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Mayor Dixon Announces Creation of Baltimore Economic Recovery Team PDF Print E-mail
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
March 10, 2009

CONTACT:
Scott Peterson
(443) 740-5412

Mayor Dixon Announces Creation of Baltimore Economic Recovery Team

Baltimore, MD (March 10, 2009) –Mayor Sheila Dixon was joined by elected officials, business and community leaders to announce the creation of a working group responsible for tracking funding opportunities and resources for Baltimore City that will result from the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act (ARRA). The group will be called the Baltimore Economic Recovery Team, or BERT.

“As Mayor, it is my responsibility that we get the most out of this stimulus, and that every dollar is used intelligently and efficiently,” said Mayor Dixon. “I believe that by being strategic and smart about how these dollars are spent, we can achieve outcomes that support our shared vision for a cleaner, greener, healthier and safer Baltimore.”

Maryland is expected to receive $3.8 billion from the ARRA. Preliminary estimates show that 66,000 jobs will be created or saved across the state. In the past two weeks, the city has started to receive federal funding from ARRA for transportation projects and homeless services that exceeds $30 million, and will support over 600 jobs. The Mayor is committed to working with partners at the State and Federal level to maximize the dollars and jobs available for Baltimore’s residents.

BERT is charged with the following objectives:
• Ensure that ARRA funds are used on projects and programs that will serve Baltimore well now and for the future.
• Serve as the City’s clearinghouse for stimulus information.
• Maximize job opportunities for city residents.
• Seek the best advice and ideas from citizens and partners in the human services, economic and community development communities.
• Aggressively pursue all opportunities for ARRA funds.
• Manage ARRA funds in an open and transparent manner.
• Track the outcomes of the ARRA funds awarded to the City and its partners.

BERT will be lead by Jean Lewis, Deputy Director, Mayor’s Office of Criminal Justice and Jamie Kendrick, Deputy Director, Department of Transportation. The Team will provide regular reports to the Mayor and City Council, State and Federal Delegations, and the public at-large on how funds are spent. Reports will be available at their website, http://Recovery.BaltimoreCity.gov.

Mayor Dixon assigned the following city agencies to appoint a senior staff member as liaison to the Recovery Team: Baltimore Development Corporation, Office of Employment Development, Department of Finance, Department of General Services, Health Department, Department of Housing and Community Development, Housing Authority of Baltimore City, Department of Planning, Police Department, Department of Public Works, Department of Recreation and Parks, Department of Transportation, Baltimore Homeless Services, and the Baltimore City Public Schools. Mayoral offices such as Criminal Justice and Neighborhoods will also participate.

Advising the team will be two seasoned leaders: Mark Wasserman, Senior Vice President, University of Maryland Medical System, and the Honorable Vera Hall. During the 1970s, Wasserman served as Baltimore’s economic recovery coordinator when President Ford made significant funding available to cities in economic crisis. He has served the City and State for decades, as an advisor to Mayor and Governor William Donald Schaefer and as the Secretary of the Maryland Department of Business and Economic Development. Ms. Hall served in the Baltimore City Council from 1987-1995. She is intimately familiar with issues related to City schools and social service programs.

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