GBC Unveils “Bold Moves” Economic Brand for Baltimore Region

(Baltimore, Md.) – The Greater Baltimore Committee (GBC) debuted the much-anticipated Baltimore Region economic brand and unveiled the 2024 Annual Investment Scorecard at its second annual Pulse Check: Regional Brand Premiere event today, March 17, at Towson University. The event, attended by nearly 400 business and civic leaders represents the culmination of an extensive two-year placemaking effort to position the Baltimore Region for greater out-of-market business investment that began with the strategic merger of the GBC with the Economic Alliance of Greater Baltimore in December 2022.

“The economic brand represents a collaborative and extensive effort to create unifying way to position our region’s communities for private sector investment and job creation,” said Mark Anthony Thomas, President and CEO of GBC. “The ‘Bold Moves’ brand positioning informed through extensive conversations with our stakeholders will serve as GBC’s versatile platform to build a pipeline of local, national, and international investment opportunities for the region. We invite partners to help us refresh our message to better sell our foundational, lighthouse, and emerging industries and sectors.”

“Maryland’s strength has always been our ability to think big, take bold action, and drive meaningful progress—and the success of the Baltimore Region is critical to the success of our state,” said Wes Moore, Governor of Maryland. “The launch of this new regional economic brand is not just about redefining how we tell Baltimore’s story — it’s about reinforcing our commitment to creating opportunity, attracting investment, and building a more competitive and inclusive economy. The Baltimore Region is ready to lead, and the Moore-Miller Administration looks forward to continuing working closely with the GBC to make this Maryland’s decade.”

“Baltimore has always been a city of firsts — a place where visionaries, entrepreneurs, and innovators come to break barriers and push boundaries,” said Brandon Scott, Mayor of Baltimore City.

“This brand captures the essence of who we are: fearless, forward-thinking, and driven to create real change. With this new identity, we are telling the world what we already know — Baltimore is a powerhouse of talent, creativity, and opportunity. We are ready to welcome those who are bold enough to invest in our future and be part of our continued transformation.”

“Thank you to the Greater Baltimore Committee for its efforts in creating a united brand for the Baltimore region, which is sure to position the area as a globally recognizable destination location and investment opportunity,” said Kathy Klausmeier, Baltimore County Executive. “Our region has so much to offer, and now we have a coordinated, data-informed way to highlight our assets and tell the world our story.”

“The Baltimore Region has a powerful story to tell, and the new regional brand is a vehicle to unify and uplift the community,” said Steuart Pittman, Anne Arundel County Executive. “Thanks to the Greater Baltimore Committee for bringing businesses, leaders, and organizations together to highlight the progress our region has made and inspire future investment.”

“We are enthusiastic about a regional economic brand for the Greater Baltimore region,” said Bob Cassilly, Harford County Executive. “[The brand] brings a unified focus to regional attraction and retention efforts.”

“Howard County is proud to be an essential part of the Greater Baltimore Region, a place where innovation, collaboration, and economic opportunity thrive,” said Calvin B. Ball, III Howard County Executive. “The Baltimore Region Economic Brand is more than just a narrative—it’s a testament to our shared strengths and ambitions. By telling a unified story, we are not just competing; we are leading, attracting the talent, investment, and partnerships that will shape our future. Together, we are building a regional identity that showcases our full potential and ensures we remain a powerhouse in the global economy.”

“This unified regional brand will foster a sense of pride and shared identity across the Greater Baltimore region, empowering partner jurisdictions to tell a compelling story about the region’s unique strengths and opportunities,” said Sandra Edwards, Director of Economic Development, Cecil County. “This initiative will help attract new businesses and investments creating lasting economic growth.”

“The launch of the Baltimore Region Economic Brand is a significant milestone in our collective effort to elevate the region’s strengths, drive economic growth, and attract investment. This unified platform will not only highlight the vast potential of our communities but also position us as a global leader in innovation, talent, and opportunity,” said Dr. Mohan Suntha, President & CEO, University of Maryland Medical System (UMMS) & Board Chair, Greater Baltimore Committee. “By aligning our diverse assets under one compelling story, we will ensure that the world knows the Baltimore Region for its resilience, progress, and unparalleled capacity to thrive in the face of change.”

“The Baltimore Region boasts innovation, diversity and tremendous opportunity,” said Sashi Brown, President, Baltimore Ravens & Co-Chair of the Greater Baltimore Committee Regional Brand Steering Committee. “Highlighted by a unique strength and spirit, our area offers a distinct economic brand that supports local businesses and attracts large-scale events. With ongoing investment in infrastructure, cultural assets and cutting-edge technology, the region is a vibrant destination where visitors and residents thrive.”

“The launch of the Baltimore Region Economic Brand is a transformative step in elevating our region’s profile on the national and global stage” said Augie Chiasera, Co-Chair of Greater Baltimore Committee and M&T Bank Executive Vice President.  “A strong, unified economic identity is key to attracting investment, fostering innovation, and driving sustainable growth. Built on two years of collaboration and data-driven insights, this initiative presents a compelling narrative of our region’s talent, industries, and opportunities. Coupled with the Annual Investment Scorecard, Pulse Check 2025 will showcase our momentum and limitless potential for businesses and investors.”

A New Brand for the Baltimore Region

The GBC, in partnership with Resonance Consultancy Ltd., Ipsos, and Timbre Strategies, unveiled a transformative economic brand initiative aimed at attracting business investment and reshaping perceptions of the region.

As part of the effort to develop a new brand positioning for the Baltimore Region, GBC and Resonance engaged in a four-month-long stakeholder engagement process. This included numerous roundtable discussions with business and civic leaders from across all sectors, as well as a survey of more than 250 business decision-makers from across the country. A key insight that emerged from both qualitative and quantitative research was the perception of Baltimore as a region with a progressive business climate – one that empowers entrepreneurs and companies to take risks that may not be possible in other metropolitan markets. This finding helped shape the economic brand’s “Bold Moves” strategic positioning.

“Baltimore has long been a place of movement and transformation,” said Jeremie Feinblatt, VP of Strategy at Resonance. “Our research and interviews revealed a consistent theme: Baltimore makes bold moves others don’t. This brand is about embracing that momentum and inviting others to invest in the region’s future.”

The Power of Bold Moves

The boldness of the Baltimore Region isn’t just a theme—it’s woven into the fabric of the region’s history. From the first mile of railroad and pioneering streetlights to leading advancements in life sciences, manufacturing, and national security, the Baltimore Region has always made bold moves that define its identity.

This branding initiative emphasizes that momentum. It’s about pushing boundaries and creating a future where bold action drives economic growth. Through Bold Moves, the region is leading innovation and positioning itself as a global leader in progress.

The Annual Investment Scorecard plays a vital role in this initiative by quantifying the impact of investments across the region and providing a data-driven foundation for economic storytelling. The All In 2035 Economic Opportunity Plan, GBC’s roadmap for sustained regional growth, guides these efforts—aligning strategic priorities, identifying opportunities, and ensuring that the Baltimore Region’s economic progress is both measurable and actionable. Together, the scorecard and the Bold Moves brand initiative create a comprehensive framework for business attraction and long-term investment growth.

The brand development process included extensive stakeholder engagement, data analysis, and national benchmarking to create a compelling and cohesive identity for the Baltimore Region’s economic future. The Bold Moves brand positioning will serve as the foundation for regional business attraction strategies across foundational and growth industries, marketing campaigns, and global tradeshow industry events.

Investment Scorecard Underscores Growth

In addition to the brand unveiling, GBC shared key insights from the 2024 Annual Investment Scorecard, which tracks major economic deals across Baltimore’s six-county region and Baltimore City. This year’s data, sourced from jurisdictional economic development organizations, the Maryland Department of Commerce, and regional business partners, revealed:

• $4.45 billion in announced investments deals
• $3.9 billion in 147 announced development deals
• $569 million in 85 venture capital announced deals
• 232 announced total deals
• 11,519 direct jobs with an estimated $2.34 billion in labor income generated
• $670 million in total tax revenue across local, state, and federal taxes
• 19 out-of-state expansions, including 6 international projects
• Manufacturing captured $1 out of every $7 invested across the region
• All six counties and Baltimore City experienced continued investment

“We continue to sustain investment across the region, and manufacturing is emerging as the backbone of this economic expansion,” said Lakey Boyd, Chief Economic Officer of GBC. “Our ability to capitalize on national trends in construction, infrastructure, and manufacturing positions the Baltimore Region as a premier destination for long-term growth.”

Industry Leaders Weigh In

This year’s Pulse Check summit featured a lineup of speakers who spoke to regional investment trends, workforce development, economic growth strategies, and the extent to which the Bold Moves brand positioning can be utilized in telling the story of their respective industries. Event panelists included:

• Mark R. Ginsberg, President of Towson University;
• Karen Holt, Director of Economic Development for Harford County;
• Jeannie Howe, Executive Director of the Greater Baltimore Cultural Alliance;
• Jonathan Sachs, Director of Economic & Workforce Development for Baltimore County;
• Aaron Tomarchio, EVP of Corporate Affairs at Tradepoint Atlantic
• Claudia Jolin, Executive Director of Baltimore Peninsula Partnership
• Kory Bailey, Chief Ecosystem Officer at UpSurge Baltimore
• Bill Jones, SVP of Global Operations at EVAPCO, Inc.
• Ken Malone, Co-Founder of Early Charm Ventures

Where Do We Go From Here

With the new economic brand now unveiled, GBC will continue engaging regional partners and business leaders to activate the brand strategy and position Baltimore as a leading destination for investment. The organization’s next major milestone will be the Baltimore Region Investment Summit on May 15, 2025, an official SelectUSA Investment Summit spinoff.

“This brand is a call to action,” said Thomas. “We are inviting businesses, investors, and innovators to be part of the Baltimore Region’s transformation. Our story is one of momentum, resilience, and progress—this is just the beginning.”

For more details on the Baltimore Region economic brand and investment opportunities and to view the 2024 Annual Investment Scorecard and All in 2035 Economic Opportunity Plan, visit gbc.org.

To view the visual identity for the new Bold Moves brand positioning, visit investinbaltimoreregion.org. 

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ABOUT THE GREATER BALTIMORE COMMITTEE

The Greater Baltimore Committee (GBC) is the leading voice for the private sector in the Baltimore region, providing economic and civic leadership to drive collective impact. Representing more than 400 organizations, GBC advocates for policies and investments that foster the prosperity of the Greater Baltimore region. For more information, visit gbc.org.