Local impact earns Milestone honor from DRC

by Sara Blumberg

    This is the fourth of The Eagle’s profiles of the 2012 recipients of the Dundalk Renaissance Corporation’s Milestone Awards.

    Every year the Dundalk Renaissance Corporation (DRC) recognizes an organization among its Renaissance Milestone Award recipients.
    For 2012, the DRC has decided to honor the Port of Baltimore for its continued efforts to help revitalize the Dundalk community.
   

Accepting the award will be officials of the Maryland Port Administration and the Baltimore Port Alliance.
    According to the DRC, for years the port has played an active role in partnering with local community organizations on everything from environmental initiatives to economic development.
    In addition, the port has worked with schools including Dundalk High School to teach students more about port operations.
    According to DRC director Amy Menzer, the choosing of the port was easy.
    “As one of our major employers, their health and growth creates opportunities for Dundalk’s residents now and in the future, as well as creating new business for port-
related industries,” she said.
    The Port has taken steps to create a greener community through sustainable environmental changes to daily operations. It is hoped that, in the long run, reducing emissions will create cleaner neighborhoods.
    “We think that the Port is a model industrial neighbor and we look forward to continuing to work with them as a partner in the future revitalization of the greater Dundalk area,” Menzer said.
    In addition, when it comes to dredging, the port has made an effort to include the community in planning, mainly through the work of the Harbor Team, a joint public-private group that advises on port issues.
    In 2008, the port handled $45.3 billion worth of imports and exports, a seven percent increase from 2007.
    “The DRC salutes the Port of Baltimore and all its private and public sector contributors for being an economic engine that supports the present and future growth of our community,” Menzer said.