Baltimore law firm taps new member; Michelin Guide to add 8 restaurants within driving distance

Good morning Baltimore!

It's going to be sunny and cool again today with temperatures in the low 50s.

Has anyone else started the new season of the Mandalorian? I haven't seen this week's episode but the season opener was fantastic. Who could have predicted a helmeted bounty hunter and a tiny green alien would make such an entertaining and heartwarming duo?

Now, onto the news of the day.

Maryland seeks to expand offshore wind with new bill

Maryland legislators are considering a bill that would further the state's commitment to offshore wind, among other steps aimed at signaling its desire to be a leader in the emerging industry. The legislation primarily seeks to increase Maryland's offshore wind capacity goal from 2,022 megawatts to 8,500 MW by 2031, and directs the state to study and solicit solutions to a major issue the industry will face locally related to transmitting offshore energy to land. The bill comes as states up and down the East Coast are competing heavily for investment from offshore wind developers and as the federal government prepares to open a new mid-Atlantic offshore lease area and dole out billions set aside for renewable energy in the Inflation Reduction Act. It also draws attention to Maryland's position in the industry just weeks before the annual International Offshore Wind Partnering Forum (IPF) from the Oceantic Network is expected to arrive in Baltimore with over 4,000 attendees. [BBJ]

Maryland and Virginia make their final FBI headquarters pitches

Maryland and Virginia state leaders are making their final arguments in a decade-long search for a location for a new multibillion-dollar FBI headquarters. Maryland leaders met with the GSA yesterday and Virginia leaders will have their meeting today. There are three finalists sites in Springfield, at the Greenbelt Metro Station and the former Landover Mall. [BBJ]

Baltimore law firm taps new member

Nemphos Braue LLC has promoted attorney Lauren Ziegler to member at the firm. She was one of the first associates hired after George J. Nemphos and Tim Braue founded the boutique firm in 2016, and is the first attorney to be promoted to member. In a press release, the company said Ziegler has contributed to the firm's growth by spearheading deals and transactions and by taking a strategic-partner approach with clients. She also donates her time to organizations such as serving on the Girls Empowerment Mission board, the Maryland Park Advisory Commission and more.

Baltimore bought $30,000 worth of tickets to CIAA tournament

An investigation by the Baltimore Sun found that Baltimore Mayor Brandon Scott's office purchased $30,000 worth of tickets to the CIAA Tournament last month. That included 50 tickets for each of the seven sessions of men's and women's games, and some attendees were also able to attend concerts at Rams Head Live and a CIAA Fan Fest at the Baltimore Convention Center . Officials with the mayor's office said they got an "early bird" rate on the tickets and after a refund was issued the Central Intercollegiate Athletic Association (CIAA) later rebilled the city for $7,420.

Michelin Guide adds eight D.C. restaurants

Looking for your next fancy dinner out? The MICHELIN Guide will include eight Washington, D.C. restaurants in its 2023 edition, which comes out later this year. It's unclear whether the restaurants will get a Michelin star or a Bib Gourmand, which is used to identify concepts that offer great food and great value. Visit the Washington Business Journal via the link above to see the new additions.

Homeownership gap between Black, white Americans widens

The homeownership rate of Black Americans has only grown 0.4% in the past decade and is nearly 29 percentage points less than white Americans — the largest gap in a decade. The data comes from the National Association of REALTORS? and underscores how a whiplash housing market has disproportionately affected minority households. In 2021, just 44% of Black households owned their homes compared to 73.3% of white households, 50.6% of Hispanic Americans and 62.8% of Asian-Americans. [BBJ]

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Biden prepares to roll out 2024 budget proposal

The White House will unveil its 2024 budget proposal today and it's expected to potentially preview President Biden's reelection campaign, the Washington Post reports. Experts say the proposal will bring back some of the major economic policy changes put forward shortly after Biden took office that were later scaled back. The budget is likely to touch on expansions to prekindergarten, child care, paid family leave, elder care, housing, the Child Tax Credit and the Medicaid health care program for the poor.

Best Buy will close more stores, open more outlets

Leaders at Best Buy Co. Inc. said they plan to close 20-30 of the chain's large-format stores this year while also opening about 10 outlets, the Minneapolis/St. Paul Business Journal reports. The outlet stores offer open-box and clearance items at a discount and the company has found they attract different customers. Other 百思买 changes include converting some locations into "experience stores" with demo areas, and increasing the size of back rooms for services such as in-store pickup. The idea is to move away from a one-size-fits-all store model.

This newsletter was written by Carley Milligan, Digital Editor at the Baltimore Business Journal. I can be reached at [email protected].?