The Port: Engine of Recovery

One of Maryland's - and America's - best eco-
nomic success stories is the Port of Baltimore: one of
the most important conduits between our nation's
markets and trading partners throughout the world.

Ranked as one of America's busiest deepwater
ports, the Port of Baltimore serves as a gateway to
America's industrial and agricultural heartland since
it is located 200 miles closer to the Midwest than any
other U.S. East Coast port.

It also serves one of the country's fastest grow-
ing population centers: the Baltimore-Washington
corridor. This prime geographic location and a
superior inland transportation network combine to
offer convenience and cost efficiency to shippers
using the port.

Port activity sustains an estimated 87,000 jobs
and generates nearly $1.3 billion in economic impact,
including more than $140 million in state and local
taxes.

Nearly 100 steamship lines call at the Port of
Baltimore every year, connecting with a multitude of
cargo terminals dotting the port's 45-mile shoreline.
Shipbuilding and repair facilities, foreign trade
zones and intermodal rail service also help the make
the Port of Baltimore a world-class, full-service port.
During 1994, the port welcomed seven steam-
ship lines and reported an 18% increase in general
cargo to nearly six million tons - one of the highest
levels in a decade.

"Maryland has excellent credit
characteristics, with a
diversified economic base,
conservative policies, and a
moderate burden of debt
relative to resources."

Fitch Investors Service, Inc.,
May 13, 1994

Photo by Tricia C. Pidlaoan

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