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Novavax’s effort to vaccinate the world, from zero to not quite warp speed: ‘This takes time and expertise’

On a sweltering June morning, Novavax CEO and COVID vaccine maker Stanley Erck stood on a stage unmasked and did something that would have been unthinkable six months ago: He shook hands with Maryland’s governor. Erck was with Gov. Larry Hogan to announce Novavax’s global vaccine headquarters ― a Gaithersburg campus expected to house laboratories and more than 800 employees. Hogan called Novavax’s future “bright” and crowed that more than 71% of the state’s adults had received at least one shot.

Read More: Baltimore Sun
Local construction union, business leaders promote high-speed maglev train at Baltimore rally

Baltimore and Washington D.C. construction union members, workers and business leaders gathered downtown Monday afternoon to advocate for the proposed high-speed train from Baltimore to the nation’s capital. More than 50 people listened and cheered as speakers at the rally urged leaders to approve the Northeast Maglev train, which they said would bring thousands of jobs, increase tourism and generate millions in revenue.

Read More: Baltimore Sun
Baltimore County liquor board votes to allow bars and restaurants to serve two alcoholic drinks to-go per meal

The Baltimore County liquor board voted to resume to-go liquor privileges for bars, restaurants and taverns with restrictions of two drinks per meal after a Monday hearing, effective immediately. The policy was approved for at least two years, allowing cocktails for carryout or delivery.

Read More: Baltimore Sun
Downtown Partnership gives five Black-owned businesses a ‘Boost’ with $50K grants

Five fledgling businesses were selected Monday for the first cohort of a program designed to help Black entrepreneurs gain a foothold in the local market. As part of the Downtown Boost program, the businesses will each receive grants of up to $50,000 to assist with opening a brick-and-mortar location downtown.

LifeBridge readies to raze, replace building at Grace Medical Center in West Baltimore

LifeBridge Health is preparing to add a new outpatient services building and community park on the former Bon Secours Baltimore Hospital campus. The West Baltimore medical facility, which was acquired by LifeBridge in late 2019 and renamed Grace Medical Center, has been undergoing a phased major facelift. In January, it welcomed the first patients into its updated 17,000-square-foot emergency department, and shortly after debuted renovated primary and specialty care clinics and a new surgical suite.

Red and white painted barn
These Maryland businesses won funding from TEDCO’s rural tech initatives

TEDCO, Maryland’s state-backed agency that provides early-stage tech funding and support, has kicked off July by with a series of funding awards for startups with a rural focus. Through the Rural Business Innovation Initiative (RBII) and the Agriculture and Rural Rebuild (ARR) Challenge nine ventures received funding. A pair of businesses focused on innovation in the kitchen received $25,000 pre-seed investments from TEDCO through its Rural Business Innovation Initiative.

Read More: Technical.ly
After scaling back due to COVID, Baltimore’s YouthWorks program welcomes some teens back to in-person jobs this summer

After a year and a half of sitting inside and peering at a computer screen, Kamaya Taylor is glad to be outside. Kamaya, who lives in Westport, spent last summer completing a virtual math program. This summer, she’s cleaning streets and planting trees for the Westport Community Economic Development Corp., an organization that aims to improve quality of life in low-income South Baltimore neighborhoods. “I like cleaning up. It’s nice to have a clean community,” Kamaya said.

Read More: Baltimore Sun
Summer restaurant weeks start in Howard County, featuring nearly 40 businesses

The biannual Howard County Restaurant Weeks & Craft Beverages event kicks off Monday, this time featuring more than 10 Asian American Pacific Islander restaurants in a new partnership with the Howard County Asian American Pacific Islander Workgroup. Asian American residents account for 18% of Howard County’s population and nearly 7% of the state population, according to the U.S. Census Bureau. “We are beyond excited and grateful for this new partnership with the AAPI Business and Economic Development Committee,” said Amanda Hof, executive director for Visit Howard County, in a statement.

Multi-state cannabis firm to acquire Dundalk’s Charm City Medicus dispensary

A multi-state cannabis firm has acquired its second dispensary in Maryland, about four months after opening its first cannabis retail operation in Frederick. Goodness Growth Holdings Inc., parent of cannabis firm Vireo Health, announced Friday that its subsidiary has signed a definitive agreement to purchase Dundalk’s Charm City Medicus LLC. The acquirer expects consideration for the deal to total about $8 million, including $4 million in cash, $2 million in Goodness Growth stock and a $2 million promissory note issued to the seller.

Prominent Baltimore developers team up for Hollins-Roundhouse project

Two of Baltimore’s top developers have teamed up to continue efforts to redo the area surrounding historic Hollins Market. Scott Plank and Ernst Valery said Thursday they had formed a partnership to bring at least 12 new townhouses to the community by 2022. Plank’s War Horse Cities and the nonprofit War Horse Cities CDC have teamed up with Valery’s newly-formed Aequo Fund and local management firm Corus Property Intelligence for the project.

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