June 2018 – Crossroads Business Journal

Community solar could shine in Western Maryland

Updated July 2, 2018By MIKE LEWIS mlewis@crossroadsbizjournal.com

Gary Skulnik is working to bring solar energy to consumers who don’t have panels on their roofs.

Skulnik is CEO of Neighborhood Sun. The startup company, based in Silver Spring, Md., is signing up subscribers for what is known as a “community solar” project near Williamsport, Md. The 20-acre tract will host a 1,980-kilowatt facility, serving some 350 subscribers.

“This has been tried in a few states. It started in Colorado. … You don’t actually get the power from this solar plant. (The power) goes into the grid,” he said of community solar.

The idea is to replace “dirty” energy in the grid with power from renewable sources. […]

Rausch ribbon-cutting

June 30, 2018

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Volvo launches program for long-distance coaches

June 30, 2018

Volvo Buses is introducing a new range of buses for tourist and line-haul operations. “This is a historic step, the biggest renewal of our European coach range for more than 20 years,” Håkan Agnevall, president of Volvo Buses, said in a news release. “I’m convinced that our customers and their passengers will appreciate the result.” The new Volvo Buses range of vehicles for tourist and line-haul operations includes two models — the luxury model Volvo 9900 and the Volvo 9700. Inside the coach, the design team attached considerable importance to both visual and tactile quality, according to the release. “We […]

Re/Max ribbon-cutting

June 30, 2018

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Coolsen: Business should jump in sooner on social media

June 30, 2018

In the new reality of social media, almost all of our relationships (both personal and professional) now take shape and develop, at least in part, in a virtual and public space. And, even if you are in the subset of people who choose not to participate in any sort of social media, your relationships can still be affected by your choice not to participate online. (For example, a friend of mine once told me that he rarely keeps in touch with anyone that is not on Facebook.) For better or worse, social media has now replaced a good portion of […]

HCC to host conference on manufacturing workforce

June 30, 2018

HAGERSTOWN, Md. — Hagers- town Community College will host a one-day conference, “Manufacturing 4.0: Creating a Skilled Workforce,” from 8:30 a.m. to 4 p.m. Aug. 14. The conference is intended for regional industry professionals, educators and students who are stakeholders in creating the new workforce. Participants can learn about the latest trends and opportunities in this segment of industry. The conference will include keynote speakers, panel discussions, breakout sessions, and vendor tables. The conference is sponsored by the National Science Foundation. The conference registration fee is $28 per person; students and educators will be admitted free due to grant funding. […]

Crossroads area companies awarded ExportMD grants

June 30, 2018

BALTIMORE — The Maryland Department of Commerce recently awarded ExportMD grants to 26 small and mid-sized Maryland companies to help promote their products and services in the global marketplace. The ExportMD grant program helps businesses finance the costs of marketing internationally, including trade show fees, brochures and travel expenses. Applications are accepted on a monthly basis. Eligibility requirements can be found on the Commerce website. “The ExportMD program has been one of Maryland’s most successful business assistance initiatives, helping hundreds of companies connect with new global customers and attend international trade shows where they can promote their goods and services,” […]

Ribbon-cutting set for Seton Center

June 30, 2018

EMMITSBURG, Md. — A ribbon-cutting celebration has been scheduled for Seton Center Inc.’s outreach office and Seton Family Store. The new, 13,000-square-foot building at 226 E. Lincoln Ave., Emmitsburg, Md., will house the outreach office, the Seton Family Store and a meeting room for workshops and presentations. The ceremony is set for 3 p.m. July 10, with self-guided tours to follow. Seton Center strives to be a leading community resource for the residents of northern Frederick County, Md., by providing emergency support services and serving as a catalyst for change. For more information, visit www.setoncenter.org. […]

Bass: Is it possible that both workers, employers have gaps to fill?

Updated July 12, 2018

When we discuss the workforce gap, we are usually discussing the skills that industry needs versus the skills candidates have. If you are an employer facing this gap, you may want to consider your options for closing the gap by moving toward the other side. Let’s consider the case of a real person as he began entering the workforce recently. “Ralph” is attending community college part time. He worked one summer in an assembly plant, then one month in a fulfillment/distribution center. The initial job was interesting at first, but without a team to assist him, the tasks were too […]

On the Books for July 2018

June 30, 2018

Several large commercial real estate transactions have been closed in the Crossroads Business Journal area in recent weeks. The map shows some of the details about those deals. The information was taken from records maintained by the Maryland Department of Assessment and Taxation as well as deed records held by county clerk’s offices in Pennsylvania and West Virginia. The available details about property transactions vary from state to state. — Compiled by Mike Lewis […]