SPARROWS POINT, Md. (WMAR) — Monday night, a groundbreaking deal that could bring more than 17,000 jobs to Baltimore County.
Things are happening at the site of the old Bethlehem steel mill in Sparrows Point.
Big business is booming all around it—and now Tradepoint Atlantic, the company that owns all the space, got a $78 million grant from the county.
“We’ve been devastated by job loss,” said District 7 Councilman Todd Crandell. “We need to do things like this in order for us to reach the full potential and get back to the prosperity where we once were.”
Tradepoint Atlantic originally asked for $150 million but county council voted to give the company up to $78 million.
The money will reimburse Tradepoint Atlantic for building water lines, sewer pipes and roads on the 5 square mile property.
“It’s huge, just go to the 7/11 down the street,” said Gary Klakahl who works at the Operating Engineers Trade School. “Go up and down North Point Blvd, see all the business that are opening up. It’s a huge thing.”
In return the county is asking for 20 percent of the infrastructure work to be done by women or minority owned businesses.
A portion of the property Tradepoint is renovating will be turned into parks, and they will be required to give a full report on wages and conditions.
“As a carpenter I have a family to feed and support,” said Sergio Bautista of the local carpenters union. “This project means not only for my family for everyone in this community, work. That means a way to support their families.”
Tradepoint Atlantic agreed to build a new firefighter academy, firehouse, and police substation.
New County Executive John Olszewski said he supports this bill and is expected to sign it into law.
