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Business Journals
22-04-2025
- Business
- Business Journals
Mayor Scott outlines goals for Baltimore in State of City address
By submitting your information you are agreeing to our Privacy Policy and User Agreement . Mayor Brandon Scott's State of the City address paints an optimistic picture for Baltimore's future, despite recent economic challenges and federal funding cuts. Story Highlights Mayor Brandon Scott outlines goals to lower property taxes by 2028. Scott aims to tackle vacant housing crisis and attract new businesses. Baltimore's State of the City address moved downtown to highlight investment opportunities. Baltimore Mayor Brandon Scott's ambitious agenda for his second term centers on lowering the property tax rate by 2028, attracting new businesses and tackling the vacant housing crisis amid continued economic uncertainty. Those were among the goals outlined Monday during Scott's fifth State of the City address downtown at the M&T Bank Exchange. The mayor ticked off a list of priorities and ideals during the optimistic, TED Talk-style speech, where he paced the stage in front of a large video screen showing aerial shots of Baltimore, TV news clips and personal testimonies about city life. GET TO KNOW YOUR CITY Find Local Events Near You Connect with a community of local professionals. Explore All Events Scott, 41, was sworn in for a second term in December after four years of weathering headwinds that include the pandemic, public safety woes, a prolonged battle over the presence of squeegee kids on city streets and declining property values downtown. Lately, that list has included an austere state fiscal crisis and the near collapse of federal aid to local jurisdictions under the Trump administration, from which Baltimore has not been spared. The city filed a lawsuit in early February to try to reverse frozen or cut federal funds. "This city is full of folks who love her, want to make her better, and will check anyone from outside who comes after her," the mayor said in his address. "Baltimore is not going to sit and take it." The annual State of the City address has traditionally been delivered at City Hall. The decision to move the message outside that historic home helped underscore Scott's pledge to rewrite Baltimore's narrative and attract new investment to the city. Some recent momentum on that front includes a $500 million private investment to redevelop Harborplace, the success of upgrades at the newly branded CFG Bank Arena, an overhauled Lexington Market and recently announced plans to reinvent parts of Redwood Street downtown with retail amid a pedestrian-friendly corridor. Among the pledges made by Scott on Monday were: Setting a goal of lowering the city's property tax rate to under $2 per $100 of assessed value by 2028. The current rate is $2.248. This would reverse long-standing criticism of the high cost of living in Baltimore, where the effective tax rate is the highest in the state. Scott gave no details about how he planned to make that happen. Earlier this month, the mayor unveiled a budget that hiked taxes and fees to close an $85 million gap. Ending the city's crisis of blighted, vacant houses, buildings and lots by 2038 under a newly-branded effort called Reframe Baltimore. Pumping some of the nearly $700 million awarded to the city from lawsuits stemming from the opioid crisis back into community development. Pushing for major changes to local building and zoning codes to allow for additional multifamily housing options in the city to help create more affordable apartments. Creating a Mayor's Office of Arts, Culture, and Entertainment to help solidify and attract live events, nightlife, the film industry and a cultural workforce to Baltimore. The mayor paced the stage during his address in a blue suit, bright gold tie and tennis shoes. He had the demeanor of a motivational speaker and a clear message: Baltimore's short- and long-term outlook is on the rise, buoyed by a historic decline in the city's homicide rate last year and a slight increase in population. 'We're looking at $7 billion in public and private development downtown through 2028," the mayor said. "Whether you're a Fortune 500 company or a startup, we want you to get in on the action. Consider this a personal invitation from the mayor.'
Zawya
17-04-2025
- Business
- Zawya
Waha Connect to promote technological innovation in Upper Egypt
Beni Suef – The second edition of "Waha Connect: Shaping the ICT Horizon" kicked off today at the Beni Suef New Technology Park, bringing together top leaders in the technology industry, entrepreneurs, and ICT experts. The event is part of Silicon Waha's ongoing efforts to support digital innovation and promote investment and expansion opportunities in the tech sector, particularly in Upper Egypt. The event features a series of inspiring panel discussions highlighting success stories of local startups and talents, while also exploring the future of contact centers and outsourcing services, and the role of technology parks in driving digital transformation. It also serves as a dynamic networking platform for experts, investors, and companies, helping foster strategic partnerships that contribute to the growth of Egypt's technology sector. During the opening remarks, Hashim Mansi, CEO of Silicon Waha, stated: "The launch of the second edition of Waha Connect reflects our commitment to empowering young talent and creating a fully integrated tech ecosystem that supports the growth of startups and SMEs in Upper Egypt. The Beni Suef New Technology Park has become a model for digital innovation communities, offering advanced infrastructure and attractive investment opportunities that support Egypt's digital economy and strengthen its position as a regional hub for IT and outsourcing services." The event welcomed over 250 attendees, including senior executives, industry experts, and representatives from global and regional companies. The agenda featured interactive panel discussions and inspiring TED Talk-style presentations focused on leveraging technology to drive economic development and open new opportunities for local talent in innovation and entrepreneurship. Among the key speakers were: Mr. Ramez Artine, COO of Aura Communication, who shared the journey of his company in a session titled 'From Local Roots to National Reach: The Rise of a Contact Center Startup.' He discussed how Aura evolved from a local agency into a strategic contact center partner for Vodafone Egypt, launching its first contact center in the Beni Suef New Technology Park and achieving national operational leadership. Dr. Sherif Kamal, Beni Suef Technological University faculty member and the Industrial Control Department head at the Egyptian-Korean College of Industry and Energy Technology at Beni Suef Technological University, presented 'Building the Future: Empowering Tech Generations from the Ground Up.' He shared his extensive experience in smart control systems and renewable energy, focusing on preparing the next generation to lead Egypt's industrial future. Ms. Heba Ali Azmy, representative of the Creativa initiative and Innovation Program Manager at TIEC and ITIDA, gave a session titled 'Technology Without Borders: Startups from Beni Suef Reshaping Everyday Life.' She highlighted four promising startups: o SUDU, a delivery app providing daily household needs in minutes o WEXFI, an intelligent platform for wireless network management and customer behavior analysis o Green Pyramids, a company transforming used cooking oil into eco-friendly biofuel o Dinamo, a ride-sharing app serving underserved towns and villages Nahda University led an inspiring session titled 'Made in Beni Suef: Graduation Projects Shaping Egypt's Future,' moderated by Dr. Mohamed Qarni, Head of the Electrical Engineering and Renewable Energy Department. Samsung also participated as a guest of honor, with Ms. Soham Atta, Government Relations Director, delivering a presentation titled 'Made in Beni Suef: Why Samsung Chose the Heart of Upper Egypt for Its Industrial Launch.' She discussed the strategic reasons behind Samsung's investment in Beni Suef, emphasizing the critical role of the region's strong industrial ecosystem and skilled local talent in achieving global success stories 'Made in Egypt.' This event presents a promising opportunity to showcase inspiring models of collaboration between academia and the private sector, and to highlight the untapped potential of Upper Egypt — particularly Beni Suef — as a growing center for innovation and sustainable development. The event reflects the pivotal role technology parks play in driving digital transformation and knowledge-based economic growth. Beni Suef New Technology Park offers a fully integrated environment with modern infrastructure, investment incentives, and operational facilitation, making it an ideal destination for companies seeking expansion beyond Cairo. With the launch of the second edition of Waha Connect, Silicon Waha continues its commitment to empowering entrepreneurs, enhancing the investment environment, and creating new job opportunities in Upper Egypt — all contributing to the country's vision of a modern, sustainable digital economy.
