OTO buys land for 2 hotel projects
OTO Development has acquired a 5-acre parcel at Minstrel Way and Snowden River Parkway in Columbia.
The new owner plans to break ground in the fall on two hotel properties at the site: a 117-room SpringHill Suites and a 124-room Hampton Inn Suites.
The hospitality development company, with headquarters in Spartanburg, S.C., was founded by Miami Dolphins owner Wayne Huizenga and George Johnson Jr., former chief executive officer of Extended Stay America.
The company is also building a SpringHill Suites hotel in Baltimore and a Hampton Inn Suites in Prince George's County. The two brands serve business travelers for short- and long-term stays.
David Fritz and Michele Kornbluth of NAI KLNB represented the buyer; and Bob Smith and Michael Moran represented the seller.
Seminar is offered for entrepreneurs
The Maryland Small Business Development Center and Howard County Economic Development Authority's Business Resource Center will sponsor "Smart Start to Business Success," a seminar for first-time entrepreneurs.
The seminar will be held from 8:30 a.m. to noon Aug. 15 at the Center for Business and Technology Development, 9250 Bendix Road North, Columbia.
The cost is $39. Registration is required. Information or registration: 410-313-6550, or www. hceda.org.
The Business Resource Center and its affiliates provide assistance in business management, from planning and financing to marketing and networking.
Information: www.the center.biz.
Lip balm firm has new product
Shelissa's Lip Balm Co., with headquarters in Ellicott City, has launched a new product: Shelissa's Lip Butter.
The company manufactures eco-friendly, natural vegan and nonvegan lip balm for adults and children. The products are produced by a lip balm manufacturer on the West Coast and are sold to local boutiques and online at www.Shelissa.com.
The company's founder, Shelissa Kemplin Kearney, has been a model for 20 years. The Columbia native, who has worked in commercial modeling in Japan, Hawaii, Taipei (Taiwan) and Maryland, founded her lip balm company in 2001.
"To do what you love and have fun at it -- you can't ask for anything more," Kearney said of her home-based business.
Business Digest items may be sent to howard.events @baltsun.com or faxed to 410-715-2816.