Will businesses benefit from stadium upgrades?

We are always cheering for our home teams and appreciate the fans and visitors who support local businesses within walking distance of Oriole Park at Camden Yards and M&T Bank Stadium.

Pigtown’s breweries, restaurants, shops and homes are so close that we can hear the beloved “O” during the “Star-Spangled Banner” and cheers for a touchdown.

The new installations of a beer hall and more services at M&T and the rumors about development around Camden Yards are causing apprehension and excitement simultaneously to local businesses in the stadium area district (“Ravens’ $430M state-funded stadium upgrades to roll out in 2024, include 3 plazas, expanded concourses,” Dec. 12).

The state funding could be seen as creating more of an economic island that mostly benefits the teams and may harm local neighborhood economies. The agencies and developers involved in both stadium projects seem to not value or consider the impact on or seek to partner with local neighborhoods or businesses.

From the lack of outreach to the lack of intentional connection to local businesses, this is disappointing and frustrating, especially considering the amount of state dollars attached to the stadium projects.

While the state is spending over $430 million to fund installations like a beer hall, will it ensure local beer brewed in Baltimore will be served there without charging exorbitant vendor fees? How will hundreds of millions of state dollars provided to the Ravens’ stadium benefit local businesses and neighborhoods? Is there a local hiring requirement? Will Camden Yards and the Ravens help to promote local businesses?

The hope is that with the hundreds of millions of dollars of state funds going to support stadium upgrades, the occupants will support growth of local businesses and communities.

— Kim Lane, Baltimore

The writer is executive director of Pigtown Main Street.