Business

Tenable co-founders Ron and Cyndi Gula's charitable foundation gave out $1 million in grants to nonprofits that focus on boosting cybersecurity expertise on company boards of directors. The Women Business Collaborative won the $350,000 first prize out of seven finalists. The other three winners of the June 2022 round of funding included the GRF Foundation and the National Cybersecurity Society, which each won $250,000. The third-place winner, the Center for Cybersecurity and Privacy Protection at Cleveland State University, won $150,000.

A new report has found that Maryland has had the highest tech workforce growth since May 2021 and is tied for the lowest gender gap in technology jobs. The report from the Technology Councils of North America was greeted with enthusiasm by Baltimore and Maryland civic and business leaders who are seeking to ramp up development in the tech industry, an effort made difficult by the fact that some 20,000 technology jobs in the area are open. Still, leaders in the region say, the report is evidence that companies are beginning to realize the potential of Baltimore and are willing to move their businesses to the area.

Maryland’s real estate market is following nationwide housing trends, with prices continuing to grow even as inventory also increases. The past several months have seen an increase in real estate inventory throughout the United States, after falling to a four-decade low during the pandemic, according to reporting in Fortune Magazine. In Maryland, the amount of inventory has been rising since hitting a low of 5,217 active units in February, per data provided by Maryland Realtors, an association representing the state’s real estate agents. According to the organization’s May 2022 data, that number has since increased to 7,706, though it is still down about 35% from this time last year. 

The Frederick County Chamber of Commerce does not know with certainty how many of its members represent minority-owned businesses, according to chamber President/CEO Rick Weldon. A new committee within the chamber seeks to find that out. The tentatively titled Economic Inclusion Alliance will be chaired by local business owner Jarad Bowens, who operates Benefactor Events. "We're just really out to try and address inclusion, access and representation within the chamber membership itself," Bowens said of the committee in an interview.

CareFirst BlueCross BlueShield, the largest not-for-profit health plan in the mid-Atlantic region, Monday announced a grant investment of up to $2.2 million to 16 small businesses and diverse nonprofits in Maryland, Washington and Northern Virginia collectively serving more than 30,000 people. These grants will provide resources and guidance to address obstacles that negatively impact company growth, scalability and long-term sustainability. The investments build on CareFirst’s commitment to addressing economic inclusion needs to improve social support, minimize barriers to accessing care and social services and address essential environmental conditions that shape the health of its communities.

Celebrating a launch said to be coming in the next few weeks, Baltimore Banner founder Stewart W. Bainum Jr. last night addressed a gathering in the nonprofit publication’s newsroom that included its growing staff. The organization has so far hired 63 people – including 42 on the editorial side – the hotel magnate and philanthropist said, speaking to guests at a cocktail reception held at its offices at the Inner Harbor.