City Home Buying Grants
Governor Larry Hogan and Mayor Stephanie Rawlings-Blake have teamed up to launch Grand Slam, a $3 million ($2 million from the state, $1 million from the city) home buying program for Baltimore City which will provide grants to home buyers until the funds run out. Details from a Governor Hogan press release:
$5,000 for down payment assistance in the form of an outright grant from the state. The Hogan administration has allocated $2 million from Maryland’s rainy day fund for this initiative, a decision affirmed by the state’s Board of Public Works in June.
$2,500 for additional down payment assistance from the City of Baltimore, also in the form of a grant. Baltimore’s Board of Estimates approved the program on Wednesday.
A federal tax credit through the Maryland HomeCredit program that can save the homeowner tens of thousands of dollars over the life of the loan. In addition, Maryland is waiving its usual fee for a savings of as much as $450.
A 0.25 percent discount on the already low Maryland Mortgage Program interest rate.
More information is expected to be released in the near future. Additional home buying incentives can be viewed at LiveBaltimore.
Betamore and Plank Industries Team Up
Federal Hill’s Betamore and Under Armour CEO Kevin Plank’s Plank Industries are teaming up on an event to connect area startups with venture capital. From Baltimore Business Journal:
The Oct. 1 event, called Beta City, is intended to highlight promising Baltimore startups, connect entrepreneurs to venture capitalists and showcase Baltimore as an emerging startup hub. The day will include a pitch session, a VIP event at Plank Industries’ new innovation center and networking opportunities.
Startup Maryland and Technical.ly Baltimore are also partners in the event.
“Bringing together the network of resources and individuals who help and support the growth of early stage companies is core to our mission,” Betamore co-founder and chair Greg Cangialosi said in a statement.
Quiznos Closes
The Quiznos at the BP at 1465 E. Key Hwy. has closed. The space is currently empty.
Merritt Expansion
Merritt Athletic Club at Fort Ave. has recently completed a renovation and expansion of its weight room.
Subway for Morrel Park
A Subway will be opening in Morrel Park at 2623 Washington Blvd. The space was formerly Club Reality and has been vacant since 2012.
Congressional District Reform
Governor Larry Hogan recently created the Maryland Redistricting Reform Commission to change how Maryland congressional districts are drawn to prevent “gerrymandering.” Governor Hogan has consistently shown the South Baltimore Peninsula’s district (District 3) as an example, which was described as looking like a “blood spatter from a crime scene.” John Sarbanes (D) is District 3’s Congressman for the House of Representatives.
Pizza Di Joey Featured on ABC2
Pigtown-based food truck Pizza di Joey was recently featured on ABC2’s Food Truck Review. From the article:
He (Owner Joey Vanoni) wants to create a friendly, welcoming atmosphere. When you come up to the truck you don’t just get a slice of pizza, you get a welcoming smile and awesome customer service. If the pizza doesn’t make you come back, (and trust me, it will) a good conversation with the people in the truck could.
The motto on the side of the truck is “Serving those who have served,” and Pizza di Joey does a lot for veterans. From offering a discount for active and retired military to hiring veterans struggling to find work, Vanoni really lives up to his motto.
Pigtown Updates
Two July 29th auctions for Washington Blvd. properties ended without securing a new buyer. This included an auction for the former home of the Tilted Pig, as well as two adjacent buildings totaling 9,100 sq. ft. at 908 and 912 Washington Blvd. Last month Pigtown Main Street Director Ben Hyman told SouthBMore.com in an email, “we certainly hope that those properties become productive commercial uses for the community.”