ABOUT US
Made in Baltimore supports makers and manufacturers in Baltimore City, connecting businesses to the tools they need to grow, create jobs, and strengthen our local economy.
OUR MISSION
2020 MIB MEMBER STATS
We support makers and manufacturers in Baltimore City. Our mission is simple: Encourage investment in Baltimore’s economy by growing the market for locally-made goods and supporting the people who make them.
At the heart of our program is a strong community of manufacturers, retailers and maker spaces working together to create and promote locally-made products. Our growing network of over 200 product-based businesses ranges from home-based maker to large scale manufacturer. See the award-winning products they make in our business directory .
We provide support services to our business network. From our retail concepts featuring local product lines, free business development workshops and resources, robust print and media campaigns, connections with large institutions and universities, and ongoing work to advance policy for urban manufacturing, Made In Baltimore is working constantly to elevate makers and manufacturers in the city of Baltimore.
Jobs Supported This Year
%
Woman-Owned Businesses
Annual Revenue
%
Minority-Owned Businesses
Why We Support Shopping Local
We amplify the stories of Baltimore’s makers and celebrate our city’s long history as a prominent manufacturing hub. Not only does shopping locally provide a direct investment in the very character and spirit of Baltimore City, it also circulates more dollars in the local economy, creating economic growth opportunities for small businesses. As these businesses grow, they create living-wage jobs for more Baltimore residents, and help re-populate our historic main streets and manufacturing centers.
Our History
In Summer of 2015, a network of makers and makerspaces called the Industrial Arts Collective (IAC) ran the first ‘Made In Baltimore Pop-Up Shop’ in Baltimore’s Station North neighborhood. The shop featured products by over 80 Baltimore City-based businesses, with the mission of offering Baltimoreans an easy opportunity to buy locally made products all in one place. It was so well-received, the organizers knew they needed to build on the momentum.
A year and a half later, IAC co-organizer Andy Cook founded The Made In Baltimore Program at the Baltimore Office of Sustainability. The central feature of the program allowed businesses to use the MIB logo on their product packaging. This ‘local branding’ let shoppers know they were supporting a local business, and helped build public awareness of the importance of ‘buying local’.
While our mission and team have grown and evolved, our goals have remained the same: support local manufacturers, grow living wage jobs, and inspire pride in our city through a thriving local economy. In 2018, Made in Baltimore became a program of the Baltimore Development Corporation, a 501(c)(3) organization, where we continue to expand our support for small businesses.
To date, Made In Baltimore has supported over 200 product based businesses in Baltimore City through retail, business development programs and media campaigns. Our annual retail concepts have generated over $200,000 in sales revenue for local makers.
Staff
Andy Cook
Executive Director
Andy Cook is the founder and Executive Director of Made In Baltimore. After a decade spent telling stories of progress and innovation as a photojournalist in Baltimore and New Orleans, Andy shifted focus to pursue a career in urban planning. As an Environmental Planner at the Baltimore Office of Sustainability, Andy helped launch Waste-To-Wealth, a program capturing economic value from sustainable waste diversion. Baltimore City Rec & Parks’ Camp Small Zero Waste Initiative, Baltimore City Department of Public Works’ Grow Centers, and Baltimore Office of Sustainability’s Food Waste Initiative are all programs Andy piloted during that time.
A native of Baltimore County, Andy holds a Bachelor of Fine Arts from Cooper Union, and a Master of City Planning from MIT. In 2018 he was recognized as one of Baltimore Business Journal’s 40 Under 40. He lives in the Remington neighborhood.
andy @ madeinbaltimore.org
Brian Seymore
Program Manager
Brian Seymore is an artist and consultant from West Baltimore who has spent his career advocating for the independence and economic engagement of fellow artist,makers and designers in Baltimore City. As Program Manager for Made In Baltimore will continue this work and is proud to be a part of an institution dedicated to putting the needs of Baltimore’s creative community first.
programs@madeinbaltimore.org
Sarah Harrington
Digital Communications Specialist
Sarah Harrington comes from a background in architecture and believes good design is the best communication tool. As a proud Baltimore native, she is continually inspired by the makers and manufacturers that give magic to this place we call Charm City. Sarah loves to create and has her own swimwear brand called Solaya Swim.
sarah@madeinbaltimore.org
Randy Lewis
Retail Program Manager