The Greater Baltimore Committee (GBC) and Johns Hopkins University and Medicine have announced a significant transition in the management of the BLocal program, a pivotal economic impact initiative. Since its inception in 2016, BLocal has been co-led by Johns Hopkins, focusing on fostering local hiring, procurement, and investment within the Baltimore region. This transition to GBC signifies a new chapter for BLocal, with the committee undertaking a feasibility study to guide the initiative’s future direction and ensure its enduring success.

BLocal expanded upon the foundations laid by HopkinsLocal, Johns Hopkins’ commitment to local building, buying, hiring, and investing, by engaging the broader business community in similar endeavors. The initiative has demonstrated remarkable success, with initial commitments exceeding $69 million in its first three years and partners spending over $1.4 billion on local businesses and hiring more than 4,000 Baltimore City residents between 2016 and 2021.

The integration of BLocal with the Baltimore Integration Partnership (BIP) under GBC’s stewardship represents a strategic move to consolidate efforts aimed at economic inclusion. This amalgamation is expected to leverage the strengths of both initiatives, creating a unified platform under the BLocal brand that aligns with GBC’s Multi-Year Agenda for inclusive economic growth.

Maria Harris Tildon of Johns Hopkins University and Medicine expressed pride in the university’s role in BLocal’s founding and its ongoing commitment as a member institution. Mark Anthony Thomas, President and CEO of GBC, highlighted the transformative potential of business-led, place-based investments and GBC’s unique position to lead BLocal into its next phase.

A feasibility study, supported by the Annie E. Casey Foundation, will explore how to structure a renewed BLocal for maximum impact, starting with a ‘hire local’ initiative. This study is a critical step in GBC’s plan to relaunch BLocal by early 2026, with the aim of deepening economic opportunities for Baltimore’s communities through strategic hiring, purchasing, investment, and living initiatives.

Johns Hopkins remains dedicated to utilizing its economic influence to benefit Baltimore, while GBC looks forward to building on the legacy of BLocal and BIP to foster a more prosperous and inclusive regional economy.

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