By: Paul Samuel

They’re all featured in this blog post, thanks to a variety of interesting business news developments Tuesday.

Nonprofit employment grew 2 percent in 2009, compared to a statewide drop in total employment of 3.2 percent, according to “Nonprofits by the Numbers,” an annual report published by Maryland Nonprofits, a trade group that advocates for nonprofit organizations.

Over the period from 2004-2009, nonprofit employment grew by 9.5 percent while total employment shrank 2.1 percent, according to the report. Nonprofits in Maryland employ 255,408 people or 10.6 percent of the state’s work force, and account for 10 percent of all wages paid statewide, up from 9.5 percent of the work force and 8.6 percent of wages in 2004.

Click here if you’d like to see the report.

Meanwhile, just in time for Easter, Just Born Inc., a Bethlehem, Pa.-based confectionary company that makes the yellow, pink, lavender, blue and white chick- and bunny-shaped marshmallow candy called Peeps, has launched an online store, www.peepsandcompany.com.

In addition to Peeps, all of the company’s candy brands — Hot Tamales, Mike and Ike, and Peanut Chews — are offered, as well as branded merchandise including apparel, toys, drink ware and more.
The company’s flagship store is located at National Harbor in Prince George’s County.

Also, just in time for March Madness, we learn that nearly one in four online American adults — 23 percent — plan to use some form of social media to follow this year’s men’s NCAA Tournament.

That’s according to research released by IMRE Sports, a Sparks-based sports marketing agency. The research, conducted by Harris Interactive, showed that among those who will use social media to follow March Madness, 27 percent plan to use a mobile application to do so.

March Madness starts on Selection Sunday, March 13, when college basketball team match-ups are announced, then continues virtually nonstop until April 2-4 for the Final Four at Reliant Stadium in Houston, Texas.

Finally, there’s a new study out about beer — specifically, its annual contribution to Maryland’s economy.

A study commissioned by the National Beer Wholesales Association and the Beer Institute shows that the U.S. beer industry — brewers, beer importers, beer distributors and suppliers and retailers — contribute $2.3 billion annually to the state’s economy.

The industry generates nearly 30,000 jobs and pumped $656 million into government coffers thanks to business, personal and consumption taxes, according to the study.

The 48 beer distributors in Maryland employ 1,787 people. Large and small brewers and beer importers employ approximately 238 people. Beer sales help support roughly 18,634 jobs at licensed retailers, which include supermarkets, convenience stores, restaurants, bars, stadiums and other outlets.

“These numbers demonstrate that our industry continues to play an integral role in providing jobs and revenue necessary to heal our recovering economy,” said Joe McClain, president of the Beer Institute, in a statement. “For this reason, it is important that state and federal officials consider equitable tax policies that do not unduly harm an industry that aids economic growth.”

An alcohol tax is being considered in Maryland that would fund health care programs. Supporters say the legislation would increase the alcohol tax by a dime on each drink sold at restaurants and stores and raise about $215 million in revenue.