Baltimore Checkbook

Airmall USA, operator of BWI concessions, names...

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Airmall USA, which runs the airport retail operations at Baltimore/Washington International Thurgood Marshall Airport and elsewhere, has named a new president and CEO. Ben Zandi joins Airmall after 30 years experience and was most recently executive vice president of PGHC Inc., a restaurant company based in Dedham, Mass. He was also owner and operator of Tennessee-based regional restaurant company Zanick Inc. and worked for Host Corp. by Marriott. In his new role, he’ll also be in charge of North…

Developer wants to turn 157-year-old West...

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A 157-year-old mansion in West Baltimore is getting quite the facelift. Ernst Valery Investment Corp. is planning to convert the Sellers Mansion at 801 N. Arlington Ave. into apartments, according to a presentation given to the city’s Commission for Historical & Architectural Preservation this month. It is unclear how many units will be inside the development. In addition to renovating the 7,200-square-foot mansion in Lafayette Square, the developer is planning to construct a three-story addition…

Under Armour releases first line of American-made...

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Under Armour Inc. on Monday released its first collection of apparel made in the U.S., products designed and manufactured at the sportswear maker’s new UA Lighthouse facility in South Baltimore. The first items are a women’s sports bar and legging set, called Arris Project. The initial run of 2,000 units cost $120 for the leggings and $50 for the bra. The clothes are available starting today on Under Armour’s website. Under Armour (NYSE: UAA) says the collection features innovative material that…

8 things you need to know this morning

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Happy Monday! Expect clear skies with temperatures in the upper 30s. Here are eight things to know as you start the work week. • Democratic lawmakers in deep-blue Maryland are calling on Republican Gov. Larry Hogan to denounce President Trump’s controversial travel ban. [Washington Post] • Baltimore-based Laureate Education is among seven companies planning initial public offerings this week. The for-profit higher education company could raise as much as $580 million. [Associated Press] •…

Ceremony Coffee looks to offer beer, cocktails at...

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The combination of alcohol and coffee isn’t new, but Ceremony Coffee Roasters is hoping a focus on both morning and evening menus, including alcoholic drinks, at its new Harbor Point location this spring will be a hit. Ceremony Coffee Roasters, which is based out of Annapolis, is set to open its second Baltimore City location and fourth overall coffeehouse in April. A Mount Vernon location opened in 2015 near Mount Vernon Marketplace. On Feb. 2, the company will look to get a liquor license from…

Podcast: Maryland Live president on casino...

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Rob Norton knows the casino industry is getting competitive in Maryland. Previously, Maryland Live Casino’s biggest competitor was north on Interstate 95 at Horseshoe Casino Baltimore. Now, Norton has to worry about a new competitor south on 95 at the MGM National Harbor, which opened in December. But Norton, as the president of Cordish Global Gaming and of Maryland Live, is unfazed by the competition, despite Maryland Live’s revenue dropping in December. In this week’s episode of the BaltBizCast,…

Maryland lawmakers to again propose legalizing...

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Legislators are expected to propose two bills on Monday related to legalizing marijuana use for adults and tax it in an effort to generates tens of millions of dollars for the state. Senators Richard Madaleno, William C. Smith Jr. and Delegates Mary Washington and David Moon will sponsor the legislation, according to a news release. One of the bills would legalize marijuana use for people 21 and older and regulate it similarly to alcohol. The other bill would tax non-medical uses of the drug. This…

Under Armour's Plank named to Trump's...

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Under Armour’s CEO Kevin Plank is among a group of business leaders who will provide President Donald Trump and his administration with advice for creating job growth in America. Trump plans to meet with the 28 CEOs to gain insight from them as part of his Manufacturing Jobs Initiative announced Friday. During the election cycle, Trump ran his campaign with a strong focus on bringing jobs back to America, in particular, those in the manufacturing industry. A specific agenda for the discussions…

For Baltimore's health commissioner, talk of...

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Baltimore’s health department could face drastic funding cuts under policy overhauls in Washington, D.C., proposals that has the city’s health chief Dr. Leana Wen experiencing “great stress and anxiety.” Wen is nervous the change in priorities could impact her department’s ability to continue operating the same public health programs and services in Baltimore. The Baltimore City Health Department operates under a $130 million dollar budget, with over 80 percent of that money coming from state and…

T. Rowe Price wins extension to manage Maryland's...

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T. Rowe Price Group Inc. has been awarded a contract allowing the money manager to continue overseeing one of Maryland’s college savings plans through 2024. The state’s Board of Public Works approved the $31.3 million contract between T. Rowe and Maryland 529, formerly known as the College Savings Plans of Maryland, on Jan. 25. Baltimore-based T. Rowe has managed the Maryland College Investment Plan since its inception in 2001. Gov. Larry Hogan, Treasurer Nancy Kopp and Comptroller Peter Franchot…