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MagicWorks reports growth in students, mentors and startup support in semiannual update to Westminster council
Summary
MagicWorks presented a semiannual update to the Westminster mayor and common council, reporting program enrollments, mentor engagement, upcoming cohorts and a pending EDA-funded economic report; staff and council thanked the organization for community partnerships.
MagicWorks, the Westminster nonprofit that operates the ARC technology and makerspace, told the mayor and common council on Sept. 8 that it has increased program participation and continued to expand partnerships and entrepreneurship supports.
In a presentation to the council, Kim Sandals, executive director of MagicWorks, said the nonprofit had served “since January over a 100 students,” engaged “30-plus mentors and volunteers,” and helped about 15 entrepreneurial connections during the January–June reporting period. Sandals said six startup cohorts will begin this fall and that two angel-investing network events are planned.
The update said MagicWorks runs technology education programs in cybersecurity, robotics and artificial intelligence and operates a startup incubation program that refers entrepreneurs to the Small Business Development Center. Sandals highlighted recent summer camps and said growth in program revenue was driven in part by full summer offerings and that fall classes opened with wait lists within 10 days of registration.
The presentation noted several student outcomes: four high school interns were accepted to four‑year colleges with scholarships and one received a full scholarship, which MagicWorks attributed in part to recommendation letters and extracurricular support provided by the organization. Sandals also said sponsorships and grants totaled roughly $29,000 for the reporting period (about $14,000 in sponsorships and about $15,000 in grant funds, as reported).
Sandals described partnerships with Carroll County Workforce Development, Carroll Tech and Innovation Council, McDaniel College, Carroll Community College, and local economic development organizations. She said MagicWorks is finishing an Economic Development Administration (EDA) grant report titled GrowMD, expected in October, that will run about 60 pages and examine rural community economic characteristics in the region.
Mayor and council members thanked MagicWorks for hosting visiting state officials at the ARC facility and for the organization’s role in downtown and youth programming. The mayor noted MagicWorks’ use of the city’s gigabit fiber during a recent senator’s visit. Council members praised the nonprofit’s role in workforce development and entrepreneurship support.
Looking ahead, Sandals said MagicWorks will host cybersecurity competitions in October, a community fundraiser in November and revive a holiday plant sale in December. She also said the makerspace is seeing increased use from entrepreneurs seeking prototype support and that MagicWorks is developing an upskilling training program tied to workforce needs.
The mayor and council did not take formal action on the update; MagicWorks’ presentation was received as information.
