11-20-12: A New Development Director

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BDC-1120.mp3

Yesterday, after a nine-month wait, Mayor Stephanie Rawlings-Blake announced the next president of the Baltimore Development Corporation—someone NOT from Baltimore:  Brenda McKenzie.

"In her nearly two decades of experience overseeing development in two major American cities, she’s implemented strategies to attract businesses, create jobs, and energize neighborhoods," said Rawlings-Blake at the City Hall press conference.

McKenzie worked in development most recently in Boston, and before that in Chicago.  She gave her reasons for coming to Baltimore: "It’s a great opportunity to expand and grow the city by focusing on the whole: the strong neighborhoods, the businesses, downtown, and how all of those working together can bolster the overall economy."

Sheilah talks about McKenzie's appointment with Mark Reutter, who’s covered the Baltimore Development Corporation—among other things--for the Baltimore Brew, and with Thomas Grillo who’s the Real Estate Editor for the Boston Business Journal.  He covers the Boston Redevelopment Authority, which Brenda McKenzie is now leaving.