BALTIMORE--(BUSINESS WIRE)--
Baltimore Gas and Electric Company (BGE) was recently awarded the Downtown Partnership of Baltimore’s 2016 Downtown Baltimore Award in the Arts & Entertainment category. BGE was selected as a recipient for the leadership role it took in helping to produce Light City Baltimore – the first large-scale, international light, music and innovation festival held in the U.S.
“As the lead founding partner of Light City, BGE truly is honored to be recognized for helping to make this amazing festival a reality, and this was only accomplished through great partnerships and the efforts of many dedicated people and businesses," said BGE CEO and Light City Baltimore Festival Chair, Calvin G. Butler Jr. "Light City was a memorable week for our city as so many creative minds put their talents on display and came together to discuss solutions and opportunities for Baltimore and beyond.”
BGE served as the lead sponsor of the free week-long festival, which drew more than 400,000 people to Baltimore from across the city and country. At the heart of the festival was the 1.5-mile BGE Light Art Walk featuring visual artworks, musical and street theater performances and concerts from Rash Field to Harbor East. Light City was produced by the Baltimore Office of Promotion & The Arts.
BGE accepted the award at Downtown Partnership’s annual meeting – a marquee business event that attracts over 700 influential businesses as well as government and community leaders from the Greater Baltimore region. Downtown Partnership acknowledges a select group of partners whose work in the area has impacted the community in a considerable way.
Light City Baltimore is credited with contributing more than $33 million to the local economy and bringing together festival goers, entrepreneurs, thinkers, business leaders and artists. BGE’s sponsorship also helped mark the company’s 200th anniversary as the first gas company in the U.S. BGE continues its sponsorship of Light City in 2017, and Butler will co-chair the event. The 2017 festival will expand to 10 days beginning March 31 and running through April 8, 2017.
BGE plays an integral role in working with Maryland communities to address economic development, public safety, civic issues and other initiatives that help enhance the neighborhoods it serves. Through the use of shareholder dollars, BGE supports programs that deliver measurable and sustainable impact in areas of education, environment, community development and arts and culture.
BGE, founded in 1816 as the nation’s first gas utility, is Maryland’s largest natural gas and electric utility. Headquartered in Baltimore, BGE delivers power to more than 1.25 million electric customers and more than 650,000 natural gas customers in central Maryland. The company’s approximately 3,200 employees are committed to the safe and reliable delivery of natural gas and electricity, as well as enhanced energy management, conservation, environmental stewardship and community assistance. BGE is a subsidiary of Exelon Corporation (NYSE: EXC), the nation’s leading competitive energy provider. Like us on Facebook and follow us on Twitter, YouTube and Flickr.
Downtown Partnership of Baltimore is a non-profit corporation creating a more vibrant Downtown community for businesses, property owners, residents, and employees. Through its many initiatives, Downtown Partnership improves Downtown’s quality of life by increasing investment, retaining business, solving transportation challenges, improving parks and green space, and creating workforce development opportunities. For more than 30 years, these programs have been good for Downtown and good for Baltimore. www.GoDowntownBaltimore.com @DowntownBalt
View source version on businesswire.com: http://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20160922006120/en/
