Business

As the thoroughbred horse racing industry struggles with waning interest and grave economic challenges, its Maryland stakeholders are seeking to chart a path forward amid strong headwinds. But to complete that mission, advocates and legislators will soon need to introduce and pass a bill — and quickly, before the General Assembly session ends next month. Equipped with $400 million in state funds approved by the legislature in 2020 and a new proposal — one that would eventually consolidate racing at Baltimore’s Pimlico Race Course, close Anne Arundel County’s Laurel Park and build a training track elsewhere in the state — the newly formed Maryland Thoroughbred Racetrack Operating Authority hopes this is the year the industry has a feasible plan.

Phillips Foods and Seafood Restaurants Inc. will head north for its latest expansion outside Maryland. The Halethorpe-based company acquired or will soon acquire a facility, several plants and holding tanks in Canada, Phillips announced Friday. The acquisitions will expand the family-owned company’s seafood offerings in its restaurants, like Phillips Seafood at the Inner Harbor, and retail, as well as add to its global portfolio that already includes a presence in Asia.

Usually at weekend markets, the sound of conversations reverberates throughout the room as attendees speak to each other or with vendors about their products. But during the Deaf Artisan Market Day at Olde Mother Brewing on Saturday, instead of using their voices, artisans and attendees mainly communicated through American Sign Language and facial expressions. Dozens of people came out to the market to see the art, talent and products of local small businesses owned by people who are Deaf or hard of hearing.

Mid-Atlantic Sports Network and Comcast reached a carriage deal for the regional sports network to remain on Xfinity’s cable packages, but subscribers will need to pay more to watch Orioles and Nationals games. The agreement, announced Friday, will see MASN and MASN2 elevate from the basic package to the Ultimate TV package. The change will go into effect Tuesday, and Comcast will contact customers by then to communicate the change. For customers who already subscribe to the Ultimate TV package, there will be no change in pricing. For any Popular TV customers who do not want to continue with MASN, there will be a reduced RSN fee each month.

MedStar Union Memorial Hospital opened a new outpatient center on Wednesday to help patients struggling with heart conditions get care without traveling across different floors in a crowded hospital. The MedStar Heart & Vascular Institute combines disciplines like advanced heart failure, vascular surgery and other cardiac specialties in one place. The 10,000-square-foot building at the corner of Calvert Street and E 33rd Street in North Baltimore was once home to the hospital’s counseling center, now located across the street.

Frederick businesses can get help with improvements to their exteriors with the approval of a grant program that will be distributed to three business and community organizations in the city. The city’s aldermen approved the $100,000 grant from the Maryland Department of Housing and Community Development on Thursday.

After two terms of rough negotiations with Maryland’s executive branch, unionized state employees flocked to the State House for the first time in nearly a decade Thursday to watch Gov. Wes Moore and Department of Budget and Management Secretary Helene Grady sign their new contract. “Gone are the days when you have state leadership that works in opposition to labor leadership,” Moore, a Democrat, said to a cheering crowd.