By Karen Glenn Hood, Marketing and Communicattions
A start-up beverage company that recently acquired the distribution rights for a popular fruit beverage has found a home on Maryland’s Eastern Shore.
This week, Triple Ventures LLC announced it has purchased a 30,000 square-foot building in the Chesapeake Industrial Park in Cambridge to manufacture and distribute beverages, including the Fruit Wave H2O product line. Over the next three years, the company plans to create 50 full-time jobs and make a $1.9 million investment in equipment and retrofitting the building. The company was recently formed by principals of Royalle Dining Services, an existing vending machine distributor in Calvert County, and other investors.
“We are extremely excited to open our bottling facility in Cambridge,” said Ed Baddour Jr., Triple Ventures Vice President. “It is great to see Maryland’s commitment to manufacturing jobs. We had tremendous help from DBED, MEDCO and the local Economic Development Offices in Cambridge and Dorchester County in choosing to grow our company on the Eastern Shore. We are confident in meeting our employment goals and hope to be in full production by fall 2012.”
Triple Ventures' New Building in Chesapeake Industrial Park
To help with the building purchase, the Maryland Department of Business and Economic Development approved a $1.5 million loan to the company. In 2002, DBED funded the construction of the building, which is owned by the Maryland Economic Development Corporation (MEDCO), as flex space for an industrial tenant. The loan is being made through the DBED’s Maryland Economic Development Assistance Fund (MEDAF).
“The State was pleased to work with our partners in Dorchester County to provide this promising start up with the support it needs to become operational and create 50 new jobs on the Eastern Shore,” said DBED Secretary Christian S. Johansson. “Maryland has an outstanding climate for start-ups to succeed, including a strategic location accessible to many markets and one of the most highly-skilled workforces in the country.”
“The fact that Triple Ventures chose Cambridge demonstrates that the community offers real business growth opportunities with a business friendly attitude,” said Cambridge Mayor Victoria Jackson-Stanley. “The city’s quality water supply is an obvious asset for the delicious Fruit Wave product line. I am proud to welcome this company to Cambridge and to have the rewards of new employment opportunities for our citizens.”
“The County is truly excited about the seamless partnership between State, County and local officials that facilitated the purchase of the 30,000 square-foot building in the Chesapeake Industrial Park by Triple Ventures, LLC,” said Keasha Haythe, CEcD, Dorchester County Economic Development Director. “The County’s close proximity to the Baltimore/Washington mega-market offers a lower cost of doing business which makes Dorchester County an excellent choice for such a start-up operation in need of a strategic location.”
By Ashante Saunders
DBED Secretary Christian Johansson talks with MDBizMedia about the State’s recent trade mission to India and reflects on his cultural experiences.
by Maureen Kilcullen, DBED Marketing & Communications
Not many people actually want to talk to the Internal Revenue Service, but yesterday at Contract Connections, which matches small businesses with federal agencies and contractors, folks were lined up to chat with the tax collection agency. And for some 50 representatives of Maryland companies who spoke with Col. Jacob Hansen, USA, Ret., who directs the IRS Office of Procurement Agency-wide Shared Services, the encounter wasn’t painful. Both during a networking period prior to the event and again immediately following his presentation, Col. Hansen was besieged by those who sought information hoping to do business with the agency. IRS Procurement Analyst Mary McKinzie met with another 20 attendees during a “matchmaking” session designed to connect companies with federal contracting opportunities.
DBED Deputy Secretary Dominick Murray and Ken Starr (left) and David H. Ehrenwerth of the U.S. General Services Administration
In addition to information on the IRS’ procurement process and current contracts, Col. Hansen regaled the audience with stories of his U.S. Army experience in Iraq, where he was among the troops who brought down Saddam Hussein’s regime and upon the discovery of the dictator’s stash counted $72 million in $100 bills U.S. currency.
The IRS joined the FDA Center for Tobacco Products, the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, NASA Goddard, and the Department of Energy in one of three panel discussions that informed the audience on mentoring programs and procurement opportunities – from IT to communications and marketing to operations and maintenance. The first – the Department of Defense panel – included the Air Force, Joint Program Executive Office for Chemical & Biological Defense, the Defense Information Systems Agency, Walter Reed National Military Medical Center, Defense Media Activity, U.S. Army Communications-Electronics Command, and U.S. Army Medical Research & Materiel Command. A prime contractors’ panel with General Dynamics Information Technology, Lockheed Martin and BAE Systems dispelled myths of subcontracting.
David H. Ehrenwerth, administrator for the U.S. General Services Administration’s Mid-Atlantic region, opened the conference with an overview of federal contracting and specific opportunities in Maryland. Senator Barbara A. Mikulski, who gave the luncheon keynote address that merited a standing ovation, described Maryland as a contracting powerhouse, securing $34 billion in federal contracts in fiscal year 2009. Contract Connections closed with the matchmaking session in which companies met one-on-one with federal agencies and prime contractors – in all, 175 such meetings.
300 Attend Contract Connections
More than 300 people – representing 200 Maryland businesses – attended the event, which was organized by DBED and sponsored by Lockheed Martin, COPT, ARINC, Northrop Grumman Electronic Systems, Insperity, ADP, and Curtis Engine.
By Jill Feinberg, Communications Director Star-Spangled 200, Inc.
Last week Baltimore County Executive Kevin Kamenetz joined Maryland Transportation Deputy Secretary Darrell Mobley, and Major General James Adkins to welcome the U.S. Navy Blue Angels to Maryland and to announce the Star-Spangled Air Show. The air show will take place June 16-17, 2012 during Star-Spangled Sailabration, Maryland’s international maritime and air festival that kicks off the bicentennial of the War of 1812 in Maryland.
Deputy Secretary of Transportation Darrell Mobley gives remarks
“We are pleased to host the Blue Angels as we continue our celebration of The Star-Spangled Banner and the War of 1812,” said Governor Martin O’Malley. “With the raising of that banner, Maryland – this center state – became the centerpiece of our nation’s hopes. And so now, 200 years later, Maryland is the centerpiece of our nation’s commemoration of the War of 1812. We hope that all Marylanders and visitors to our State will join us in celebrating our revolutionary history.”
The Blue Angels, the Navy Flight Demonstration Squadron, will be performing in Baltimore for the first time during the Star-Spangled Air Show, a two-day event featuring multiple acts flying above the waters of Fort McHenry. Blue Angels Lieutenant Commander Todd Royles and Lieutenant Mark Tedrow were in Baltimore to conduct familiarization flights of the local area in advance of their performance.
Lieutenant Commander Todd Royles speaks, flanked by Commander Mark Tedrow
“Baltimore County communities and citizens played a critical role in the War of 1812 and we are delighted to host the Blue Angels next June as they headline the air show,” said Baltimore County Executive Kevin Kamenetz. The Blue Angels will be based at Martin State Airport where a community-wide festival will also be held.
by Eric Parekh, Michael Drake, Mike Haran & Rob King, Loyola College
After working in the industry for several years, Founder and Creative Director Julie Savage recognized a need in the marketplace for an event design company who was equally competent in event planning and event styling. So, in early 2010, Savage founded Strawberry Milk Events to provide style conscious brides with professional event management services coupled with expert event design styling.
“I started Strawberry Milk Events because I was at the time working as a wedding sales manager for a hotel downtown and noticed that with all of our brides coming, weddings every weekend – if not two or three at a time – that the planners that came with the brides were great at wedding coordination of the logistics and execution, but were really lacking something with regard to the wow factor,” Savage said.
So Savage hoped to help brides add to the flawless execution of the event by providing a beautiful, memorable and chic occasion.
“When they are looking through the pages of that magazine and emulate what they see, I wanted to help them get that to help them achieve that vision.”
Over the past 18 months, the Strawberry Milk team has established itself as one of the premier event design firms in the greater Baltimore-Washington metropolitan region. The Annapolis-based company specializes in planning all types of social events but is quickly becoming known as the go-to vendor for brides who are interested in having a fashion forward platinum wedding. Strawberry Milk has been featured in publications such as Engaged Magazine, the Knot, Who’s Who of Wedding Planners, Washingtonian and the industry leading blog StyleMePretty.
Strawberry Milk currently has three employees and expects to grow their staff in 2012. The company planned and styled 13 weddings in 2011. Based on current bookings, Strawberry Milk expects to exceed their 2011 revenue and their total number of weddings in 2012.
Strawberry Milk Events is the first company that Savage has founded. She attributes the company’s early success to strong vendor relationships and a commitment to networking. The company has a strong social media presence and frequently exhibits at regional bridal shows. The company also has partnered with local vendors and venues to promote their services collectively to a wider audience.
Strawberry Milk Events is a prime example of a Maryland based business that is experiencing strong growth and is contributing to the regional economy. Entrepreneurs such as Julie Savage are a vital part of the state’s business development initiatives.
by Zoe Pagonis, Office of the Governor
Governor O’Malley takes a moment to talk about the importance of global trade while visiting the Tata Group in Mumbai, India. Governor O’Malley is leading a 6-day mission of over 100 Maryland business leaders, local elected officials and university officials to India so that we can expand opportunity for more Marylanders at home.
by Karen Glenn Hood, DBED
Governor O'Malley presents the Maryland flag to the Chief Minister of Hyderabad.
As Maryland’s six-day trade mission to India continued today in Mumbai, Maryland Department of Business and Economic Development Secretary Christian S. Johansson joined Dr. V. Rangaraj, Chairman of the U.S. India Importers Council, to sign an agreement committing the two regions to boost trade.
The Council was created to support Indian companies that import goods and services from the U.S. and advance President Obama’s National Export Initiative, which was unveiled in February 2010 with a goal of doubling exports over the next five years and supporting two million jobs in America.
As part of the agreement, Maryland and India will collaborate in business, trade and economic relations and assist companies in both regions with connecting to potential trade partners. Governor Martin O’Malley, who is leading the mission and its more than 100-member delegation, witnessed the signing.
Maryland's economic mission to India has already resulted in signings between 4 Maryland companies and their Indian counterparts, as well as today's signing of the agreement to boost trade between Maryland and India.
“This agreement helps to build on the proactive steps Maryland has already taken to boost trade. We have launched the Maryland Export Initiative to complement President Obama’s initiative, are providing export grants to small and mid-sized business and continue to have a strong relationship with federal agencies focused on overseas trade,” said DBED Secretary Christian S. Johansson. “India is a very strong market for Maryland – both imports and exports – and we look forward to expanding that partnership.”
“Maryland’s Governor O’Malley is leading the way in promoting exports from the U.S., and especially Maryland, in leading this historic trade delegation to India,” said Dr. Rangaraj. “For our part, we will help grow Maryland exports that strengthen our US-India trade relations and create jobs for both Maryland and India.”
In 2010, India was Maryland’s 12th largest export market with $233 million in goods and services, and was the State’s 13th largest import market, with more than $465 million. As of September, Maryland exports to India were valued at over $192 million, representing an 18 percent increase over the same period in 2010. In the first nine months of this year, the Port of Baltimore saw $341 million in trade to and from India compared with $229 million from the same time frame in 2010 – a 49 percent increase.
by Jill Feinberg, Communications Director, Star-Spangled 200, Inc.
Last week, Governor Martin O’Malley was joined by Mayor Stephanie Rawlings-Blake and representatives from the U.S. Navy and Operation Sail, Inc. (OpSail) to announce Star-Spangled Sailabration, an international maritime festival that will launch Maryland’s three-year War of 1812 bicentennial efforts. Star-Spangled Sailabration will take place June 13-19, 2012 in Baltimore’s Inner Harbor and the Chesapeake Bay.
“The bicentennial of The Star-Spangled Banner and the War of 1812 will depict Maryland’s pivotal role in securing America’s independence,” said Governor Martin O’Malley. “We are pleased to welcome these ships to the Inner Harbor and the Bay for this historic celebration that will remind Americans of how, through courage and conviction, Marylanders from all walks of life came together and gave our nation her flag and national anthem.”
Dozens of Navy ships and tall ships from the U.S. and international navies are expected to line Baltimore’s harbor during the week, bringing thousands of sailors to the region. Additional activities will include free on-board public tours of ships, official visits by international dignitaries and Navy leadership, fireworks, crew sporting competitions, community service projects, living history displays, educational activities, a new symphonic work, a public art project, and much more.
A U.S. Navy crew mans the deck of the U.S.S. Hurricane Star-Spangled Sailabration.
In addition to Baltimore, the Navy will commemorate the Bicentennial in New Orleans, Norfolk, VA, New York, Boston, and several other historically significant cities. The Chief of Naval Operations has invited 120 countries to send appropriate combat ships as well as their national academy sail training tall ships. Officials have identified 9 U.S. warships and 5 tall sailing ships to visit Baltimore; other vessels from Great Britain, Canada, Columbia, Brazil, Ecuador, and Mexico are expected to participate. The Coast Guard has confirmed its tall ship, the Eagle, will visit and lead the parade of sail. Operation Sail (OpSail), the Congressionally-chartered nonprofit producer of tall ship events, is partnering with the U.S. Navy to produce next year’s commemoration events.
Star-Spangled Sailabration is expected to bring hundreds of thousands of visitors to Baltimore and the region and contribute to the economy through increased hotel bookings, restaurant reservations, and spending at shops and retail outlets. The June events are also expected to attract significant national and international media coverage.
On the first official day of a six-day economic development mission to India, four Maryland businesses have already signed agreements with their Indian counterparts, boosting two-way trade and investment for Maryland and India.
After a brief stop in Doha, Qatar, where he met His Highness the Amir of Qatar; company officials of Q-Tel, one of the fastest growing mobile companies; and officials of Diar, a real estate company, Governor O’Malley witnessed the agreement signings before the four companies and their Indian partners.
A view of Qatar.
ANGARAI, a Greenbelt-based management consulting firm specializing in project management, oversight and business transformation solutions and one of Prince George’s County’s fastest growing small businesses, signed an agreement with CI , a technology product development company based in Chennai. The agreement enables ANGARAI to pursue opportunities in mobile and web applications, potentially opening up an office in Maryland.
The second signing was between Rockville-based Sheladia Associates, an engineering, architecture and development company and two Indian firms – M/S Sai Matarani Toll Ways Ltd. and Gayatri Projects Ltd. Sheladia will provide design and project management services valued at $3.7 million for upgrading the Panikoili – Rimouli Section of National Highway 215 to a 4 Lane facility in the State of Orissa.
A third signing involved an MOU between Maryland-based DataNet Systems Corp. and RT-MediBus Technologies and the Health Management and Research Institute in Hyderabad to create MediHelp, a 24-hour/seven-day a week health care helpline. The creation of the helpline can help screen minor ailments and illnesses, which could ultimately reduce the overall cost of public healthcare. The call center would be located in Prince George’s County.
A view of Hyderabad.
In addition, Amarex, a Germantown-based clinical research organization, signed an agreement with Gaithersburg’s Shreis Scalene Sciences LLC to gain FDA approval for the medical device Cytotron, which uses a patented technology to treat regenerative and degenerative diseases such as cancer, osteoarthritis and multiple sclerosis. The device was invented and developed by Dr. Rajah Vijay Kumar, Chairman of Scalene Cybernetics in Bangalore, a technology and equity partner of Shreis Scalene Sciences.
The delegation, which includes 100 business leaders, educators and elected officials, arrived in Hyderabad in the early hours this morning. Upon arrival, Governor O’Malley addressed the Confederation of Indian Industries, a non-government, not-for-profit organization that is over 116 years old. The association has over 8,100 members from the private and public sectors, and includes over 90,000 companies from the region.
The Governor later met with Dr. Kiran Kumar Reddy, Chief Minister of Andhra Pradesh, for a sister-state agreement signing between Maryland and Andhra Pradesh. The agreement commits the two regions to working together on matters of business and industry, culture and arts and education and health.
Governor O'Malley met with Dr. Kiran Kumar Reddy, Chief Minister of Andhra Pradesh, and signed a sister state agreement to promote collaboration on matters of business and industry, culture and arts and education and health.
Between 2004 and 2009, Indian companies made eight acquisitions in Maryland, totaling $564 million. In 2010, India was Maryland’s 12th largest export market with $233 million in goods and services, and was the State’s 13th largest import market, with more than $465 million. As of September, Maryland exports to India were valued at over $192 million, representing an 18 percent increase over the same period in 2010. Maryland’s India office also has a U.S. location in the International Incubator at the University of Maryland, College Park to assist local companies open offices in India. In the first nine months of this year, the Port of Baltimore saw $341 million in trade to and from India compared with $229 million from the same time frame in 2010 – a 49 percent increase.
Governor O’Malley, First Lady O’Malley and the delegation will spend two days in Hyderabad, and will then travel to Mumbai and New Delhi to boost two-way trade and investment. The six-day mission will wrap up with a visit to the Taj Mahal. Governor O’Malley is the first sitting Governor from Maryland to lead a trade mission to India.
by Timothy Metzler, Grace Coshaw, Veronica Pierce & Meir Horovitz, Loyola College
Ethan Giffin was inspired to create a web company that would serve the vast needs of the growing e-Commerce industry. So, in 2007, Giffin founded Groove Commerce, a boutique web agency providing enterprise-level services in downtown Baltimore. Giffin and his team have created a company that is dedicated to providing the complete package of web design, development and marketing under one roof.
Since its inception, Groove Commerce has become a trusted source in the field, and one of the premiere web design and development companies in the mid-Atlantic region collaborating with national and international clients. Their promise is to give customers the dedication and late-night hours of a small start-up and the professional expertise of a Fortune 500. Their customer service is personal, plainspoken and always available.
The company’s approach, Giffin said, is to help clients solve their problems with a thorough analysis of their current website, including the website of the client’s competitors. Through research, reports and conversation, Groove identifies areas of weakness at varying levels that involve major and minor changes as well as easy and complex solutions.
“Groove Commerce crafts a strategy based on your company’s unique needs including expected growth, budget and time,” Giffin said. “If your project has limitations due to size, technology or any other variable, don’t worry. We are always willing to roll up our sleeves and get creative. We are not content proposing just any solution – we are dedicated to determining and executing your best solution. Your new plan of action won’t be a PDF that out-dates itself in a matter of months.”
Cookies.com's website was design and developed by Groove Commerce.
The company’s online marketing experts help companies revise, transform and create strategies as new business goals are identified, as new technologies occur and as your users’ expectations change.
“Your e-Commerce or lead generation website needs more than a pretty interface. It needs to have a useable interface – your shoppers and visitors have to be able to find the products and information they’re looking for with the utmost ease,” Giffin said. “This simple principle is the leading cause for why sites don’t convert!”
Today, the company has developed new sites for myriad companies, from Cookies.com to Epic Dental, and continues to grow.
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