Business

CareFirst BlueCross BlueShield, a not-for-profit and the largest health plan in the mid-Atlantic region, announced $7.9 million in investments to 19 community-based organizations in Maryland, Washington and northern Virginia. These multi-year grants will work to address the unprecedented impacts of the COVID-19 pandemic on the mental health of the region’s children, adolescents, and families. With a focus on eliminating barriers in access to services and expanding the number of providers available in the behavioral health workforce, the initiatives stand to collectively impact nearly 25,000 people.

Alicia Wilson, one of the most well-known economic development executives in Baltimore, is moving on to a national role at one of the world’s largest financial institutions. Wilson, the vice president for economic development and community partnerships at Johns Hopkins University and the Johns Hopkins Health System, is leaving the university to become the managing director and head of North American regional philanthropy at JPMorgan Chase & Co. Wilson is hoping that she can create a nationwide impact when she joins the firm in January.

Developer Scott Plank sold the popular Belvedere Square market this week to a Bethesda firm. The North Baltimore landmark was acquired by The Premier Cos. in a deal that closed on Tuesday after talks began this past summer, said Steve Jennings, president of War Horse Cities, Plank’s development firm based in Locust Point. The sales price for the 101,318-square-foot complex was undisclosed. “We love the property. It’s a Baltimore institution,” said Jonathan Cutler, president of The Premier Cos., in an interview late Tuesday. “We haven’t ventured much into Baltimore. It’s a different market than D.C. but this felt like a really good first purchase opportunity.”

JPMorgan Chase has opened one of its few community center-format branches at Mondawmin Mall in West Baltimore and announced Wednesday that the third installment in a $20 million commitment to the city will benefit small businesses. The bank’s community center branch, the first of its kind in Baltimore and one of 14 nationally, will offer mentorship for entrepreneurs, financial health workshops and Wi-Fi for remote learning and work. All programs and services are free and offered to customers and non-customers. JPMorgan Chase said the format is part of a $30 billion effort to help close the racial wealth gap.

The attorney appointed to represent Orioles owner Peter Angelos in his family’s fight over his fortune has rejected a move to disqualify him from the case, calling allegations that he has conflicts of interest “absurd” and a “distraction.” Angelos, 93, has been incapacitated by illness for several years, and his younger son Louis sued his mother, Georgia, and brother, John, the chairman and CEO of the Orioles, in June over control of the team, the family patriarch’s renowned law firm and other assets. Georgia Angelos subsequently sued Louis Angelos, likening his transfer of the law firm from his father to himself to elder abuse.

A week after writing off an additional $1 billion of its value, the Sinclair Broadcast Group subsidiary that owns regional sports networks appointed a new CEO. The subsidiary, Diamond Sports Group, said Monday that former NBC Sports Group executive David Preschlack will lead Diamond, which owns Bally Sports Regional Sports Networks. Preschlack was appointed by Diamond’s board of managers, on which he has served since May.

Hertz said Monday it will pay $168 million to settle hundreds of claims by customers who were falsely reported by the rental car company as having stolen its vehicles, with some innocent renters arrested and jailed for weeks or months over the reports. Hertz said in a brief statement that it was settling 364 claims, which it said amounted to 95 percent of the outstanding claims against the company over the false theft reports.

Three years ago, the last time Mike Elias found himself in San Diego for the winter meetings, the circumstances were far different. Back then, the executive vice president and general manager of the Orioles entered his second offseason in Baltimore on the back of another 100-loss season, with competitive baseball — and the spending that accompanies it — not at the forefront of his mind.

McCormick & Co. Inc. has promoted a longtime executive to become the next head of human resources for the 14,000-person global company. The Hunt Valley-based spicemaker announced Monday that Sarah Piper took over the role of chief human relations officer on Dec. 1. As part of the promotion, she will also join the company’s management committee. Piper replaces Lisa Manzone, who announced her retirement last month after 15 years with McCormick (NYSE: MKC).