Connecting

June 21, 2021 Of the natural hazards in Mother Nature’s arsenal, tornadoes are some of the most vicious. But while other hazards are regularly considered in building designs, tornadoes have not been part of the equation for most structures in the United States, even in highly tornado-prone regions. Now, an upcoming edition of a critical building standard gives tornadoes some much needed attention. The American Society of Civil Engineers (ASCE) has released a draft version of the 2022 edition of ASCE 7 for ... Read more

June 22. 2021 In an effort to counter the often pernicious effect of biases in artificial intelligence (AI) that can damage people’s lives and public trust in AI, the National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST) is advancing an approach for identifying and managing these biases — and  is requesting the public’s help in improving it.  NIST outlines the approach in A Proposal for Identifying and Managing Bias in Artificial Intelligence (NIST Special Publication 1270), a new publication that forms part of the agency’s broader ... Read more

May 28, 2021 TEDCO’s leadership team was recently asked to write about one of the core values of the Maryland technology development agency that speaks to us. Integrity is a very important value in the investment community, so I chose it – or maybe it chose me. Inspiration struck as I drove through the Pennsylvania hills, while relocating from Michigan, and heading to our new home in Annapolis. With a truckload of belongings, I was making good progress on the Pennsylvania Turnpike, and planned to spend ... Read more

June 17, 2021 GAITHERSBURG, Md. — Today, the U.S. Department of Commerce’s National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST) announced a new competition for awards to support industry-driven consortia in developing technology roadmaps that will address high-priority research challenges to grow the advanced manufacturing sector in the U.S. NIST’s Manufacturing USA Technology Roadmaps (MfgTech) program anticipates awarding up to eight awards with a period of performance of up to 18 months each, with individual awards of up to $300,000 and no cost-share ... Read more

May 10, 2021 While President Joe Biden will likely strike a more diplomatic tone with China than his predecessor, economists and other observers believe the United States’ rocky trade relationship with its biggest economic rival will remain contentious — which will impact Virginia’s economy. Under former President Donald Trump, the U.S. and China were immersed in a grueling trade war marked by sanctions and escalating tariffs and amplified by the COVID-19 pandemic. The trade battles presented significant challenges to the Port of ... Read more

May 20, 2021 Bills for an average residential customer of Appalachian Power Co. will go up by about $11 a month, effective July 1. The State Corporation Commission on Tuesday approved a request by Appalachian to raise the rate it charges to cover transmission costs for the electricity it delivers to about 500,000 customers in Virginia. “We are sensitive to the effects of rate increases, especially in times such as these,” the commission stated in an order that referred to the ongoing COVID-19 public ... Read more

For over two decades, the Maryland World Class Consortia (MWCC) has been teaching manufacturers how to apply lean business practices within their facilities. The application of lean tools and methodologies helps manufacturers reach their performance goals. The not-for-profit MWCC has programs in place which help member companies create internal change agents that will plan, execute, and sustain operational excellence using lean tools and principles. By transferring the skills and knowledge needed to affect these changes, it fosters a culture of and ... Read more

July 2020 On behalf of our team at the Mid-Atlantic Region MBDA Advanced Manufacturing Center-Baltimore, I would like to extend both a hearty welcome and introduction to David Byrd, appointed the National Director of the U.S. Department of Commerce Minority Business Development Agency and the 18th MBDA National Director.You will learn more about National Director Byrd as you read his bio , but in this forum, I am pleased to share the following about this distinguished public servant and experienced entrepreneur. His ... Read more

December 2020 December marks the end of the third quarter performance for the Mid-Atlantic Region MBDA Advanced Manufacturing Center - Baltimore's fiscal year. We are also closing in on the end of our MBDA Grant period. As we enter into our final stretch we are not slowing down. We will finish strong.Over the next few months we will continue to advocate for and assist clients with accessing a new round of Covid 19 relief funds. https://myemail.constantcontact.com/Connections-Newsletter---Baltimore-Stimulus--Champions--Webinars--More.html?soid=1121937935593&aid=rgNv19OtN0E Read more

From the Director | New Ideas –Manufacturing Cooperatives This month I would like to introduce you to a concept we are working to develop for minority manufacturers in the Baltimore Metropolitan Area. After two and a half years of working with minority manufacturers, there have been some realities we have encountered. We are committed to addressing these challenges through an innovative collaborative cooperative that will create manufacturing clusters where our clients will physically co-locate and leverage common assets to include equipment, facilities, financing streams, and ... Read more