Blog
Maryland Chamber Update: September Insights and Upcoming Initiatives
Sep 25, 2024
Dear Members,
As we enter fall, Maryland's business landscape faces both challenges and opportunities. Our recent op-ed in The Baltimore Sun highlights a concerning drop in our state's business rankings — a call to action for all of us. In response, we're intensifying our efforts to enhance Maryland's competitiveness, with a focus on the upcoming 2025 Legislative Session.
I invite you to read our September blog post, where we provide a look at some of the initiatives we are working on, including our 2024 spotlight series on our state’s competitiveness across key economic indicators. Also, be sure to explore our upcoming events, including HYPE: Port of Baltimore Reception, featuring insights from Jonathan Daniels of the Maryland Port Administration.
Op-Ed: Maryland Must Reverse its Competitive Decline
On Sept. 13, Maryland Chamber of Commerce President & CEO Mary D. Kane penned an op-ed in The Baltimore Sun addressing Maryland's alarming slide from 22nd to 31st in CNBC's 2024 Top States for Business rankings. This significant drop demands immediate attention and decisive action from all stakeholders invested in Maryland's economic future.
Key concerns include:
- Business friendliness (24th → 37th)
- Infrastructure (15th → 37th)
- Stagnant workforce ranking (28th)
- Cost of doing business (47th, making Maryland the fourth-most-expensive state in the nation for businesses)
Read the full op-ed.
Preparing for the 2025 Legislative Session, Spotlight Series on Competitiveness
As the 2025 Maryland legislative session approaches, we’re launching our 2024 spotlight series on competitiveness, focusing on key areas such as business friendliness, population, job growth trends, transportation, taxes and small business growth. Throughout the year, we'll compare Maryland's rankings to last year and to our neighbors Virginia, Pennsylvania and Delaware.
Our goal is to provide a clear understanding of where Maryland stands today, as building a prosperous, competitive economy requires a solid grasp of our current position. Be sure to follow and explore these spotlights as they are released at mdchamber.org/news.
Recent Webinar: Workers' Compensation 101
We recently hosted a comprehensive webinar covering the essentials of workers' compensation. In case you missed it, watch the recording to gain invaluable insights into compliance requirements and important updates.
Upcoming Events
- HYPE: Port of Baltimore Tour + Reception: We’re excited to visit the Port of Baltimore next week on a behind-the-scenes look at the operations and economic contributions to Maryland and beyond. While the tour portion of this event is now sold out, reception tickets are still available at $30/each, and will feature a chat with Jonathan Daniels, Executive Director of Maryland Port Administration, light fare plus opportunities to network.
- 13th Annual Chamber Cup: Only a few spots remain for this exclusive outing at our new location. Please reach out to the Director of Strategic Events & Programming Jessica Hicks if you are interested in participating.
- Transportation Policy Forum: Join us for an important conversation about the impact of transportation on our economy, businesses and communities. This event will explore where Maryland stands compared to our neighbors, examine the critical needs we face, and help prepare stakeholders to advocate effectively for a better transportation future.
- Save the Dates:
- Maryland Chamber PAC Celebration — Dec. 5
- Meet the State — Jan. 15, 2025
- Maryland Business Outlook — Feb. 27, 2025
Don't miss these opportunities to network, learn and contribute to shaping Maryland's business landscape. See our upcoming events, register and more at mdchamber.org/events.
Your engagement is critical as we work to shape a Maryland where all businesses and their communities can thrive.
Best regards,
Mary D. Kane
President & CEO
