The Carroll County Board of Commissioners and the Environmental Advisory Council bestowed an Environmental Awareness Honorable Mention award on Northrop Grumman Electronics Sector in Sykesville. Their collective efforts to reduce energy consumption, decrease their carbon footprint and solid waste and increase water conservation and material recycling have made a difference for employees, the company and the community.

Among many successful outcomes, greeNG has resulted in an energy savings of 6630 KW/month. Employees also helped Boy Scout Troop 833 plant over 500 trees in a reforestation project at the Warfield Complex. According to Northrop EHS Engineer Joe Opauski “this effort will assist with minimizing storm water run-off; create additional wildlife habitat and enhance the ‘greening’ of the campus.”

Learn about other Environmental Awareness Awards winners here.

The Maryland Department of Business and Economic Development (DBED) launched a pair of new online tools designed to help Maryland companies better connect with federal stimulus opportunities as well as state and local funding programs. One tool, known as the ARRA Business Connection, is designed to help connect Maryland businesses with federal stimulus contracting opportunities as well as provide information on events and workshops regarding the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act (ARRA).

The second tool, the Maryland Business Connection, is an online guide that includes information on how to access capital, do business with the state's federal facilities, market products and services and recruit and train employees. "Since more than 90% of (stimulus) funds benefits the private sector, DBED is taking an aggressive role in helping Maryland businesses take advantage of this unprecedented number of state and federal contracts," said Secretary Christian Johansson.

Both new tools are available at http://www.choosemaryland.org

If your company or technology could improve air or water quality around the Chesapeake Bay area, apply for an investment from the Chesapeake Bay Seed Capital Fund. Supported by the Maryland Department of Natural Resources and administered by Mtech at the University of Maryland, the fund will invest $250,000 annually over a three-year period into Maryland-based startup companies with innovative technologies that may help improve air and water quality in the Chesapeake Bay area. Fund recipients are jointly selected by Mtech and the Maryland Department of Natural Resources.

The Chesapeake Bay Capital Seed Fund is a strategic initiative announced by Governor Martin O’Malley on Nov. 20, 2008 as part of the Chesapeake Executive Council. The goal of the fund is to accelerate the flow of capital to innovative ventures creating sustainable solutions to restoring the Chesapeake Bay and its watershed. To apply, please contact Jim Chung, Director of the Mtech VentureAccelerator Program, at 301-314-7804.

Business & Employment Resource Center (BERC) Manager Denise Rickell recently attended the Maryland Association of Community Colleges conference to accept a Business Partner award. Becky Maurio, Director of Adult Education for Carroll Community College nominated BERC for the award. In her nomination Ms. Maurio wrote ”BERC is a key player in the mission of the Carroll Community College Adult Education Program referring displaced workers, out-of-school youth and others in need of Adult Education services and…providing career guidance and job-seeking programs for students and graduates. Our partnership allows our learners to be the real beneficiaries of our common efforts.”