Johns Hopkins marks a decade of fueling economic opportunity in Baltimore

Since its founding nearly 150 years ago, Johns Hopkins University has made it part of its mission to serve its home city of Baltimore. In that spirit, the university in 2015 launched HopkinsLocal, a comprehensive effort to promote economic growth and employment opportunities throughout the city. What started as a pledge to Baltimore to 'Build, Buy, and Hire' ('Invest' was added later in 2019) within its city limits has grown into a lasting commitment to its residents. 

Since its launch, the program continues to surpass its goals; the university and health system have invested $1.05 billion in Baltimore-based businesses, with $360 million directed to local design and construction companies. They have also employed more than 2,100 justice-involved individuals and allocated more than $287 million to local investment firms. 

"Over the past decade, the success of HopkinsLocal has sprung forth from our enduring bet on Baltimore and conviction to build, buy, hire, and invest in ways that realize the great promise of our city," said Ron Daniels, president of Johns Hopkins University. "In the face of this uncertain moment for so many of our communities, we remain unwaveringly committed to our charge to broaden pathways to economic opportunity and generational wealth for our neighbors and partners." 

Ten years later, HopkinsLocal continues to harness the economic power of Johns Hopkins University and Johns Hopkins Medicine to expand and enhance economic growth, employment, and investment in Baltimore.

"Since its inception a decade ago, HopkinsLocal has successfully leveraged the economic power of the Johns Hopkins Health System to expand opportunity and empower the Baltimore community," said Theodore DeWeese, dean of the medical faculty and CEO of Johns Hopkins Medicine. "We have seen transformative impacts as a result of local building, buying, and hiring, and as we look ahead to the next 10 years, we will continue challenging ourselves to find new ways to enhance and better target our efforts."

This year, the program added Tealbook to its catalog of resources. Tealbook serves as a directory that offers staff, students, and faculty recommendations for local businesses to support, fostering community engagement.

While Johns Hopkins has exceeded its current goals for HopkinsLocal, an external review conducted last year found that the program has the potential to have an even greater impact. HopkinsLocal has set the bar even higher with its goals for fiscal year 2026, aiming to: 

• Increase local hiring to 52% 
• Increase spending with local businesses by $25 million
• Achieve 20% of addressable spend with local businesses 
• Increase the investment of the Johns Hopkins endowment with diverse and women-owned investment firms by $150 million 

"Now more than ever, it is essential that we come back to the core mission of HopkinsLocal," said Maria Harris Tildon, vice president of government, community and economic partnerships for Johns Hopkins University and Medicine. "At its heart, this program empowers the Baltimore community and creates opportunities for all. We remain committed to this mission, both now and for the next decade."

HopkinsLocal is hosting and participating in several events this year to celebrate this milestone, including:

• Thursday, April 24: Turnaround Tuesday Career Fair, CDC Community Center located at 2636 W North Ave.
• Wednesday, April 30: Mayor's High School Graduate Career Fair, Coppin State University, Physical Education Complex, 2523 Gwynns Falls Pkwy Baltimore, MD 21216