Maryland Business Community Advances Growth and Opportunity

BALTIMORE, Sept. 16, 2026 /PRNewswire/ -- The Maryland Marketing Partnership, which helps drive Maryland's branding and marketing efforts to attract businesses, create jobs, and grow the state's economy, today shared a summary of the latest news from companies and organizations that invest in the partnership.

"Businesses and organizations across Maryland are finding new ways to grow, innovate, and create opportunity," said Harry Coker Jr., Secretary of the Maryland Department of Commerce. "From expanding our life sciences and technology sectors to investing in communities, supporting a more resilient energy future and bringing new development to Maryland, these efforts reflect the strength and diversity of our economy."

A joint venture between St. John Properties, Inc. and Somerset Companies LLC has delivered the first phase of Melford Mansions, a luxury multifamily community within Melford Town Center in Bowie, Maryland. Upon final completion, Melford Mansions, located in Prince George's County, will feature eight buildings totaling 435 apartment homes. St. John Properties also announced professional services firm KCI Technologies, Inc. will move its headquarters and 300 employees to the North Park business community in Q2 2027, and Ciena Corporation moved its office and employees from the BWI area to 8150 Maple Lawn Boulevard in Howard County, Maryland this summer.

BGE, Maryland's largest natural gas and electric utility, along with Delmarva Power and Pepco, filed their 2027-2029 EmPOWER Maryland proposals with the Maryland Public Service Commission (PSC) on September 1, 2026. As directed by the PSC, each utility submitted two scenarios that would help achieve energy savings goals established by the 2026 Utility RELIEF Act, as well as focus on reducing customer costs, in line with the spirit of the Act. Both scenarios achieve 100% of their respective energy-saving goals and would lead to lower EmPOWER costs on customer bills. The proposals are projected to deliver meaningful customer benefits that help households and businesses save energy, while reducing strain on Maryland's electric grid.

M&T Bank released its 2025 Sustainability Report, outlining measurable progress in supporting communities, investing in employees and managing environmental impact while advancing long-term resilience. Key highlights from 2025 include $7.8 billion committed in total sustainable finance loans and investments, $1.2 billion funded to renewable energy projects, exceeding M&T's five-year, $1 billion commitment by 21%, and an 18% reduction in Scope 1 and 2 greenhouse gas emissions from operations compared to 2023.

TEDCO, Maryland's venture capital arm for technology and life sciences companies, continues gearing up to host another Entrepreneur Expo where attendees will have the opportunity to network, learn and be inspired. Among the different sessions for the event include discussions on Maryland's lighthouse industries, quantum, AI & Blockchain, unlocking capital, and more—register soon at tedcomdexpo.cventevents.com/event/2026. Additionally, the entity continues fueling startups through its resources and investment funds, with recent investments in Unlock, Astek Diagnostics, HopFlyt as well as recent support for SyndexAI and others. Finally, the entity announced several recognitions, including Jean-Luc Park's participation in Leadership Baltimore County's Class of 2027 and Karen Zuccardi's recognition as a Rising Star. Learn more at tedcomd.com.

Peterson Companies, one of the region's largest privately owned real estate developers, announced the acquisition of 9841 Washingtonian Blvd., a 103,360-square-foot Class A office building within Rio, the company's open-air mixed-use lifestyle center in Gaithersburg, Maryland. The five-story building offers a lakefront setting within an amenity-rich, walkable environment, with access to 760,000 square feet of retail, dining, entertainment and hospitality uses. The acquisition adds to Peterson Companies' portfolio of more than 4 million square feet of Class A office space owned and managed throughout the Washington, D.C. region, including properties at National Harbor, Fairfax Corner and other key locations.

Recent developments in Montgomery County are advancing investment and growth, including the approvals of the first TIF for the $2.7b Viva White Oak development and Job Creation Project ZTA Initiative. The Montgomery County Economic Development Corporation (MCEDC) announced in August the new hire of Dr. Stefanie Trop whose role will be focused on expanding the organization's research and business intelligence capabilities. MCEDC also held an event featuring leaders from Lockheed Martin, Johns Hopkins Medicine, Thales DSI, TrilliumBIO, AstraZeneca, Montgomery College, and the Universities at Shady Grove to showcase how local businesses across industries leverage the County's world-class academic institutions and partners, exceptional quality of life, and economic development resources to attract and retain top talent.

Innovation thrives across the University System of Maryland and its 12 universities, which inspire students, faculty, and alumni to transform their ideas into successful ventures. Next month, aspiring entrepreneurs across Maryland are invited to attend Techstars Startup Weekend, presented by the Dave & Patsy Rommel Center for Entrepreneurship at Salisbury University from October 30 to November 1, 2026. Open to all entrepreneurs, professionals, and students ages 18 and older, this immersive, hands-on event will connect participants with startup founders, mentors, and investors who will demonstrate how to quickly move from an idea to launch. Participants do not need a team or technical background—just a desire to think, work, and build like a startup.

Howard Hughes Communities™ and Saval Foods recently broke ground on a new 230,000-square-foot headquarters in Columbia Gateway, marking a major investment in Howard County. The new facility will bring Saval's corporate operations, Saval Foodservice and 1932 Specialty Produce & Meat together under one roof, supporting the company's continued growth and creating 107 new full-time jobs by 2030. The project reflects Howard Hughes Communities' commitment to creating places where businesses can grow and contribute to the region's long-term economic vitality. The new headquarters further builds on Columbia Gateway's momentum as a destination for companies looking to invest and grow in Howard County.

SECU, Maryland's largest credit union, alongside the SECU MD Foundation, kicks off its annual Kindness Month this October, encouraging acts of service and compassion statewide to make Maryland a better, kinder place. On its annual Day of Kindness, SECU team members will be volunteering alongside partner organizations like Rise Against Hunger, the Baltimore Humane Society, Pack the Shack and more to pay it forward and embody the credit union ethos: people helping people. To learn more, find ways to participate, and track your own acts of kindness this October, visit secukindness.org. No act of kindness is too small!

About Maryland Marketing Partnership
The Maryland Marketing Partnership develops the branding strategy for the state, markets the state's assets, and encourages the location and growth of new businesses in Maryland.

SOURCE Maryland Marketing Partnership