Growing Economy

Baltimore needs innovation and smart policies to drive unemployment down and our economic welfare up. This can’t be done with stale thinking, but only through a new workforce and supporting our innovative businesses.

Our Results:

Fiscal Responsibility. Without raising property taxes or laying-off public safety employees, Mayor Rawlings-Blake closed the largest deficit in modern history. The Mayor cut her office’s budget by 19%, maintained funding for public safety and public schools, and invested in crime-fighting technology. These important investments in public safety, public schools and strong neighborhoods are laying the foundation for new investment and job creation in Baltimore.

Jobs for Youth.Mayor Rawlings-Blake understands that a first job opportunity is an important milestone in a young person’s life. That’s why, de despite the expiration of stimulus funding that supported summer job placements in previous years, Mayor Rawlings-Blake worked to ensure that the YouthWorks Summer Jobs Program will employ over 10,000 young people last summer and this summer.

Energizing Downtown. In December, the Mayor convened a Working group of business leaders to develop a strategy to decrease the amount of vacant office space in Baltimore’s downtown core to help attract new businesses and create jobs.

Live Entertainment. Mayor Rawlings-Blake passed the Live Entertainment bill when she was City Council President which supports small businesses by allowing restaurants and bars to attract the residents and visitors to their establishments with live entertainment offerings.

Our Future:  

Jobs for the Future. Creating the jobs of tomorrow is a top economic priority for Mayor Rawlings-Blake. The Mayor will increase funding for the City’s Emerging Technology Center (ETC) Incubator program to create the next generation of high-tech jobs right here in Baltimore.  To date, ETC companies have received over $1 billion in investment, have been issued nearly 200 patents and have created 270 million in economic impact. 

Jobs for All. Mayor Rawlings-Blake will continue to fully fund City Career Centers to help City residents of all skill levels find jobs and get prepared and trained for new employment.  Mayor Rawlings-Blake will also increase minority business development by fully supporting minority inclusion rules for City contracts.

Attracting New Businesses to Baltimore – Mayor Rawlings-Blake will work with Business and Civic leaders to better market the City to attract new, thriving businesses to locate in Baltimore.

Smart Strategies for Jobs & Growth. Mayor Rawlings-Blake will work with private sector partners at the Greater Baltimore Committee and the Economic Alliance of Greater Baltimore to develop a strategic plan to create jobs in emerging industries and position our city for business expansion.  Mayor Rawlings-Blake will also restructure the Baltimore Development Corporation to focus on retention and attraction of small businesses, and new retail and commercial development for neighborhoods.