Page 18 - Port of Baltimore Magazine January/February 2016

PORT PARTNER
This is one of an ongoing series looking at the valuable working partnerships between
the Maryland Port Administration and area Economic Development officials.
Baltimore County
THE PROUD HOME TO THE PORT OF BALTIMORE.
STORY BY TODD KARPOVICH
This long-standing relationship has been
a critical driver for
jobs, trade and overall economic development throughout the region. Baltimore County is central to the Port of Baltimore’s infrastructure, workforce and business resource ecosystem.
In short, it’s a partnership that continues to grow each year.
The Port and maritime trade have been a critical part of the County’s economy since the 19th century.
As the Port continues to play an important role in the state’s economy, Baltimore County is contributing to the Port’s growth by developing and maintaining integrated multimodal transportation networks, interstate highways, CSX and Norfolk Southern rail connections, waterfront property with deepwater channels and a world- class international airport.
Dredging and Stewardship
Even as the Port and Baltimore County continue to grow business, the two entities remain sensitive to the needs of the environment. This balance is underscored by the development of Hart-Miller Island, a 1,100-acre island located in the Chesapeake Bay near the mouth of Middle River. The island was built on dredge and is now a wildlife refuge and a place people flock to for outdoor activities. Hart- Miller Island has become a model
of preservation in the international maritime industry.
“We work closely with the Port
as stewards of the water itself,” said Baltimore County Executive Kevin Kamenetz. “We work with the State on dredging issues, making sure the channels are maintained to the depths needed for modern trade and post- Panamax ships, while dealing responsi- bly with issues of dredge disposal.”
Infrastructure to Support
Maritime Trade
With the recent expansion of the Panama Canal, the Port expects to
see business grow even more during
the coming years. This means that
larger vessels carrying more cargo
will be entering the region. The State and Baltimore County are working to secure federal funding to replace the 121-year-old Howard Street railroad tunnel so double-stacked container trains can more efficiently reach destinations throughout the U.S.
“We are working with the Port and with the State to be sure we are im- proving our infrastructure in a way that meets the needs of the maritime com- munity,” said Will Anderson, Director
of the Baltimore County Department of Economic and Workforce Development. ”We are active partners in a team that’s studying freight movement and truck traffic, which is sure to increase as the cargo increases.”
Training and the
Workforce Pipeline
Another important aspect of the Port’s success is its access to the County’s well-trained and educated workforce. Baltimore County works closely with its
community college and public schools to provide training for port-related jobs. Specific training, such as welding and truck driving, is available for a wide array of port-related jobs.
New Global Logistics Center
The redevelopment of the former Bethlehem Steel mill in Sparrows
Point is expected to be a huge boost
to the County and the businesses around the Port. The new, 3,100-acre private development, called Tradepoint Atlantic, will be home to several of the world’s leading companies, including Under Armour, FedEx Ground, Atlantic Forest Products, Pasha Automotive and Harley-Davidson.
At five square miles, Tradepoint Atlantic is the largest privately owned industrial and terminal site on the East Coast, with deepwater berths, direct access to interstate highways, and internal rail connections to both the CSX and Norfolk Southern freight lines. Tradepoint Atlantic is a joint venture
of Redwood Capital Investments and Chicago-based Hilco.
“This site, for generations, was where Bethlehem Steel built ships and made steel,” said Kamenetz. “That critical work was directly integrated into Port activity. Today, the redevelopment at Tradepoint Atlantic offers a new generation of opportunities at a world- class logistics center.”
A recent study by Sage Policy Group projects $3 billion in new economic activity and 17,000 new jobs as the Sparrows Point property is transformed into a global logistics center. 􏰀
[16] The Port of Baltimore ■ January/February 2017