Maryland real estate

The Maryland Department of Commerce has partnered with REsimplifi to expand the state’s site selection portal from 450 active properties to more than 3,100 properties — a nearly seven-fold increase. Hosted through ZoomProspector, the updated platform is a critical tool in providing commercial real estate property data for site selectors and economic development professionals who are interested in doing business in Maryland.

One of the benefits to this expanded database is the increased number of sites targeted toward small businesses, a statement from the Department of Commerce said. With more than 2,000 new sites imported into the platform, there are a variety of new specifications that can be used as search filters — including properties under 20,000 square-feet and buildings suited for retail.

In addition to these new specs, the platform also allows users to explore communities by economic data including labor force availability, occupational wages, demographics, educational attainment, and more.

Port of Baltimore

Governor Wes Moore on Sept. 27 announced that the Helen Delich Bentley Port of Baltimore has achieved a new cargo volume record at its state-owned public marine terminals, handling 11.6 million tons of general cargo during the 2023 fiscal year. The milestone surpasses the previous record of 11 million tons set during fiscal year 2019 – the year before the international maritime industry experienced worldwide pandemic-related impacts.
While the general cargo record was achieved in the fiscal year that ended June 30, the port continues to show strong performance across several categories and key commodities. So far this calendar year, when compared to record 2022 performances, roll on/roll off farm and construction machinery coming through the port is up 28%, container volumes are up 7%, and general cargo is up 5%.

UMES Small Farm Conference

Sharing strategies to increase farm profitability and promote sustainability has been at the forefront of UMES Extension’s Small Farm Conference over the past two decades. Agricultural producers in the Mid-Atlantic can network for practical know-how and gain valuable research-based knowledge at the event’s 20th edition, Nov. 2-4.

The Thursday pre-conference, consisting of workshops on preventive animal health and fruit tree propagation, is free to one-day or two-day conference registrants. After a luncheon keynoted by farmers and chefs, Matthew and Tia Raiford of Gilliard Farms and Strong Roots, conference attendees can choose one of three bus tours that afternoon to agricultural locations, including BayBees Honey LLC, Layton’s Chance Vineyard, and Tallawah and Wood Duck Landing farms.

All three days feature networking opportunities and agricultural vendor exhibits.

Early-bird pricing before Oct. 6, is $60, with admission at $80 from Oct. 7-27. Single-day registration for Friday or Saturday is $40. To register, visit www.umes.edu/extension/events. If you are in need of any special accommodations, contact ada@umes.edu. For more information, contact smallfarms@umes.edu, or call 410-621-5450, Ext. 101.

Women’s Entrepreneurship Week

There will be a free Women’s Networking Luncheon & Watch party on Oct. 18, beginning at 11:30 a.m. Women’s Entrepreneurship Week is dedicated to recognizing and celebrating female entrepreneurs around the globe.

This year’s celebration at Montclair State University will be aired after a networking luncheon at the watch party, hosted at Salisbury University’s Dave and Patsy Rommel Center for Entrepreneurship. Attendees must register in advance by Oct. 13 at marylandcapital.org. Lunch will be provided at no cost.

Dave and Patsy Rommel Center for Entrepreneurship is at 212 W. Main St. Suite 205 in Salisbury.