$20M to Md. rail projects

U.S. Senators Ben Cardin and Chris Van Hollen, Congressman Kweisi Mfume and Governor Wes Moore (all D-Md.), on Oct. 2 announced $20,384,317 in U.S. Department of Transportation funding for rail infrastructure projects in Maryland to strengthen the Maryland Area Rail Commuter (MARC) network with a Penn-Camden lines connection and to replace diesel-electric locomotives with clean, battery-electric locomotives at the Port of Baltimore.

The program’s grant awards include the following projects:

Port of Baltimore, $11,584,317: To replace three older, non-regulated emission diesel-electric switching locomotives with three new battery electric locomotives and install one battery charger, establishing the first ever zero-exhaust emissions locomotives at an east coast port. CSX, one of the Class I railroads serving the Port is contributing a 50 percent project match.

Penn-Camden Connector, $8,800,000: To advance planning for a new rail connection between the MARC Penn Line, on Amtrak’s Northeast Corridor, and the MARC Camden Line, on CSX Transportation’s (CSX) Capital Subdivision, providing more efficient maintenance and the potential for additional trains to service Camden Yards and M&T Bank Stadium during events.

Minority Business Fair

Small business owners and entrepreneurs are invited to attend the Talbot County Minority Business Resource Fair on Saturday, from 4-7 p.m. at the Waterfowl Festival Building in downtown Easton. The event is free, including childcare provided for participants.

Participants will gain important knowledge and resources to help facilitate business start-ups and expansion. In addition to local resource partners, representatives from the Governor’s Office on Small, Minority & Women Business Affairs will be attending the event and available to answer participant questions.

Business owners and managers are encouraged to receive the department’s Talbot Works newsletter and breaking business news by subscribing at talbotworks.org. The department can also be reached at 410-770-8058 or by visiting their office at 215 Bay St., Suite 5, Easton.

October Business Classes and Events

MCE Women’s Business Center has announced a roster of free business classes and events for October.

Restaurant Boot Camp – In Person Series

This event is a four-part series beginning on October 2nd, with the final session scheduled in November. The series offers invaluable insights on various facets of restaurant operations such as Menu Strategy, Profit Builders, Guerrilla Marketing, and Dashboards and Reports. These classes will be held at the Ocean City Library from 2:00 pm – 4:00 pm. Rick Leibowitz, SBDC Director/Business Consultant, will be the instructor, offering personalized consulting.

• Dates: Oct. 2, 16, 30, and Nov. 13
• Time: 2-4 p.m.
• Location: Ocean City Library
• Registration: Small Business Development Center Website Link

Federal Contracting Webinar – SAM.gov Simplified

Join a free webinar titled "Sam.gov Simplified – Federal Work and Grants." The webinar is designed to guide business owners through the complexities of federal contracts and grants. The session will be conducted by Roslyn Davis PMP, DASM, President & CEO of RoDa Business Solutions.

• Date: Oct. 17
• Time: 12-1 p.m.
• Speaker: Roslyn Davis PMP, DASM

Women’s Entrepreneurship Week 2023

On Oct. 18, the MCE Women’s Business Center will celebrate Women’s Entrepreneurship at Montclair State University. Join this free event featuring successful women entrepreneurs from around the globe. Lunch will be provided at no cost.

• Date: Oct. 18
• Time: Luncheon 11:30 a.m.–1 p.m.; Watch Party 1–3 p.m.
• Location: Dave and Patsy Rommel Center for Entrepreneurship, Salisbury

Dorchester Chamber of Commerce Lunch & Learn

On Oct. 25 join a Lunch & Learn session with the Dorchester Chamber of Commerce. Danielle Johnson, owner of Mirror Mirror Salon and The Platinum Gallery, will discuss "Creating a Six-Figure Income from a Hobby."

• Date: Oct. 25
• Time: 12-1:30 p.m.
• Location: Dorchester Chamber of Commerce, Cambridge
  
  

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.

Admission is $80 from Oct. 7-27. Single-day registration for Friday or Saturday is $40. To register, visit 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.