Bria Overs - The Baltimore Banner
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Bria Overs

Bria

Bria Overs is a business reporter at The Baltimore Banner. She covers small business and consumer and economic trends, with a special interest in minority- and women-owned businesses, technology and labor. She previously worked at Business Insider, Word In Black and contributed to local publications in Los Angeles, her hometown.

The latest from Bria Overs

The now-closed Bark Social location on Boston Street in Baltimore in 2024.
Two Bark Social locations could reopen under new ownership
A Maryland-based company agreed last month to purchase Bark Social's locations in Canton and Columbia.
Jul 8, 2025
GBC President and CEO Mark Anthony Thomas, left, and EDA Tech Hubs Program Director Eric Smith.
How Baltimore’s Tech Hub plans to navigate the Trump era — and win $70 million
The Baltimore Tech Hub missed out on two federal funding opportunities. A redo under the Trump administration is opening the door for Baltimore.
Jun 30, 2025
Baltimore Gas and Electric Compaby and other utility customers will receive an estimated $80 rebate, which will be applied to two utility bills.
BGE customers could get rebates of $80, starting as soon as August
Maryland legislators earmarked $200 million for rebates to utility customers earlier this year. An estimated $80 per customer could appear on bills as soon as August.
Jun 27, 2025
More than 20% of the office space in Baltimore’s central business district is vacant, according to a quarterly report from CBRE.
BGE wants you to turn your thermostat up. Vacant offices aren’t held to the same standard.
About 20% of Baltimore's downtown offices are vacant, but property owners are likely still keeping them air-conditioned.
Jun 26, 2025
AmeriCorps denied the Notre Dame Mission Volunteers a $4.6 million grant.
AmeriCorps denies $4.6M grant to Notre Dame Mission Volunteers
Notre Dame Mission Volunteers will cut staff and reduce the number of participants after AmeriCorps denied its request for a $4.6 million grant.
Jun 25, 2025
HER Resiliency Center, a nonprofit serving 18- to 25-year-old women in Baltimore and Washington, plans to use the funds to improve the organization’s workforce development program, Triple Crown Academy.
Maryland awards $4 million to boost workforce development in construction
Eight workforce development organizations across Maryland were awarded $500,000 each to bolster their programs addressing apprenticeships in the construction industry.
Jun 20, 2025
A JCPenney sign is displayed at one of the company's department store locations. The sign is plain white lettering against a brick wall.
JCPenney will finally close doors at Annapolis Mall store in August
The Texas-based retail company was unable to negotiate a long-term lease or find another suitable location in the area.
Jun 17, 2025
Otis Rolley has been named the new CEO of the Baltimore Development Corp.
Otis Rolley selected to lead the Baltimore Development Corp.
The monthslong search for a leader for the Baltimore Development Corp. comes to an end as Mayor Brandon Scott announces Otis Rolley’s selection for the role.
Jun 13, 2025
United Way of Central Maryland will distribute the relief program to qualifying BGE customers starting on July 1.
BGE customers could see up to $750 in bill relief under new Maryland program
Maryland Gov. Wes Moore announced a partnership between utility companies and nonprofits in the state that will provide $19 million in grants to utility customers.
Jun 12, 2025
Customers work and lounge at Bird in Hand Café and Bookstore in Baltimore.
Who needs Barnes & Noble? The City that Reads is stocked with local bookstores
Barnes & Noble’s Charles Village closure leaves the city without a big-box book retailer, but about two dozen independent bookstores remain.
Jun 10, 2025
FILE - As President Barack Obama and former President Bill Clinton mark the 20th anniversary of the AmeriCorps national service program, hundreds of new volunteers are sworn in for duty at a ceremony, Friday, Sept. 12, 2014, on the South Lawn of the White House in Washington. (AP Photo/J. Scott Applewhite, file)
AmeriCorps must restore grant funding, members to states that sued over cuts, judge rules
AmeriCorps employs more than 500 full-time federal workers and has an operating budget of roughly $1 billion.
Jun 5, 2025
Exterior of Princeton Sports as seen on February 1, 2025 in Baltimore, MD.
Longtime home of Baltimore County’s Princeton Sports gets a new owner
Crosby Jenkins, a Mount Vernon interior design firm, purchased the longtime location of Princeton Sports in Baltimore County.
Jun 4, 2025
Frederick Hoover, chairman of the Maryland Public Service Commission, wants BGE to flatten bills ahead of high-usage summer months.
As BGE bills are set to rise, utility commission demands a delay
The Maryland Public Service Commission is ordering Baltimore Gas and Electric to mitigate the effects of an impending supply-side rate increase by shifting cost recovery to less expensive times of year.
May 30, 2025
The Pikes Studio Cinema will offer new movies along with classic and independent films.
Black-owned Pikesville theater makes a comeback with a new name and owner
Pikes Studio Cinema in Pikesville is replacing the now-defunct Next Act Cinema, which abruptly closed in December 2024.
May 29, 2025
A Black Bear lifts its nose in the air to get a whiff of fresh spring air.
Tri-county bear nabbed, ending reign of roaming across suburban Maryland
Residents of Baltimore and Howard counties have spotted a young black bear roaming backyards and shopping centers in recent weeks.
May 24, 2025
The Herbert A. Wagner Generating Station, foreground, and Brandon Shores Generating Station are seen across Cox Creek from homes in the Stoney Beach community.
Maryland lawmakers demand federal regulator stop expected electricity bill spike
Maryland lawmakers joined a call from the Office of People’s Counsel for the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission to stop supply costs from surging this summer.
May 20, 2025
Gabby Rodriguez, center, goes through the stacks of materials available for purchase as store employee Erica Kim, left, organizes crafting goods inside SCRAP Creative Reuse in Pigtown.
How to do ‘recession core’ — the Baltimore way
Americans are preparing for an economic downturn — a trend that’s evident on “recession core” social media.
May 20, 2025
Alexandria Warrick Adams, executive director of Elev8 Baltimore, said at a Thursday press conference that Maryland communities and children will feel the effects of AmeriCorps cuts.
Maryland loses 550 AmeriCorps positions to Trump administration cuts
Maryland lawmakers and AmeriCorps partners are asking the community to step in to save their organizations and programs as the Trump administration moves to significantly cut the federal agency.
May 8, 2025
Jennifer Dewees, president of MCCEI, speaks at the first Annual Maryland Tradeswomen Summit in March.
Local workforce development organization falls victim to Trump cuts
As the Trump administration targets diversity, equity and inclusion, one of Baltimore's workforce development organizations loses funding.
May 8, 2025
Gov. Wes Moore celebrated Volunteer Maryland’s 30th anniversary during an AmeriCorps service event at the Baltimore Community ToolBank in Baltimore City on March 17, 2023.
Maryland nonprofits and volunteers ‘devastated’ after AmeriCorps abruptly ends service
The Trump administration’s dismantling of AmericCorps leaves volunteers without work and Maryland community programs in a lurch.
Updated May 2, 2025
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