Owings Mills Targeted for Job Growth in Baltimore County

Owings Mills has been identified as one of nine areas in Baltimore County where partnerships between private investors, business leaders, government officials and citizens will be sought in an attempt to stimulate job growth and improve quality of life, a county statement said.

The Department of Economic Development’s 2012 Strategic Operations Plan identifies Owings Mills as an area where county money and resources should be targeted, along with private money, to "provide optimal benefits for citizens and business."

"Given the enormity of today's economic challenges, we concluded that our new approach to economic development must start from the investor's perspective," said Daniel C. Gundersen, executive director of economic development for the county, in a prepared statement. "This plan looks at what businesses need in order to grow and create jobs, then drills down to how we can work together to improve the economic climate, target resources, and form new collaborative ventures."

The plan "is designed to produce targeted results—specifically, business growth that creates jobs for county residents," County Executive Kevin Kamenetz wrote in the plan's introduction. "Its primary focus is on high employment development areas and aggressive business expansion efforts.

"This more deliberate, strategic economic development focus builds on our county's core assets: a diverse business community with strengths in competitive business sectors, a highly educated workforce, and excellent infrastructure that makes the most of our mid-Atlantic location," Kamenetz said in a prepared statement.

A broad plan for Owings Mills development is included in the county's objectives.

The plan specifically cites 's continued growth, the , the and the as so-called "game changer" projects, where the county will seek help from investors.

Officials have already said they do not see Stevenson and the major commercial projects in Owings Mills as individual projects, but rather as part of a whole, despite involved in the projects.

County Council Chairwoman Vicki Almond, who represents the area, said the projects should work together to create jobs--and an identity--for Owings Mills.

"With cooperation from other developers in the area, we can make it better," Almond said. "I believe it can work."

The extension of Owings Mills Boulevard to Liberty Road and the addition of a new I-795 interchange at Dolfield Road were also cited in the plan, which says Owings Mills should be "a regional corporate employment destination, anchored by a fully built out signature-designed town center area with access to transit and a vibrant mix of retail, residential and entertainment uses."

The University of Maryland, Baltimore County/southwest edge of the county, Federal Center at Woodlawn, Liberty Road Corridor, Hunt Valley, Towson, White Marsh/Middle River, Essex/Pulaski and Sparrows Point/Dundalk were also identified in the plan.