Johns hopkins recently unveiled a new effort to use its collective purchasing and hiring power to strengthen Baltimore by promoting economic growth and job opportunities for city residents.

HopkinsLocal is a commitment to increase design and construction contracts with local minority- and women-owned businesses, to expand the number of new hires that come from city neighborhoods where employment opportunities are needed, and to build relationships with more city-based vendors. The initiative, which includes The Johns Hopkins University and the Johns Hopkins Health System, will also enhance Johns Hopkins’ ongoing efforts to support diversity in its workforce and among its business partners.

BUILD: Johns Hopkins will work to expand participation from certified minority, women and other disadvantaged businesses across its portfolio of construction projects. It will implement a local hiring policy to require contractors to make a good-faith effort to hire local residents for new jobs that result from construction projects.

HIRE: The university and health system will increase employment of city residents while supporting the growth and retention of local and underrepresented employees. The two entities will aim to ensure that 40 percent of new hires in targeted jobs are from selected ZIP codes that are in need of economic opportunities. They will also focus on recruitment of Baltimore residents for positions at all levels and on expanding partnerships with organizations that help identify and prepare individuals for careers with Johns Hopkins.

BUY: Johns Hopkins will increase spending with local businesses, including those owned by minorities and women, by as much as $6 million over the next three years. It will increase outreach to local and disadvantaged businesses to engage them in the competitive bidding process and support employees to buy local by providing a directory of prescreened vendors from which to purchases goods and services.

As seen in the 2016 Biennial Report. Learn more.