It took three years to make happen and involved more delays than anticipated.
But in the end, Matt Hitt, president of Baltimore Truck Wash, said it was worth the effort.
On Nov. 20, Hitt, a certified public accountant, opened the truck washing facility right off Interstate 95.
“I actually got the idea from a client,” Hitt said.
He was planning to partner with the client but ended up taking on the task as well as bringing some other investors on board.
The client had picked a 5625 O?Donnell St. location ? a former Exxon gas station, which happened to be across the street from a truck stop.
Hitt spent $300,000 on environmental cleanup of the property, including removing the underground gas tanks.
But by locating in Baltimore and creating dozens of jobs, he was able to qualify for some business tax credits if he hired local residents.
Hitt and his silent partners figure they have the perfect location. It?s near a truck stop. It is literally near the end of an exit ramp off I-95 and it is not far from the Port of Baltimore.
“About 16,000 trucks pass by everyday,” Hitt said.
He said that he gets real personal satisfaction by being able to offer second-chance jobs to ex-convicts and former substance abusers who are well on their way to rebuilding their lives. Hitt said he worked with the city to identify community groups that could help him find workers who needed a second chance at a job. The truck wash looks to employe about 60 workers.
“This is hard work, but we have some good men working for us,” Hitt said.
The goal is to clean a truck in 10 to 11 minutes. Currently, they are handling about 60 trucks a day on daily shifts of 10 a.m. to 7 p.m. They hope to go to 24 hours, Hitt said.
Paul Martin, operations coordinator for Baltimore Station, a drug rehabilitation project, said 15 men from his shop were hired by Hitt.
“This is one of the greatest opportunities we?ve had,” said Martin.
“We need businesses in the community to help reacclimate some of our gentleman into our society,” Martin said.
He praised Hitt for offering jobs that included a “decent working wage” and providing health care benefits.
“We are hoping business will boom and he can hire more men,” Martin said.
