wigs and extensions. “I had to travel 40 minutes to drop off my bundles of Arjuni Cambodian hair to my stylist so that she could bleach them blonde. I was told to return the next day so that the bundles could air dry overnight before installation,” she said. Stepp-Jones also thought her stylist’s technique of using overhead and handheld dryers was inefficient. “At that point, I decided I would build a solution,” she added.

As a bus full of children arrived to the National Great Blacks in Wax Museum in East Baltimore for a field trip, several politicians stood outside at a press conference meant to provide hope for the institution’s future. “Dreams grow, and when they are nurtured and watered, they grow into great things like the Great Blacks in Wax Museum,” which was founded by Dr. Elmer and Joanne Martin, said Maryland Rep. Kweisi Mfume.

When a stubborn pain in Nick van Terheyden’s bones would not subside, his doctor had a hunch what was wrong. Without enough vitamin D in the blood, the body will pull that vital nutrient from the bones. Left untreated, a vitamin D deficiency can lead to osteoporosis. A blood test in the fall of 2021 confirmed the doctor’s diagnosis, and van Terheyden expected his company’s insurance plan, managed by Cigna, to cover the cost of the bloodwork. Instead, Cigna sent van Terheyden a letter explaining that it would not pay for the $350 test because it was not “medically necessary.”

John Waters — the beloved Baltimore director best known for the movies “Hairspray” and “Pink Flamingos” — almost won a Baltimore Business Journal Family-Owned Business Award this year. If it wasn’t for that decision he made decades ago to not go into the business started by his grandfather, he would have scooped up an award that surely rivals any Grammy or Oscar. (OK, I’m biased.)

Years ago, Matt Thrasher and Paul Tinney, the co-owners of Rockwell Brewery, were just neighbors who would crack open a cold one on occasion. Then, they got into home brewing. Next thing they knew, they opened Rockwell Brewery on North East Drive in downtown Frederick in 2017. Now, they’re about to expand to a second location of Rockwell Brewery the first weekend of May, significantly boosting their operation.

As president and CEO of the Baltimore County Chamber of Commerce, Brent Howard works with more than 450 member companies and a 23-member Board of Directors to promote, grow and sustain a diverse and healthy business community that will enrich the quality of life and enhance prosperity in the Baltimore region. Brent is also president of the Small Business Resource Center, where he works with its two business counselors to aid clients in establishing or growing their businesses in Baltimore County. The resource center is funded with a grant from the Baltimore County Department of Economic Development.