Owings Mills group fights sour image.(Owings Mills Development Council)(Brief Article)(Statistical Data Included)

Eight local developers have formed an organization to market Owings Mills to growing companies -- in an effort to counter a perception that the area is an undesirable place to locate businesses.

The Owings Mills Development Council, which will meet for the first time later this month, includes charter members Continental Realty Corp., David S. Brown Enterprises, Manekin Corp., Merritt Properties LLC, MBA LLC, Nottingham Properties Inc., the Rouse Co. and Transwestern/Carey Winston. These firms all have existing buildings in Owings Mills or projects on the way.

To jump start the endeavor, the council has already hired MGH Advertising Inc. of Owings Mills to …