With two new outdoor kiosks, Baltimore Peninsula Partnership aims to pay it forward with a new residency program.  “We really want to support local small minority businesses, especially when the access to capital is different, sometimes non-existent,” said Chenire Carter, Chi ef Engagement Strategist for the Baltimore Peninsula Partnership.  Baltimore Peninsula is the redevelopment of the neighborhood previously known as Port Covington.  The Baltimore Peninsula Partnership (BPP) is the organization behind programming, maintenance, and amenities for the Baltimore Peninsula’s Business Improvement District. BPP works with property owners, residents, and stakeholders to foster an inclusive community at Baltimore Peninsula.  The Launchpad will be an 11-week program consisting of two-week residencies where business owners will run one of the two mobile kiosks.  Residencies will be assigned on a first-come, first-served basis. It is encouraged to apply as soon as possible.  An artist rendering depicts a closed kiosk in the park. Credit: Baltimore Peninsula Partnership. Applications are open and free; with BPP asking applicants to wait 7-10 business days for a response, and they will announce the first group of participating businesses in mid-April. The program will run from May 4 through Oct. 5.  Baltimore City residents, women-owned businesses and businesses run by underrepresented communities will be given priority. While no specific type of business is required, products must be appropriate for public vending.  Participants must staff kiosks on both weekends of the residency and weekday availability is encouraged.  While based at Rye Street Park, the kiosks can move within the neighborhood during major events.  Explaining the meaning behind the name, Carter said, “We hope to be an example and a launchpad for other neighborhoods to do something similar. The whole of downtown and Baltimore could thrive for doing something very simple like this, allowing small businesses to be seen, to be witnessed, to experiment.”  There will be no vending fees, and BPP will give participants a stipend in exchange for data on sales and customers who visit the kiosk.  “We’re providing each one of them with a stipend because I think that that will also motivate them to know that someone believes in the CEO of this small business enough to invest in it.”  With social media expertise and their own online brand, BPP plans to assist the selected local businesses in marketing for their time on the waterfront.  If The Launchpad proves successful, the plan is to eventually have a “village” of kiosks. Creating lasting partnerships between BPP and participating local businesses is the end goal of the program.  For information on The Launchpad program click here.  ...read more read less