No one has to be reminded that we are living in perilous times economically. The collapse of trusted, old-line firms like Lehman Brothers and Merrill Lynch, the pending sale of Constellation Energy, the bailout bill and the general malaise have all of us checking what’s left of our 401(k)s and running for cover.

But while there are no easy answers and no quick fixes, there is some good news mixed in with all of the bad, and it’s happening right here in Greater Baltimore. Despite all of the fluctuations on Wall Street, a number of local companies are not only continuing to grow, but are having a real effect in their respective industries.