Federal, private funds awarded for green job training
The U.S. Department of Labor announced Wednesday it has awarded $4.6 million for "green" job training to dislocated workers and others in Baltimore and Prince George's counties. The grant recipient, H-CAP Inc., will provide training to prepare job seekers and entry-level environmental services for "new and emerging green occupations" in the health care industry, the department said. The grant also will cover workers in California, New York, Washington and the District of Columbia. Separately, the Associated Builders and Contractors announced it has received a $90,000 grant from the Turner Foundation in Atlanta to help provide training in green building and sustainability practices.
- Timothy B. Wheeler
Jos. A. Bank to branch out into tuxedo rental business
Men's apparel store Jos. A. Bank Clothiers said Wednesday it is expanding into the tuxedo rental business. The Hampstead-based retailer will try the concept in 5 percent of its stores this month and, if successful, roll it out to more than half of stores in the spring. The company, which already sells tuxedos, said it was responding to customer demand. It has partnered with a national distributor that will own the inventory and deliver tuxedos to stores, reducing the risk and investment with starting the venture, the company said in a statement. The gross profit rate on rented tuxedos will be lower than on merchandise sales, but the company said there is the potential for higher gross margins if it decides to invest in its own infrastructure.
- Andrea K. Walker
Penn National names GM of Cecil Co. casino
Penn National Gaming Inc. said Wednesday that it will name Himbert Sinopoli general manager of a 1,500-slot machine casino it is building in Perryville in Cecil County. Sinopli will take the helm of the Hollywood Casino Perryville effective Feb. 1. The $97.5 million casino with 75,000 square feet of gaming space is expected to open in October as Maryland's first slots casino. Sinopoli has 15 years of gaming experience and is assistant general manager at Penn National's Argosy Casino Alton in Illinois. Penn National also is one of six bidders vying for Pimlico Race Course, Laurel Park and the Preakness in Maryland, which are being auctioned by bankrupt Magna Entertainment Corp.
- Andrea K. Walker
Parking garage to open Monday at the Fitzgerald
A new parking garage will open Monday at The Fitzgerald at UB Midtown in Baltimore as the first completed phase of the $76 million mixed-use apartment project, developer the Bozzuto Group said Wednesday. The 1,245-space garage, adjacent to the University of Baltimore, will increase public parking in the Mount Vernon neighborhood and serve the university, cultural venues and residents of the Fitzgerald, which will have 275 luxury apartments and street-level shops including a Barnes & Noble College Booksellers Superstore. Greenbelt-based Bozzuto Group is developing the Fitzgerald in a joint venture that includes former Baltimore Raven Michael McCrary. The developer will begin leasing apartments in March.
- Lorraine Mirabella
Work to begin on final phase of Weinberg Village Campus
Ground will be broken Monday for the fifth and final phase of the Harry and Jeanette Weinberg Village campus, a 446-unit rental community for elderly residents with limited incomes on Associated Way in Owings Mills. The $10 million, 86-unit fifth phase is scheduled for completion in February 2011. The nonprofit developer is CHAI, or Comprehensive Housing Assistance Inc., an agency of the Associated: Jewish Community Federation of Baltimore.
- Edward Gunts