In the Red Line Community Compact, Baltimore citizens, local leaders, and
businesses stated that the Red Line and the transit-oriented development projects
around it should get Baltimore City residents working. To encourage local hiring,
Baltimore City Department of Transportation (DOT) has developed financial
incentives for contractors and their subcontractors to hire and train local
residents for construction projects along the Red Line corridor.This past week, the City advertised for bid a major construction project to start
the Uplands Redevelopment. This is the first project to use these "local hiring"
incentives. We are looking at all projects along the Red Line corridor that can
train and hire Baltimore residents in positions needed to build the Red Line.
These incentives will help local residents get hired and trained into careers in
the construction industry. Most importantly, local residents can be hired into
construction projects in their communities.Contractors can now receive two incentives for hiring and training residents on
a construction project. First, contractors and subcontractors can be reimbursed
a portion of the cost to train new workers when they are referred from a Baltimore
City workforce development program. Second, if the employee is hired into one of
nine targeted construction professions, the incentive will be even higher. These
professions were selected as they will be needed to build the Red Line and are
the most commonly used for DOT construction projects.The nine construction trades are:
1. backhoe operator
2. concrete finisher (highway or bridge form builder)
3. curb and gutter builder
4. curb and gutter machine operator
5. front-end loader
6. ironworker structural
7. mason structural
8. office engineer
9. pipe layerThe Uplands contract is currently on sale and interested bidders may
visit DOT's website for more information.Once a contractor is selected in late August, we will let you know more
about specific job opportunities that the contractor may be hiring for.If you would like more information about the local hiring incentives, visit
our website, GoBaltimoreRedline.com to view the contract language or
contact the Economic Empowerment Officer, Kenya N. Asli, at 410.396.4147.
STATION DESIGN IN YOUR NEIGHBORHOOD
Nominations are still being accepted to serve on the Red Line Station Area
Advisory Committees (SAAC)! You can participate in the process by volunteering
to serve on your area SAAC. For more information and to sign up online, visit the
MTA Red Line website.Nominations are open until August 25.
UPCOMING EVENTS
Please join us at one of Baltimore's many festivals to learn more about the
Red Line project. Representatives will be on hand to answer your questions.Sunday Farmers Market Under I-83 August 1, 2010
International Festival August 7-8, 2010
Fest Africa August 14-15, 2010
