Empowering Local Entrepreneurs for Sustainable Growth: Andy Cook and the Made in Baltimore Initiative

Step right into 'The Truth in This Art' podcast, guided by your host, Rob Lee. In today’s conversation, I talk with Andy Cook, the visionary behind Made In Baltimore, who boasts a diverse background in urban planning and photojournalism. With a rich professional journey that spanned a decade as a Baltimore and New Orleans photojournalist, Andy transitioned to urban planning, contributing significantly as an Environmental Planner at the Baltimore Office of Sustainability. Here, he championed Waste-To-Wealth, an initiative extracting economic value from sustainable waste diversion. Andy's footprint extended to piloting various programs including Baltimore City Rec & Parks' Camp Small Zero Waste Initiative, Baltimore City Department of Public Works' Grow Centers, and the Baltimore Office of Sustainability's Food Waste Initiative. Armed with a Bachelor of Fine Arts from Cooper Union and a Master of City Planning from MIT, Andy, a Baltimore County native, garnered acknowledgment in 2018 as one of Baltimore Business Journal's 40 Under 40. Residing in the Remington neighborhood, he drives the Made In Baltimore program, harnessing his passions for local entrepreneurship, sustainability, and economic equity to uplift Baltimore City's makers and manufacturers.

In this episode, we explore:

• How Made in Baltimore is transforming the local landscape by fostering local makers, emphasizing values-based consumption, and championing economic equity.
• Delve into the multifaceted definition of sustainability, as discussed by Andy Cook, encompassing environmental, financial, and social considerations, and how this broader perspective drives meaningful change.
• Discuss Andy's perspective on innovation, beyond technology, encompassing a range of sectors and practices, and how this expanded view enhances community development.
• Dive into Baltimore's vibrant creative economy and its potential to lead in regional supply chains, and the role Made in Baltimore plays in this transformative journey.
• Uncover the tangible impact of Made in Baltimore, exploring how it significantly contributes to job creation, fosters diversity, and fuels revenue growth, particularly for women-owned businesses, thereby driving positive change in the local entrepreneurial landscape.

You won't want to skip this one! Andy discusses the mission and impact of the program. Made in Baltimore aims to promote local makers and manufacturers, encourage values-based consumption, and support economic equity in the city. Andy shares how the program began and its focus on helping small businesses grow and thrive. He also emphasizes the importance of sustainability and the need to redefine innovation beyond just technology. Andy highlights the impact of Made in Baltimore in job creation, diversity, and revenue growth for women-owned businesses. He also discusses the cultural identity of Baltimore and the need for cultural exports to change the narrative about the city.

Mentioned in this episode
Made in Baltimore

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Host: Rob Lee
Music: Original music by Daniel Alexis Music with additional music from Chipzard and TeTresSeis.
Production:

• Produced by Rob Lee & Daniel Alexis
• Edited by Daniel Alexis
• Show Notes courtesy of Rob Lee and Transistor

Photos:

• Rob Lee photos by Vicente Martin for The Truth In This Art and Contrarian Aquarian Media.
• Guest photos courtesy of the guest, unless otherwise noted.

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